Resources for Families

• Autism Connect — A free national phone and online helpline offering autism information and peer support, delivered by Amaze. 1300 308 699
• Reframing Autism — An Autistic-led charity offering neurodiversity-affirming information and resources for families.
• Positive Partnerships — A government-funded program with free workshops and resources supporting autistic school-aged children, their families and educators.

• ADHD Australia — A national not-for-profit providing information and advocacy for people affected by ADHD.
• AADPA (Australian ADHD Professionals Association) — The body behind Australia's ADHD clinical guidelines, with plain-language factsheets for families.

• Raising Children Network — Australia's government-funded parenting website, with evidence-based articles on child development from birth to adolescence.
• healthdirect — A free government-funded service with trusted health information and a symptom checker.

• NOFASD Australia — A national organisation supporting individuals, families and carers affected by Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). 1800 860 613

• NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) — Information on eligibility, access and disability supports.
• Thriving Kids / Foundational Supports — New national supports for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism with low to moderate support needs, being progressively introduced from October 2026.
• Carer Gateway — A national program of practical and emotional support services for carers. 1800 422 737
• Siblings Australia — Support and resources for brothers and sisters of children with disability or chronic conditions.
• IPTAAS (NSW) — The Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme, helping eligible rural and remote families with travel and accommodation costs where treatment is not available locally (distance eligibility rules apply).

Information current as of 16 July 2026 — this section changes with government updates.

• Awabakal — An Aboriginal community-controlled organisation providing medical, family and community health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and the Hunter.
• Wandiyali — A Newcastle-based Aboriginal organisation providing children's, family and early-intervention services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families across the Hunter.
• AH&MRC of NSW — The peak body for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in NSW; use its member finder to locate your nearest Aboriginal Medical Service.
• SNAICC – National Voice for our Children — The national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, with resources supporting wellbeing and connection to culture.
• See also 13YARN in the crisis support section below — a 24/7 line staffed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis supporters.

• SPELD NSW — Support, assessment information and resources for people with specific learning differences such as dyslexia.

• Reframing Autism — Autistic-led, neurodiversity-affirming education and community for families.
• Yellow Ladybugs — An organisation supporting autistic girls, women and gender-diverse young people through community and affirming resources.
• I CAN Network — An Autistic-led organisation offering mentoring and group programs that celebrate autistic strengths.
• NeuroWild — An Australian neurodiversity-affirming speech pathologist and illustrator creating plain-language, visual resources that help families and educators understand and support autistic and ADHD children.
• Belongside Families — A family-led national not-for-profit offering free peer support, parent groups and resources for families raising a child with disability, developmental delay, autism, or a rare, genetic or medically complex condition.

• Parents of Gender Diverse Children (PGDC): peer support for parents and carers of transgender and gender diverse children, including intake calls and small support groups.
• Transforming Families: information and support tailored to parents, carers, siblings and allies of gender diverse children and young people.
• Transcend Australia: national peer support for trans, gender diverse and non-binary children and young people, and their families.

• Your Room — NSW Health's free alcohol and other drugs information website, developed with St Vincent's Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS), with facts, self-help tools and links to treatment services.
• MensLine Australia — A free telephone and online counselling service for Australian men, delivered by Lifeline and funded by the Australian Government. 1300 78 99 78
• Parent Line NSW — Free telephone counselling and support for NSW parents and carers of children aged 0–18. 1300 130 052
• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) — A free national helpline offering mental health support for expecting and new parents. 1300 726 306
• Ask Izzy — A free service from Infoxchange that helps people find nearby support services across categories such as housing, food, health and legal help.

• Kids Helpline — Free, confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling for young people aged 5–25. 1800 55 1800
• headspace — National youth mental health support for people aged 12–25.
• ReachOut — A free, anonymous online mental health service for young people, offering peer support, an AI chatbot and resources to help manage everyday challenges.
• Lifeline — 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention. 13 11 14
• 1800RESPECT — The national counselling service for people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence, free and available 24/7. 1800 737 732
• 13YARN — A 24/7 crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, staffed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis supporters. 13 92 76
• eSafety Commissioner — The Australian Government's online safety regulator, with resources and a reporting service to help young people and families stay safe online.

In an emergency, or if a child is at immediate risk of harm, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department.

Related reading: our autism assessment, ADHD assessment and care, psychology, and NDIS services pages.