What is disability and parenting support?

If you are caring for a child with a disability, there is support available for you. This page will help you find and get the right supports for your family.

The government support you can get depends on where you live. Some support is for everyone in Australia. Other support is provided by state and territory governments.

National Disability Insurance Scheme

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports children with disabilities and their families.

The aim of the NDIS is to help you and your child access support. This way, your child can get the best start in life and achieve the best outcomes throughout their life.

The NDIS is available across Australia. You can check whether your child is eligible at the NDIS website.

Payments for carers

Most financial support services are coordinated by Centrelink. You may be eligible to receive the following payments.

• Carer Payment — a payment for giving constant care to someone with a disability.
• Carer Allowance — a fortnightly payment for giving daily care to someone with a disability.
• Child Disability Assistance Payment — a yearly payment for looking after a child with a disability or medical condition.
• Child Care Subsidy —a payment to help make child care services more affordable, including for children with disabilities.

There are a range of other payments for carers. Visit the Services Australia website to learn more.

Financial support for health care

In Australia, Medicare helps with the cost of health care. You can find out what Medicare will pay for on the Services Australia website.

If your child needs extra medical support, you can get extra financial support through the Medicare Safety Net. When you spend over a certain amount on medical costs in one calendar year, you get a higher amount back from Medicare.

You may also be eligible for a Health Care Card. This gives you discounts on prescription medicines. It may also give you concession prices on things like public transport and utility bills.

Respite care

You may be able to get respite care. This is when someone takes care of your child to give you a break.

Respite care can be done in a centre, or at home. It gives you a chance to relax, or complete everyday activities.

If you need emergency respite, call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737.

Support in your state or territory

There are other health and support services available. These depend on which state or territory you live in.

• Australian Capital Territory —People with disability: Children and young people
• New South Wales — Communities & Justice: Community inclusion
• Northern Territory — Office of Disability
• Queensland — People with disability
• South Australia — Care and Support: Disability
• Tasmania — Disability Services
• Victoria — Department of Families, Fairness and Housing: Disability
• Western Australia — Department of Communities: Disability services

Resources and support

You can visit the National Disability Gateway to find and access disability services across Australia.

Non-profit and charity support services

Reimagine Australia helps families of children with a disability or developmental delay to find support services. It's a good starting point to find out about what services are available to you.

Siblings Australia provides support, information and resources. These aim to support the siblings and families of children with a:

• chronic disease
• disability
• mental illness

Playgroup Australia is the national peak body representing playgroups.

Parent support groups

There are many parent support groups.

My Time can provide you with information and other resources about parenting and caring for children with a disability.

You can also visit Parentline for free confidential counselling. If you live in:

• Queensland or the Northern Territory, you can visit this website or call 1300 30 1300
• New South Wales, visit this website or call 1300 1300 52
• Victoria, you can call Parentline on 13 22 89

Carers networks

Carer Gateway is a national online and phone service providing practical information, support and useful resources for carers. Search the Carer Gateway website or call 1800 422 737.

Carers Australia represents the interests of carers in Australia. For more information and support, contact Carers Australia.