Best Parenting Support Services in Australia 2024
Becoming a parent is one of the greatest moments in your life. Bringing new life into the world is an incredible journey, but it can also be extremely tough. Learning how to care for and support your little one as they grow up can seem daunting, but thankfully there are multiple parenting support services out there to help you learn and care for your child.
Here at Journey, we know how tough it can be. The journey of your child’s growth and learning about the world around them is a wonderful experience, and we have taken a closer look at the best parenting support services in Australia in 2022.
Why is family support important?
Before we take a look at some of the most popular services available, it is first important to understand why family support is essential. This support can come from a range of sources, from telephone lines and books to online forums and classes, but their aim is the same: to help parents improve their knowledge so they can support their loved ones as they grow.
These support sources are designed to support parents from all walks of life, and while they are most commonly used by new parents, they can still prove useful for those who already have children. However, they are most beneficial to those families experiencing some kind of disadvantages, such as mental health issues, learning difficulties, or substance abuse.
Parenting support – Government program/consultation
When it comes to parenting support services, one of the most useful sources is the government itself. There are multiple resources available for parents, but some of the most useful include:
1. Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY)
The Hippy program is a free, two-year course that is designed to support and empower parents during those critical early years. Over the 24 months, parents will learn the important role they play in their child’s development and learning.
Parents typically enter the program the year before their child begins school, and during the first year, children will have 30 weeks of activities to support their literacy and numeracy skills. These activities are then built upon in the second year.
Families will receive a free set of activity packs, while a trained home tutor will visit fortnightly. There are also group meetings for parents to share their experiences with others.
2. National Breastfeeding Helpline
Breastfeeding Helpline is staffed by qualified breastfeeding counsellors, who have breastfed and are passionate about supporting other mums and families on their journey – wherever it may take them.
Call 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 268) Free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, translating and Interpreting Service is available.
3. For Victoria
Maternal and Child Health services
132 229, 7 days, 24 hours
The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Service works in partnership with families to care for babies and young children until they start school and it’s free for Victorian families.
Parentline
132 289, 7 days, 8 am-midnight
A phone service for parents and carers of children from birth to 18 years old that offers confidential and anonymous counselling and support on parenting issues.
Regional Parenting Services
Regional Parenting Services provides support to parents and carers of children from birth to 18 years to help you gain the skills and confidence to support your child’s development. This free service provides parents with information, parenting education and individual and group-based support.
Strengthening Parent Support Program
The Strengthening Parent Support Program is for parents and carers with a child from birth to 18 years with a disability or developmental delay. This free program assists parents in connecting with other families and the local community
4. For Queensland
Triple P – Positive Parenting Program
This program provides practical information to support children’s growth and development. Free for all Queensland parents and carers including a range of seminars, an online course, group sessions and one-on-one support.
Parentline
1300 30 1300, 8am-10pm, 7 days a week.
A phone service provides confidential telephone service providing professional counselling and support in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Separated parents
Information about how separating affects your payments. Help with child support arrangements between separated parents.
Child and baby health clinics
13 HEALTH (134 325), 7 days, 24 hours
Generally provide free parenting and infant development information, feeding help and support.
4. For Northern Territory
Parentline
1300 30 1300, 8 am-10 pm, 7 days a week.
A phone service provides confidential telephone service providing professional counselling and support in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Children’s Ground
This website helps the next generation of children know and celebrate their culture and identity, have freedom of choice and expression and live with opportunity, peace, harmony and well-being.
Mackillop Family Services
The service works for the rights of all children to be free to enjoy their childhood in a safe and loving home, where they are nurtured and have a sense of belonging and cultural identity.
CAAPS Aboriginal Corporation
The Family Support Service provides support and assistance to families to keep their children safe, reunify children in care with their birth family and support pregnant mothers to raise healthy and safe children.
Melaleuca Australia
Melaleuca Australia values the importance of building strong, resilient and resourceful family units. Melaleuca Australia provides a series of free, interactive workshops that offer information, support and skill development opportunities to newly arrived families from humanitarian, migrant, and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Parenting Podcasts
Podcasts are one of the fastest-growing parenting support services in the country. These are a great way to learn around your busy schedule, and some of the most popular include:
There is no instruction manual for having a baby, but this ABC podcast shares unique insights, tips and advice to new parents.
