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: Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS) (all children from birth to 5 years, living in South Australia).
6 to 8: your GP.
9 and over: your GP.
all children from birth to 5 years, living in South Australia
Not published
No referral needed
Free
Source: www.cafhs.sa.gov.au, www.earlychildhood.sa.gov.au · Last checked 18 October 2026
From 2028, Thriving Kids will provide targeted supports for children and families who need them most.
Thriving Kids will start with a conversation. It might be with a GP, a CaFHS nurse, an Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Service or an early childhood educator.
Last checked 18 October 2026
complex developmental concerns in three or more areas
Not published
three major metropolitan hospitals
For patients with a Medicare card, there is no cost for autism assessments
Source: officeforautism.sa.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 South AustraliaOccupational therapy in South AustraliaPsychology in South AustraliaAutism assessment in South AustraliaBrowse 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
Child and Family Health Service (SA)
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)
Early Childhood, South Australia
child-health-development-checks (opens in a new tab), roll-out-of-thriving-kids (opens in a new tab)
Office for Autism (SA)
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
