Contact the Child Health Service: Child Health Service
- Who it is for
families of children from birth to 5 years of age
- Cost
Not published
Source: nt.gov.au · Last checked 18 October 2026
Where to start in the Northern Territory: help for your child's development
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
- Start with the first door on your list.
- Each service decides who it can see. This list does not decide that for you.
- You don’t need a diagnosis to start, for children 8 and under.
Why this helps
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: Child Health Service (families of children from birth to 5 years of age).
6 to 8: your GP.
9 and over: your GP.
Phone lines and first contacts
Thriving Kids in the Northern Territory: planned
From 1 October 2026, the NT will begin introducing Thriving Kids, with a full rollout by 1 January 2028.
Last checked 18 October 2026
Public child development services
Call the Children's Development Team about a referral: Children's Development Team (NT Health)
- Who it is for
children from birth to 18 years old
Not for children on the NDIS.
- Phone
Darwin: 08 8922 7283
Top End remote: 08 8944 8641
Big Rivers: 08 8973 8778
Alice Springs: 08 8951 6711
- Hours
Not published
- Referral
Families can refer. Your child needs to be covered by Medicare.
- Cost
Free
Source: nt.gov.au · Last checked 18 October 2026
Your GP and Medicare
Book a visit with your GP: Your GP
- Cost
Medicare rebates may apply
Ask about a Medicare treatment plan: Medicare treatment plan (M10)
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.
- Cost
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
The NDIS
Contact an NDIS early childhood partner: NDIS early childhood partner
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.
- Who it is for
a child younger than 9 with delays in their development or disability
- Cost
Not published
Source: www.ndis.gov.au, www.health.gov.au · Last checked 18 October 2026
Contact an NDIS local area coordinator: NDIS local area coordinator (ages 9 to 64)
They can help you work out if the NDIS is right for your child, and help you apply.
- Who it is for
children 9 or older with disability
- Cost
Not published
Source: www.ndis.gov.au · Last checked 18 October 2026
Private providers
Find a private provider: Private providers
- Cost
Fees vary. Work out what you might pay
Speech therapy in the Northern TerritoryOccupational therapy in the Northern TerritoryPsychology in the Northern TerritoryAutism assessment in the Northern TerritoryBrowse providers
National lines
Call the Thriving Kids Autism Helpline: Thriving Kids Autism Helpline
- Who it is for
children aged 0 to 8
- Phone
- Hours
Monday to Friday from 8.00 am to 7.00 pm
- Referral
No referral needed
- Cost
Free
Source: www.amaze.org.au, www.health.gov.au · Last checked 18 October 2026
Call the national phoneline: National phoneline (maternal and child health nurse)
- Who it is for
children aged 8 and under
- Phone
- Hours
7am to midnight (AEST), 7 days a week (including public holidays)
- Cost
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
How this works
What this tool does
- Shows public, Medicare, NDIS and private options for your state and your child’s age
- Puts the door to try first at the top
What it does not do
- Decide whether a service will see your child
- Store your answers
Our tools help you find information, work out costs and get ready for appointments. They do not screen, assess, diagnose, monitor or treat any condition. They never tell you whether your child is likely to have a condition. What you type into a tool stays in your browser; we do not store it. For advice about your child, talk to your GP, a child health nurse or another health professional.
Sources
(6 websites)
NT Government
baby-child-assessments-clinics (opens in a new tab), childrens-therapy-services (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)
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
NT Department of People, Sport and Culture