Answer four questions to see who to contact first, and what to try next.
EarlyBloom team · Facts last checked 18 October 2026 against the sources below
Key points
It is normal to feel unsure who to contact first about your child’s development. Help can come from your GP, public services, the NDIS or private providers, and each one works in a different way. Your answers put these options in one list for your state, with the one to try first at the top.
General information, not medical advice. This tool does not assess or diagnose your child. Talk to your GP or another health professional about your child.
If you are worried and have not seen anyone yet:
Under 6: Thriving Kids Information and Navigation phone line (children aged 0 to 8).
6 to 8: Thriving Kids Information and Navigation phone line (children aged 0 to 8).
9 and over: your GP.
children aged 0 to 8
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
No referral needed
Free
Source: www.act.gov.au · Last checked 18 October 2026
children up to the age of 5 years
Not published
Not published
Source: www.canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au, www.act.gov.au · Last checked 18 October 2026
children 6 years old or younger
Not for children on the NDIS.
Not published
No referral needed
Free
Source: www.act.gov.au · Last checked 18 October 2026
children under 12 years old who have been referred by a paediatrician or psychiatrist
For children who live in the ACT.
Not published
Needs a referral from a paediatrician or psychiatrist.
Free
Source: www.act.gov.au · Last checked 18 October 2026
Medicare rebates may apply
If a paediatrician or psychiatrist diagnosed autism or another complex neurodevelopmental condition, ask them for a Medicare treatment and management plan.
For some disabilities listed by Medicare, such as stuttering or cerebral palsy, a GP or specialist can write the plan.
With the plan, therapists can claim Medicare for up to 20 treatment sessions before age 25. Each child can have one plan in their life.
Medicare rebates may apply
Work out what you might payWebsite (opens in a new tab)
Source: www9.health.gov.au · Last checked 18 October 2026
They work with children under 9 who have a disability. You can talk to them before there is a diagnosis.
If there is no early childhood partner near you, call the NDIA on 1800 800 110.
a child younger than 9 with delays in their development or disability
Not published
Source: www.ndis.gov.au, www.health.gov.au · Last checked 18 October 2026
They can help you work out if the NDIS is right for your child, and help you apply.
children 9 or older with disability
Not published
Source: www.ndis.gov.au · Last checked 18 October 2026
Fees vary. Work out what you might pay
Speech therapy in the Australian Capital TerritoryOccupational therapy in the Australian Capital TerritoryPsychology in the Australian Capital TerritoryAutism assessment in the Australian Capital TerritoryBrowse providers
children aged 0 to 8
Monday to Friday from 8.00 am to 7.00 pm
No referral needed
Free
Source: www.amaze.org.au, www.health.gov.au · Last checked 18 October 2026
children aged 8 and under
7am to midnight (AEST), 7 days a week (including public holidays)
Free
Source: www.health.gov.au · Last checked 18 October 2026
Thriving Kids information hub (Raising Children Network) (opens in a new tab)
NDIS or Thriving Kids: which one, and what changes in 2028Work out what you might pay
ACT Government
thriving-kids-and-the-act-government (opens in a new tab), talk-to-someone-about-your-childs-development (opens in a new tab), getting-help-with-your-childs-development (opens in a new tab), your-childs-development-from-conception-to-2-years (opens in a new tab), get-your-childs-development-checked-at-a-drop-in-clinic (opens in a new tab), child-development-service (opens in a new tab), get-an-autism-assessment-for-your-child (opens in a new tab)
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
/thrivingkids (opens in a new tab), /thrivingkids/family-support (opens in a new tab), implementation-of-australian-government-thriving-kids-supports (opens in a new tab), first-phase-of-thriving-kids-supports-start-today (opens in a new tab)
Canberra Health Services
maternal-and-child-health-mach-booked-appointments-and-child-health-checks (opens in a new tab)
Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS Online)
item 135 (opens in a new tab), item 137 (opens in a new tab), item 139 (opens in a new tab), item 289 (opens in a new tab), item 82020 (opens in a new tab)
NDIS
what-early-childhood-partner (opens in a new tab), how-get-help-your-child (opens in a new tab), what-ndis-partner (opens in a new tab)
Amaze
