Getting supports for a child: a parent's starting point
Reviewed by the My Care Link Australia Editorial Team · Last reviewed
If you are worried about your child's development, you do not need a diagnosis to start. The early childhood approach is designed to be contacted directly, and support can begin before anything is formally decided. Here is the order to do things in.
Where to start
Children younger than 6 with developmental concerns or delay, and children younger than 9 with disability, are supported through the NDIS early childhood approach. You can contact an early childhood partner directly — no form, no referral needed to begin the conversation.
For children 9 and over, the usual NDIS access process applies, with evidence from the professionals who know your child.
- Call the NDIS on 1800 800 110 and ask for your local early childhood partner
- Talk to your GP, child health nurse or paediatrician and ask for their observations in writing
- Tell your child's educators — early childhood centres and schools often have their own supports
- Start keeping short notes of what you are noticing, with dates and examples
What evidence helps
- Paediatrician or GP letters describing development and any diagnosis
- Speech pathology, occupational therapy or psychology assessments
- Early childhood educator or teacher observations
- Your own notes: what your child can do, what they need help with, what a hard day looks like
- Records of supports already tried, private or public
As with adults, function beats diagnosis. Concrete examples — "needs full assistance to dress, uses around ten words" — carry more weight than labels.
Supports children commonly receive
- Speech pathology for communication and feeding
- Occupational therapy for daily living, sensory needs and fine motor skills
- Physiotherapy for movement and strength
- Psychology and behaviour support
- Support workers for community access and building independence
- Assistive technology, including communication devices
- Parent training and capacity building so support continues between sessions
The early childhood approach leans toward building family and everyday capability rather than clinic hours alone.
School and the NDIS
Schools fund education — teaching, classroom aides and adjustments to learning. The NDIS funds disability supports that are not part of education, such as therapy, personal care and equipment. The line between the two causes a lot of confusion.
It helps to get the school and therapists talking to each other. Ask whether therapists can observe in the classroom and share strategies with teachers, where the school allows it.
What to do while you wait
Waitlists for paediatric therapy are long in most areas, so start early and take a place on more than one list. Some providers offer group programs or parent workshops with shorter waits, which are genuinely useful in the meantime.
Tell us your suburb and what your child needs and we will check who has capacity — including waitlist times, which is usually the real question. It is free for families.
About this guide. Written and reviewed by the My Care Link Australia team as general information for NDIS and aged care participants, families and support coordinators. Read our editorial guidelines and provider review process.
This guide is general educational information only. It is not medical, legal or financial advice. For decisions about your individual situation, please speak with the appropriate qualified professional.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a diagnosis to get NDIS support for my child?
No. Children under 6 with developmental delay can be supported through the early childhood approach without a formal diagnosis, and you can contact an early childhood partner directly.
What age does the NDIS early childhood approach cover?
Children younger than 6 with developmental delay, and children younger than 9 with disability. Older children go through the standard access process.
Does the NDIS pay for a classroom aide?
Generally no. Schools fund education supports including classroom aides. The NDIS funds disability supports outside education, such as therapy, personal care and equipment.
How long are paediatric therapy waitlists?
They vary a lot by area and discipline, and can run to months in high-demand suburbs. Joining more than one list and asking about group programs helps.
What therapies are most commonly funded for children?
Speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology and behaviour support, along with parent capacity building.
Related services
NDIS Speech Therapy
Communication, swallowing and social skill support for children and adults.
NDIS Occupational Therapy
OTs help build skills for daily living, work, study and play.
NDIS Physiotherapy
Movement, strength, mobility and rehabilitation support.
NDIS Behaviour Support
Specialist practitioners support positive behaviour strategies.
NDIS Support Workers
Trained support workers for daily living, social activities and personal care.
Related conditions
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Sources and further reading
Rules, funding amounts and wait times change. We check these primary sources when we update this page, and you should confirm current details directly with them.
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)(opens in a new tab) — National Disability Insurance Agency. Official scheme information, eligibility and current processes.
- How to apply for the NDIS(opens in a new tab) — National Disability Insurance Agency. Current access request steps and forms.
- Understanding your NDIS plan budget(opens in a new tab) — National Disability Insurance Agency. How plan management and budget categories work.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission(opens in a new tab) — NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Provider registration, practice standards and complaints.
- Services Australia — Disability Support Pension(opens in a new tab) — Services Australia. Income support eligibility and claim process.