Child health services
Association for the Wellbeing of Children in Healthcare (AWCH)
This is a national organisation advocating for the needs of children, young people and families in the health system in Australia. This website has resources for families, like tips on preparing for a hospital visit and questions to ask health workers.
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care – Immunisation
The Australian Government provides free immunisation for children aged 0-4 years to protect children from serious diseases. The National Immunisation Program provides immunisation to older people too. On this website you can read about immunisation and how to get it.
Healthdirect Australia
Healthdirect provides health information and advice online and over the phone. The website has links to health resources from trusted Australian organisations. You can also phone 1800 022 222 and speak to a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Livewire
Livewire provides free, safe and fun online communities for families affected by a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability.
Medicare Australia
Medicare is Australia’s universal health care system, providing access to free or low-cost health care. This website has information on Medicare services, claims, medical benefits and other services and assistance schemes. It has information translated into languages other than English.
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
This is a free, national, 24-hour helpline offering information, advice and support for parents expecting a baby and parents of children aged 0-5 years. Phone 1800 882 436.
Services Australia – Health care
This website has information on health services provided by the Australian Government. Find out whether your child can get support for dental care or eye tests. And read about getting help with early diagnosis and support for disability or autism.
St John Ambulance
St John Ambulance is active in each state and territory in Australia. This website has first aid fact sheets you can print out for home or work, plus information on handling emergencies and using practical life-saving skills. The website also has information about booking St John first aid training courses.
From abrasions to worms, our A-Z health reference has you and your child covered.
Children’s hospitals
- Australian Capital Territory – Canberra Hospital
- New South Wales – The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network
- Northern Territory – Alice Springs Hospital and Royal Darwin Hospital
- Queensland – Queensland Children’s Hospital
- South Australia – Women’s and Children’s Hospital
- Tasmania – Royal Hobart Hospital
- Victoria – The Royal Children’s Hospital
- Western Australia – King Edward Memorial Hospital (Women and Newborn Health Service) and Perth Children’s Hospital (Child and Adolescent Health Service)
Virtual urgent care services and virtual emergency care services
Virtual urgent care services and virtual emergency care services are for urgent but non-life-threatening emergencies – for example, mild respiratory illness like asthma or flu, tummy pain, nausea and/or vomiting, heart palpitations, and dizziness or fainting.
Most Australian states have a virtual urgent or emergency care service, but the rules about who can use these services vary from state to state. Check with the service in your state to see whether you can use it. Also, these services are not available in Australian territories.
These states have virtual urgent or emergency care services:
- New South Wales – RPA Virtual Urgent Care Service
- Queensland – Virtual Emergency Care Service
- South Australia – Child and Adolescent Virtual Urgent Care Service
- Victoria – Victorian Virtual Emergency Department
- Western Australia – WA Virtual Emergency Department
Signs of serious illness in young children include severe drowsiness or unresponsiveness, cold hands or feet or pale, blotchy or blue skin, difficulty breathing or unusual breathing, seizures, or a rash that doesn’t fade when you press your child’s skin. Phone 000 and ask for an ambulance if you see any of these signs.