Juggling raising a child with looking after yourself and pursuing your career is incredibly tough. The Everyday Mother podcast talks through those issues that every mother faces and shares unique ideas to help you connect with your loved ones.
The Spot Family Podcast is a fantastic resource that takes a deep dive into child development, health, and learning. This in-depth podcast examines the science behind these areas and what you can do to support your child.
Maggie Dent, one of Australia’s most loved parenting authors, sits down with fellow parenting experts every Tuesday to discuss trending topics in the world of child-raising.
Sh*tting With The Door Open is hosted by Australian comedians, Wade Duffin and Harley Breen, who describe themselves as “two parents who happen to be dads.” The podcast is the perfect lighthearted take on parenthood that all dads need from time to time!
From child psychologists to mums-of-many to new dads doing deep-dive discussions, here are 17 insightful and relatable parenting podcasts to make any parent or carer feel less alone.
Parenting Websites
The internet is an incredible parenting support tool, offering a huge array of options to improve your knowledge and seek support, no matter the age of your child. However, with so many websites and forums available, it can be tough to know where to start. That is why we have taken a closer look at some of our favourites:
This website is one of the best parenting support services available. Supported by the Department of Social Services, it offers a huge array of free parenting advice from pregnancy through to raising teenagers.
A national Australian Government service providing support and information for expecting parents and parents of children, from birth to 5 years of age.
This is the website of the popular magazine of the same name and features an array of articles designed to provide insight and information on all stages of your child’s development.
This is a fantastic resource and covers everything parents need to raise their children. The comprehensive website pulls information from a wide range of proven sources.
This service offers some much-needed resources for those contemplating joining or those who are struggling once already there. With a range of resources, educational tools and training for both family members and service providers, Stepfamilies Australia is helping blended families thrive.
1800 050 321, Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm; Saturday 10 am to 4 pm
The Family Relationship Advice Line is a national telephone service that helps families affected by relationship or separation issues, including information on parenting arrangements after separation. It can also refer callers to local services that provide assistance.
MyTime organises supported groups where parents and carers of children with disabilities or other additional needs can feel understood, share ideas and access quality information and resources.
Parenting Apps
Apps are quickly growing in popularity, allowing parents to access the resources they need on the go, no matter where they might be. Some of the most popular include:
- Child 360
Available on both the App Store and Google Play, Child 360 offers a holistic approach to supporting your child with their social and emotional well-being, providing tips and information to help build their resilience.
- Family5
This popular app is aimed at parents with children between the ages of 1 and 12, providing them with educational advice and tips on how to develop better habits.
- Hello Joey
Parenting can be a tricky journey to navigate, and this app supports parents on the more challenging topics such as discipline and dealing with picky eaters.
Co-designed with parents and mental health experts and funded by the Australian Government, Raising Healthy Minds supports children’s social and emotional well-being.
Parenting Books
Books have always been one of the most popular forms of parenting support services, and there is a huge array to help parents cover every aspect of raising their child. Some of the most popular include:
- Babies & Toddlers, Kaz Cooke
Packed with helpful suggestions, information and advice, this book is supported by insight from over thirty medical and child experts. It is also updated each year with further info, so you know you always have the best support.
- Ten Things Every Parent Needs To Know, Dr Justin Coulson
As a leading expert in parenting, Dr Justin Coulson explores the ten most important things that every parent should know when raising their child.
- Everyday Resilience, Michelle Mitchell
This book explores the seven key traits that children should learn on their journey to adolescence, including gratitude, courage, self-awareness, empathy, self-care, contribution and responsibility.
- Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, From Birth to Preschool
An award-winning economist and mother of two, Emily Oster investigates parenting from an often overlooked angle in her new book, Cribsheet. Rather than getting swept up in emotion or bogged down in conflicting information from every mother in your contact list, Oster empowers parents to make fact-based decisions that reflect what’s best for their unique family.
- The Newborn Sleep Book
It’s not a secret that getting your newborn to sleep through the night is the Holy Grail of parenting, and there’s no shortage of methods, techniques, and advice either. The method developed by Drs. Jassey has a proven track record and a practical, easy-to-understand approach to help your little one get a full night’s sleep.
Need help on your journey?
The journey of being a parent can be tough, but it is also the most rewarding thing you can do in life. Here at Journey, we know how tough it can be. That is why we offer an array of support to help you on this path, from our Child Care Subsidy Calculator to our Funded Kindergarten Program, so if you need help, get in touch today to find out more.
