helplines & support organisations - act
home > directory > helplines & support organisations > act
The organisations on this page have been grouped roughly for ease and quick reference. Viewers are asked to note that some organisations may have services in more than one group but are only listed once, please look through the list carefully. Many organisations have regional offices and support groups - check the website or call the main number listed for details.
This list is not exhaustive, if you know of or run a genuine support organisation which would be of help to Australian parents, please contact us.
For additional sources of organisations and associations, click on the other sources of support organisations link below for further online directories.
Quick page links:
general women's health & women's issues
pregnancy & childbirth
premature babies
help for parents
feeding concerns
children with special needs
bereavement & grief
post-natal depression
young parents
parent support groups
children's issues
government departments & agencies
family planning & un-wanted pregnancy
general helplines
accidents
other sources of support organisations
TTY = telephone typwriter service; telephone service for those with hearing or speech difficulties
general women's health & women's issues
Community Health - Well Women's Clinics
ph: (02) 6205 1075
Health First Service
> ph: (02) 6207 7777
> ph: (02) 6207 7770 TTY Service
24 hr information line - for ACT residents and surrounding areas only
Women's Information & Referral Centre
> ph: (02) 6205 1075
"Women's Information and Referral Centre aims to provide a high quality, free, confidential, relevant and accurate information and referral service for women and their families in the ACT and Region"
Australian Women's Health Network (AWHN)
"A national women's health advocacy, information and lobbying organisation.
The site aims to provide general information, key services and up-to-date policy information regarding women's health."
back to top
pregnancy & childbirth
Pregnancy Support
ph: Tollfree 1300 139 313 (national)
Free, professional, confidential counselling in relation to pregnancy testing, unplanned pregnancy,
post-abortion concerns, pregnancy support, pregnancy loss & adoption
Pregnancy Counselling Link
ph: Tollfree 1800 777 690 (national)
Free, professional, confidential counselling in relation to pregnancy testing, unplanned pregnancy,
post-abortion concerns, pregnancy support, pregnancy loss & adoption
Pelvic Instability Association
ph: (VIC) (03) 9539 3217
Not-for-profit organisation providing support and information for women suffering from
Pelvic Instability / Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD).
Karinya House for Mothers & Babies
ph: (02) 6259 8998
safe house and residential support for pregnant women, also face-to-face and telephone counselling;
pregnancy testing; material assistance; outreach support and more. See website for details.
Medicines Line
ph: 1300 888 763
A national service offering telephone advice on prescribed and over-the-counter medications.
Australian Multiple Birth Association
Voluntary organisation run by multiple birth parents for expectant or other multiple birth parents. Call for details of nearest group.
Australian Action on Pre-eclampsia
ph: (VIC) (03) 9330 0441
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association of Australia
Support and information for women suffering from PCOS. Local support groups also.
Hashimoto Hypothyroid Postpartum
Online info
Australian Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) Support Group
ph: (07) 3849 8198
Voluntary organisation - The Australian Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome Support Group has been formed to help parents who are or have been diagnosed with Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome.
Australian Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome Awareness
ph: (mobile) 0416 388 987
Australian & worldwide twin to twin transfusion support group providing
TTTS information, support, contacts, message board, yahoo group, parents stories, memorial section, parents
contacts, medical professionals & treatment centre contacts specialising in TTTS.
AIMS Australia (Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services, Australia)
ph: (07) 3207 7444
"AIMS Australia is a consumer organisation and our members promote the rights of parents to
choose the place and manner of birth; the rights of parents to accurate information and parents' rights to be treated with respect
during pregnancy and childbirth."
The Maternity Coalition Inc
"Australia’s peak birth care consumer advocacy group. Are you having difficulties accessing the
care you want in birth? Has your local maternity unit closed? If you have concerns about birthing services in your area visit
Maternity Coalition’s website and find out how you can make a difference to your local community and to birthing services Australia-wide"
Caesarean Awareness Network Australia (CANA)
"Access up-to-date and evidence-based information and resources about caesareans and birth after caesareans, links to
support groups around the country, information on workshops and antenatal courses relevant to caesareans or vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC), and information
on issues related to maternity services for women who are planning a caesarean, or planning to VBAC."
Birth Trauma & Stress Support Group
email: birth-trauma@tasmail.com
Voluntary support group for mothers who have had traumatic birth experiences.
