Support

Raising a child can be challenging and unfortunately they don’t come with a manual. There are however a range of organisations to support families that can help you along the way.

Below are some useful websites and organisations that may be able to assist you, grouped into categories:

General Parenting Support

Parent Line
Parent Line is a helpline that provides counselling and support for parents, as well as general parenting advice and information. Parent Line can also put you in touch with other services in your local area for ongoing support, or for other issues such as legal advice.
1300 1300 52
www.parentline.org.au

Tresillian
24-hour information and counselling for parents or carers of children under 5 years.
02 9787 0855
1800 637 357 (outside Sydney metropolitan area)
www.tresillian.net

Karitane
24-hour telephone parenting information and counselling.
1300 CARING (1300 227 464)
(freecall outside Sydney)
www.karitane.com.au

Resourcing Parents
Resourcing Parents provides parenting education information to parents and carers of children aged 0-18 years living in Sydney and surrounds.
www.resourcingparents.com

Raising Children Network
The Australian parenting website: comprehensive, practical, expert child health and parenting information and activities covering children aged 0-15 years.
www.raisingchildren.net.au

General Support for Kids

Kids Help Line
1800 55 1800
www.kidshelpline.com.au

Reachout
A web based service that helps young people get through tough times.
www.reachout.com.au

Health

If you or someone you know is at imminent risk, call Emergency Services on 000.

General

Health Direct
healthdirect provides free, easy access to trusted, quality health information and advice online and over the phone.
1800 022 222
www.healthdirect.gov.au

National Home Doctor Service
When you need a doctor but your GP is closed, call 13SICK(13 7425), National Home Doctor Service for a bulk billed, after hours Doctor home visit.
13 7425
www.homedoctor.com.au

Poisons Information
24 hours a day, 7 days a week – Australia wide
13 11 26

Aboriginal Medical Service Co-op Limited
02 9319 5823

Child and Mother Medical Services

MotherSafe
MotherSafe provides a comprehensive, free counselling service for women and their healthcare providers concerned about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
9382 6539 or 1800 647848
www.mothersafe.org.au

Kidsafe
02 9845 0890
www.kidsafensw.org

Kids Careline
02 4921 2800 (Newcastle area)

Kidsnet
02 9845 0000 (statewide)

Children’s Hospital Westmead
02 9845 0000
www.chw.edu.au

Merrylands Community Health Centre
Merrylands Community Health Centre provides a range of services in the Holroyd and Parramatta areas to children, young people and their families.
1800 600 681
(02) 9682 3133

Australian Breastfeeding Association
Provides breastfeeding information and support to mothers, their support networks (e.g., other family members) and health professionals.
1800 686 268
www.breastfeeding.asn.au

National Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Helpline
1800 88 24 36

Drugs and Alcohol information

Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
02 9361 8000
1800 422 599 (Freecall)

Family Drug Support
1300 368 186 (cost of a local call Australia wide)
24 hours 7 days
www.fds.org.au

Mental Health Information

SANE Australia Helpline
9am – 5pm weekdays for mental health information and referral to support services
1800 18 SANE (1800 18 7263)
www.sane.org

The Butterfly Foundation
02 9412 4499
The Butterfly Foundation is a national organisation that provides support to Australians who suffer from eating disorders and negative body image issues.
www.thebutterflyfoundation.org.au

Support and Counselling for Families

Relationships Australia (NSW)
02 9418 8800
1300 364 277 (cost of a local call)
Online counselling is also available at www.relationshiphelponline.com.au

Centacare Relationship Counselling
02 9390 5366

Lifeline
24 hour telephone counselling.
13 11 14 (statewide)
www.lifeline.org.au

SIDS and Kids NSW
SIDS and Kids NSW supports families who experience the death of their baby or young child during pregnancy, birth, infancy and childhood.
1800 65 11 86 (24 Hour Bereavement Support Line)
Main Office:  02 9818 8400
www.sidsandkids.org/offices/new-south-wales

Salvo Care Line
02 9331 6000 (statewide)
1300 36 36 22
www.salvos.org.au

Dial-a-Mum
Telephone counselling for anyone of any age.
02 9477 6777 (statewide)
www.dial-a-mum.org.au

Dads in Distress Helpline
Dads in Distress is a dedicated support group of men (in Australia) whose immediate concern is to stem the present trend of male suicide.
www.dadsindistress.asn.au

Autism Advisory and Support Service
24 hour Autism Hotline.
1300 222 777
www.aass.org.au

Domestic Violence Line
24 hours 7 days
1800 656 463
1800 671 442 (TTY)

Family Planning Information Line
1300 658 886
www.fpnsw.org.au

Child Support Agency
www.csa.gov.au/

School Education

HSC Advice Line
(open from mid October)
www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au

NSW Department of Education and Training
02 9561 8000
www.det.nsw.edu.au

Road Safety

Safe driving – Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA)
132 213
www.rta.nsw.gov.au