Have you just had a new baby?

Child health centres
Child and family health nurses provide free health checks for children at key developmental ages between birth and 3½ years. Nurses can also give you information and advice on a range of parenting and family issues. To make an appointment:

• Phone: 1300 064 544 (cost of a local call)
• Hours: 8:30am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday

Healthdirect Australia
This is a free telephone health information and advice service for people in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia:

• Phone: 1800 022 222 (free call)
• Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week

Australian Breastfeeding Association – Breastfeeding helpline
If you’re breastfeeding and need help, trained volunteer counsellors can give you reassurance, information and advice about breastfeeding and overcoming common hurdles to breastfeeding:

• Phone: 1800 MUM 2 MUM (1800 686 268, free call)
• Hours: 24 hours, 7 days

Are you finding parenting harder than you thought?

The Parent Line
This is a telephone information and support service to assist parents and carers with stressful parenting issues and concerns:

• Phone: 1300 808 178 (cost of a local call)
• Hours: 24 hours, 7 days

Parenting centres
These centres offer intensive support for families having difficulties with children aged 0-4 years. The centres provide a day service that includes consultations with social workers, psychologists and child and family health nurses. For more information or to make an appointment:

• Phone: 1300 064 544 (cost of a local call)
• Hours: 8:30am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday

Do you need to find care for your child?

There are four options for child care in Australia:

• home-based care, which is having your child cared for by a friend, relative or nanny in your home
• family day care with a small group of children in an approved carer’s home
• centre-based care, in a child care centre with trained staff and a structured program
• occasional care, which is short-term, centre-based care.

Child care is mainly designed for children aged up to five years, but can also include before-school, after-school and holiday care for primary school-age children.

MyChild
This Australian Government website has information about different types of child care and about government assistance to help with fees. You can search for child care services near you.

You can also get information from the Child Care Access Hotline:

• Phone: 1800 670 305 (free call)
• TTY: 133 677 then ask for 1800 670 305 (for hearing-impaired or speech-impaired callers)
• Hours: 8 am-6 pm, Monday-Friday

Do you want help finding playgroups?

Playgroups are a great way for small children to practise getting along with others and to try new ways to play. They’re good for parents too, with lots of support and social contact in a relaxed, welcoming environment. For more information contact Playgroup Tasmania:

• Phone: 1800 171 882 (free call)
• Hours: 9:30 am-2:30 pm, Monday-Thursday

Is your child ready for kindergarten?

Children who are four years old on 1 January can begin kindergarten in that year. Kindergarten is taught in primary schools  for 15 hours a week, and focuses on learning and socialising skills to help get your child ready for school. The Tasmanian school directory can help you find schools in your area.

You can read more information on starting kindergarten in Tasmania.

Are things worrying you at home and you want someone to talk to?

Relationships Australia – Tasmania
Relationships Australia offers counselling, education programs, mediation services and other help for families and couples:

• Phone: 1300 364 277 (cost of a local call)
• Hours: 9 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday

Does someone in your family have additional needs?

Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services – Disability services
The Tasmanian Government delivers a range of services for people with disability, their families and carers. For more information and to get services, contact Gateway Services:

• Phone:  1800 171 233 (free call)
• Hours: 9 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday (except public holidays)

National Disability Insurance Scheme
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a national scheme to support people with disability and their carers. It’s being introduced gradually throughout Australia and  will replace the current disability support system. In Tasmania, people of different ages will get access to the NDIS at different times. You can find out more about the NDIS in Tasmania.

Are you looking for parenting services in your state?

Infoxchange Service Seeker
This is a directory of community services in Australia. Search for ‘parenting’ to find parenting support and other services in your area.