Pregnancy, Birth and Baby home

Childhood disability and parenting support

Key facts

  • Support is available for parents and carers of children with disability.
  • Support is available through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and government payments for carers.
  • You may also get support through state and territory services or non-profit organisations.

    • What is disability and parenting support?

    If you are caring for a child with disability, there is support available for you. Support services include:

    The government support you can get depends on where you live. Some payments and services are available to everyone in Australia, while others are offered by state and territory governments.

    What is the National Disability Insurance Scheme?

    The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) (Opens in new tab) supports children with disability and their families.

    The NDIS (Opens in new tab) helps you and your child access support. This way, your child can get the best start in life and achieve the best outcomes throughout their life.

    The NDIS is available across Australia including rural and remote areas. The NDIS allows higher price limits for some supports in remote and very remote areas.

    You can check whether your child is eligible (Opens in new tab) at the NDIS website (Opens in new tab).

    What payments for carers are available?

    Most financial support services are provided through Centrelink (Opens in new tab). You may be able to get the payments such as:

    There is a range of other payments for carers (Opens in new tab). Visit the Services Australia website (Opens in new tab) to learn more.

    What financial support is there for health care?

    In Australia, Medicare (Opens in new tab) helps with the cost of health care. You can find out what Medicare will pay for (Opens in new tab) on the Services Australia website (Opens in new tab).

    If you have high out-of-pocket medical costs, you may be able to get more money back through the Medicare Safety Net (Opens in new tab). When you spend over a certain amount on medical costs in one calendar year, you get a higher amount back from Medicare.

    You may be able to get a Health Care Card (Opens in new tab). This gives you discounts on prescription medicines. It may also give you discounts on things like public transport and electricity or water bills.

    Am I able to get respite care?

    You may be able to get respite care. Respite care is when someone takes care of your child so you can have a break. It can be done in a centre or in your home. It gives you a chance to relax or complete everyday activities.

    Respite care can be for a few hours a week or for longer, such as overnight or for a weekend.

    If you need emergency respite, call Carer Gateway (Opens in new tab) on 1800 422 737.

    Resources and support

    You can visit the National Disability Gateway (Opens in new tab) to find and access disability services across Australia.

    Carer Gateway (Opens in new tab) is a national online and phone service that has practical information, support and resources for carers. Search the Carer Gateway website (Opens in new tab) or call 1800 422 737.

    Carers Australia (Opens in new tab) has information and support for carers in Australia. You can contact Carers Australia (Opens in new tab) for more information.

    NDIS has information and support for Auslan and languages other than English. If you need help contacting the NDIS, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

    First Peoples Disability Network offers information and resources for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples with disability, their families and communities.

    Support in your state or territory

    There are other health and support services available. These depend on which state or territory you live in.

    Non-profit and charity support services

    Reimagine Australia (Opens in new tab) helps families of children with disability or developmental delay find support services.

    Siblings Australia (Opens in new tab) provides support, information and resources to siblings and families of children with a:

    • chronic disease
    • disability
    • mental illness

    Playgroup Australia (Opens in new tab) is the national peak body representing playgroups.

    Parent support groups

    My Time (Opens in new tab) provides information and resources for parents and carers of children with disability.

    You can also visit Parentline for free, confidential counselling. If you live in:

    Speak to a maternal child health nurse

    Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 (Opens in new tab) or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

    Last reviewed: September 2025

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