Getting help with your child's development

If you are worried about how your child is talking, moving, learning, playing or behaving, information and assistance is available to help you understand what to do next.

You do not need a diagnosis or a referral and you do not need to know what kind of help you want. These services are free.

Maternal, Child and Family Health (MACH)

Free health and development checks for babies and young children.

• Book an appointment with a Maternal, Child and Family Health nurse or midwife.
• Call the Early Parenting Support phone line. You’ll need to leave a voicemail and a nurse or midwife will get back to you.
• Find information in your child’s Personal Health Record.

Child and Family Centres

You can call Child and Family Practitioners at Gungahlin, Tuggeranong and West Belconnen. The Child and Family Practitioners are available to talk through what you are noticing and tell you about any available services, if you need them.

• Talk to a Child and Family Practitioner about your child’s development.
• Find out where your local Child and Family Centre is.

Child Development Service

The Child Development Service provides developmental checks and supports for children and their families. You can call and talk to someone about your child, or you can go to a drop-in clinic to discuss your child’s development with an allied health professional. No referral is needed.

• Get your child’s development checked at a free drop-in clinic.
• Learn about the other services, programs and workshops available through the Child Development Service.

Early childhood approach (Each)

Help to understand your child's development, find support and build skills at home, for children under 9. Each is the organisation that provides this in the ACT. They can also help you apply for the NDIS if your child needs it.

No or low cost. Call 1300 003 224 Monday to Friday.

Read about the early childhood approach and make a referral.

Parentline ACT

Free, confidential phone counselling for parents and carers, about a child of any age. Talk through what is worrying you, work out things to try at home, and stay with the same counsellor if you want ongoing support.

Call (02) 6287 3833, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, not including public holidays.

Read about Parentline ACT or request a call back.

Other people who can help

• Your family doctor (GP). They can check your child's health, your child’s development and refer your child to services if needed.
• Your child’s educator. They can provide suggestions and support you to connect with the services you need.

Lines you can call

• healthdirect. Speak to a registered nurse about your child's health. Call  24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 022 222.
• Pregnancy, Birth and Baby. Speak to a maternal child health nurse about children up to 5, by phone or video call. Call  from 7am to midnight every day on 1800 882 436.

Getting help in your language

You can use a free interpreter. Call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to call the ACT’s Thriving Kids Information and Navigation phone line on 02 6205 5500. The call is free for you.

You can also ask for an interpreter when you visit a Child and Family Centre.

Speaking your own language with your child helps their development. It does not slow down their English.

What to do next

Talk to a child and family practitioner in the ACT. Find out how to talk to someone about your child's development.