Support offered through email and phone Australia-wide.
back to top
premature babies
Austprem
Internet based Australia-wide support group and information website
National Premmie Foundation
ph: 1300 PREM BABY (1300 773 622)
National support organisation for all families and carers involved with parenting premature or seriously ill babies and children.
L'il Aussie Prems
An Australian online support site for parents & families of premature babies. We welcome you to join our free community forum where you can talk to other parents. You will find useful links to all things premmie including clothing stores, support sites, journeys through the NICU & much more..
Preterm Infants Parents Association (PIPA)
ph: (07) 3216 5114
Queensland based support group
Victorian Infant Collaborative Study
Information website
also see contacts for Australian Multiple Birth Association in
pregnancy & childbirth section above.
back to top
help for parents
Parentlink
ph: (02) 6205 8800<
Parenting information line. Operates Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm (not on public holidays)
Health First
ph: (02) 6207 7777
24 hr medical & parenting information line - for ACT residents and surrounding areas only
Tresillian
ph: 1800 637 357
Good Beginnings Australia
see website for local contact details
Volunteer Home Visiting and Parenting Program
back to top
feeding concerns
Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA)
formerly Nursing Mothers' Association Australia (NMAA)
articles & online information
Breastfeeding 24 hour Helpline: ph: (02) 6258 8928
Australian Lactation Consultants Association (ACLA)
"ALCA is the only national, non-profit, incorporated professional
association for Australian International Board Certified Lactation Consultants." Refer to the web site
for the ALCA list of Private Practitioners in your area.
La Leche League International (Australian branch)
"La Leche League is an international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to providing education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed."
Reflux Infants Support Association
ph: (07) 3229 1090
The association is a non-profit organisation
who's aim is to support families and carers of children with reflux.
Dietitians Association of Australia
ph: (ACT) (02) 6282 9555
back to top
children with special needs
Carers Australia
ph: Freecall 1800 242 636
Information on carers' support groups and resources
Carers ACT website, ph: (02) 6296 9900
Asthma Australia
ph: Freecall 1800 645 130
ph: 1800 645 130
Autism Council of Australia
ph: (08) 9489 8900
Autism ACT website, ph: (mobile) 0419 223 357
Australian Hearing
ph: 13 17 97
Associations for the Deaf
Deafness Resource Centre of the ACT website ph: (02) 6287 4393 TTY (02) 6287 4394
Canberra Deaf Children's Association ph: (02) 6287 4393
Deaf Children Australia
ph: 1800 645 916
Royal Blind Society
ph: 1300 134 560
Leukaemia Foundation
ph: 1800 620 420
Children's Cancer Institute Australia
ph: Freecall 1800 685 686
The Cancer Council Australia
The Cancer Council ACT website, ph: 13 11 20
CP Australian (formerly Australian Cerebral Palsy Association
ph: 1300 30 29 20
The Spastic Centre of New South Wales website, ph: (02) 9451 9022
Cystic Fibrosis Australia
ph: (02) 9878 5250
Cystic Fibrosis Association of ACT ph: (02) 6259 7922
Diabetes Australia
ph: 1300 136 588
Down Syndrome Associations
Down Syndrome Association Of The ACT website, ph: (02) 6290 0656
Australian Dyspraxia Support Group & Resource Centre
ph: (02) 4577 6220
Eczema Association of Australia
ph: 1300 300 182
Epilepsy Action
ph: 1300 EPILEPSY (1300 37 45 37)
Muscular Dystrophy Australia
ph: (VIC) (03) 9370 0477
Speech Pathology Australia
ph: (03) 9642 4899
Australian Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association
ph: (07) 3844 4600
Noah's Ark Resource Centre
Bangalay Crescent, Rivett ph: (02) 6287 1117
back to top
bereavement & grief
Bonnie Babes Foundation
ph: (03) 9758 2800
"The Bonnie Babes Foundation provides a 24 hour, national grief counselling
services to Australian families who have lost a baby. The Foundation's trained counsellors will provide grief
counselling for any member of the family or friends grieving after pregnancy loss including miscarriage, stillbirth,
premature-birth loss, genetic termination (forced abortion due to complications), and neonatal death
(death shortly after birth)."
SIDS and Kids Australia
ph: 1300 308 307 (National)
Sids and Kids ACT ph: 1800 138 300
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome resource and information organisation
Pen Parents of Australia
Support network for those who have experienced pregnancy loss or the death of a child
Teddy Love Club
ph: (mobile) 0416 388 987
Registered non profit organisation. The program is the donation of teddy
bears to bereaved parents whilst in hospital, in the aim of easing the pain of leaving the hospital with empty arms.
