Ask to speak to a child health nurse: 13 HEALTH: ask for a child health nurse
- Phone
- Hours
7am to 9pm every day
- Cost
Free
Source: www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au · Last checked 18 October 2026
Where to start in Queensland: 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: 13 HEALTH: ask for a child health nurse.
6 to 8: your GP.
9 and over: your GP.
Phone lines and first contacts
Thriving Kids in Queensland
Queensland has not yet signed on to Thriving Kids.
The national phone lines still work in Queensland.
Last checked 18 October 2026
Public child development services
Ask your GP or paediatrician for a referral: Child Development Service (Children's Health Queensland)
- Who it is for
children aged between 0 – 9 years experiencing significant differences in 2 or more developmental domains
- Phone
- Hours
Not published
- Referral
Needs a referral from a GP, paediatrician or other medical specialist.
- Area
Greater Brisbane
- Cost
Not published
Source: www.childrens.health.qld.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 QueenslandOccupational therapy in QueenslandPsychology in QueenslandAutism assessment in QueenslandBrowse 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
(7 websites)
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)
Children's Health Queensland
/services/child-youth-and-family-health (opens in a new tab), /services/child-development-service (opens in a new tab), Child-development-service-consumer-flyer.pdf (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
Occupational Therapy Australia
Federal Financial Relations
national-agreement-foundational-supports (opens in a new tab)