We provide support and understanding for bereaved parents by bereaved parents,a message board & a yahoo support group on the website.
OzMOST ~ Aussie Mums Of Surviving Twins
Online support group to offer friendship, understanding and mutual support to other parents when a twin or higher order of multiples dies during the pregnancy, at birth or in infancy.
back to top
post-natal depression
Postnatal and Antenatal Depression Support & Information (PaNDSI)
ph: (ACT) (02) 6232 6664
PaNDSI provides support and information to mums with
Post or Ante Natal Depression and their families.
Birth Trauma & Stress Support Group
email: birth-trauma@tasmail.com
Voluntary support group for mothers who have had traumatic birth experiences.
Support offered through email and phone Australia-wide.
back to top
young parents
YWCA Lanyon Young Mums Group
ph: (02) 6294 4633
Local support group for parents aged 25 years and under.
back to top
parent support groups
Mums in Business
ph: (07) 5502 7756
National Council of Single Mothers & Their Children
ph: (08) 8226 2505
Parents without Partners
ph: (02) 6248 6333
Parent Support
online support community and information
SPACE4
Single Parent Accommodation & Childcare Exchange
back to top
children's issues
Child Abuse Prevention Services Foundation
ph: Freecall 1800 688 009
ph: (02) 9716 8000
National 24 hour helpline
Napcan Australia
(02) 9211 0224
"NAPCAN is the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect. Established in 1987, we are a non government, not for profit, volunteer based organisation"
Kids Help Line
ph: Freecall 1800 551 800
"A National 24 Hour Telephone Counselling Service for Children and Young People in Australia"
back to top
government departments & agencies
Family Assistance Office
ph: 13 61 50
ph: 13 12 02 (for multilingual enquiries)
ph: 1800 810 587 (TTY)
Centrelink
locations: customer service centres
ph: 1800 050 004
ph: 13 12 02 (for multilingual enquiries)
ph: 1800 810 586 (TTY)
Medicare
locations: Medicare offices
ph: 13 20 11
ph: 13 14 50 (multilingual enquiries)
Federal Department of Families and Community Service
National Child Care Access Hotline 1800 670 305
Child Support Agency
ph: 13 12 72
ph: 13 14 50 (multilingual enquiries)
ph: 1800 631 187 (TTY)
Assisting separated parents to take responsibility for the financial support of their children
back to top
family planning & un-wanted pregnancy
Pregnancy Helpline
ph: Tollfree 1300 139 313 (national)
Free, professional, confidential counselling in relation to pregnancy testing, unplanned pregnancy,
post-abortion concerns, pregnancy support, pregnancy loss & adoption
Pregnancy Counselling Link
ph: Tollfree 1800 777 690 (national)
Free, professional, confidential counselling in relation to pregnancy testing, unplanned pregnancy,
post-abortion concerns, pregnancy support, pregnancy loss & adoption
Karinya House for Mothers & Babies
ph: (02) 6259 8998
safe house and residential support for pregnant women, also face-to-face and telephone counselling;
pregnancy testing; material assistance; outreach support and more. See website for details.
Sexual Health & Family Planning ACT
ph: (02) 6247 3077
Billings Family Life Centres (Billings Ovulation Method)
ph: Freecall 1800 335 860 for details of nearest centre
Centre locations: online
Australian Council of Natural Family Planning
Call for details of your nearest centre ph: 1800 114 010
back to top
general helplines
Lifeline
ph: 13 11 14
national 24-hr counselling line
Quitline
ph: 13 18 48
24 hr quit-smoking counselling and information service
Medicines Line
ph: 1300 888 763
A national service offering telephone advice on prescribed and over-the-counter medications.
Men's Info Line
ph: Freecall 1800 600 636
Advice to men on relationships, health, family
issues and domestic violence
back to top
accidents
Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia (Kidsafe)
> ACT Division
location: Building 2, Pearce Centre, Collett Place, Pearce
ph: (02) 6290 2244
opening hours: 9am-3pm Monday-Friday and every 2nd Saturday from 9am-12noon
Poisons Information Centre
ph: 13 11 26
Adverse Medicine Events Line
ph: 1300 134 237
Help with adverse or strange reactions to medicines.
back to top
other sources of support organisations
The Australian Government Directory
search through this online list of organisations throughout Australia
Early Childhood Connections
back to top
