Strengthening Parent Support Program Resources

Free wellbeing activities, workshops and information sessions for carers across Victoria. Proud sponsors of several of our Parent Support sessions. See what's on.

Whether you're already part of our community or just discovering what we offer, the Caring for YOU Initiative, including our Cosy Tents Getaways, is designed to support carers to rest, recharge and reconnect.

If you're currently registered with the Strengthening Parent Support Program (SPSP), you're automatically included, no further action needed.

If you’re not part of the program but feel you could benefit, or know someone who might, we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more at Gateways.com.au

Respite, community participation and wellbeing programs for carers. genu.org.au.

Weekly groups for parents and carers of children with disability or additional needs, with local groups in Armstrong Creek East and Corio. Contact Sharna Anderson at sharnaa@mytimevic.com.au or visit mytime.net.au.

VMCH offer a range of programs and events for carers. To find out what's available and get yourself registered, start by booking a call with their team. Book a call via vmch.com.au.

Wathaurong provides culturally safe respite options including in-home help and group activities across Geelong, Colac and Ballarat. Find out more at wathaurong.org.au.

A not-for-profit run by parents and carers themselves, offering online workshops, webinars and virtual peer support groups for families of children with disability, autism, developmental delay, genetic or rare conditions and medical needs. Lots to explore. Browse upcoming events.

Free events for carers happening across Victoria, lunches, workshops, wellbeing sessions and more. Worth a browse to see what's on near you. View the events calendar.

A free space from MOIRA (a disability and family services charity) where parents, family members and carers can connect with others and access expert-led events, support groups, courses and resources. Explore MOIRA Connect resources.

The NDIS runs free webinars and events on topics like understanding your plan, recent changes and getting the most from your funding. Browse what's coming up. See upcoming NDIS events.

Workshops for parents and carers of autistic school-aged children. Upcoming workshops.

Monthly webinars and lived-experience resources on school attendance challenges. Upcoming webinars.

Online  ·  Live panel conversations  ·  Thursday 1 Oct

27 webinars on PDA, autism and ADHD, themed around capacity and capability — why someone can manage something one day and not the next. Speakers include parents, PDA adults and clinicians. Free to watch during the Summit, with a paid option to keep access until September 2027. Get your ticket.

Monday 5 October, 1pm  ·  Armstrong Creek Community Centre, 46/70 Central Blvd, Armstrong Creek (Room 3)

A paramedic covers when to call 000, what to do if your child is sick or injured, and recognising common childhood emergencies. Fire Rescue Victoria covers home fire safety, testing smoke alarms and making a fire escape plan. Book your place.

Wednesday 7 October, 1–2pm  ·  Online (Microsoft Teams)  ·  register by Tuesday 6 October

The NDIA explains what the new NDIS legislation means for participants, families and carers — plan reassessments, support determinations, how decisions will be made, and what to know when using your plan. Includes an estimated timeline. Find out more and register. More dates available — see all sessions.

Saturday 10 October, 10am–4pm  ·  St Mary's Anglican Church, Sunbury

An in-person seminar on where ADHD and demand avoidance overlap, including PDA and the role of trauma, with practical strategies for supporting at home. Open to parents, carers, professionals and neurodivergent adults. Book your place.

Tuesday 13 October, 7–8pm  ·  Online

A parent whose child has just started Year 7 shares what helped with the move to secondary school — preparing for the transition, priorities and adjustments in the first term, relationships, the challenges and the unexpected positives. For parents and carers of students starting high school. Find out more and register.

Thursday 15 October  ·  Portarlington Neighbourhood House

A free workshop for parents and carers of children aged 3–7, on building strong foundations for learning, confidence and connection. Book your place.

Wednesday 21 October, 11:30am–1pm  ·  Online

What the changes to the NDIS Act mean for autistic people, families and carers — what's already in place, what's before Parliament, how it affects current participants and people applying in future, and how to prepare. Can't make it live? Register anyway and you'll be sent the recording. Register here.

Wednesday 28 October  ·  Online

A free workshop for parents and carers of children aged 3–7, on building strong foundations for learning, confidence and connection. Book your place.

A free, not-for-profit health education and empowerment program for mothers of children with disability — covering stress, healthy eating, active living, mental wellbeing, building support and finding balance. Self-paced online modules you can do in your own time. Visit healthymothers-healthyfamilies.com.

Learn to recognise and respond early to disordered eating in children and teens, through a short online masterclass and fortnightly online drop-in sessions with a dietitian and lived-experience carers. Find out more.

A free peer support program for parents — set goals, take practical steps and connect with other families. Find out more at plumtree.org.au.

Two self-paced online programs: one for parents of teenagers (via headspace) and one for parents of primary school-aged children. Teenagers · Primary school.

A regional calendar of parenting programs across Geelong and Barwon South West, including Bringing Up Great Kids, Tuning in to Kids and Teens, Circle of Security, The Dad Workshop, and parenting after separation. Browse the latest calendar and register your interest. Term 4 calendar.

A 30-minute online course from Aspiration Child Psychology that helps parents and carers build on their child's strengths, respond to challenging behaviour and navigate difficult days with confidence. Start the program.

A free, self-directed online course for parents and carers of children under 12. Covers managing screen time, healthy digital habits, online safety and handling conflict around devices — do it at your own pace, any time. Access the free course.

Supporting young people aged 4–25 who provide care for a family member with disability, illness, mental illness or addiction. Little Dreamers offer a range of programs, events and support — including a free quiz to help young people identify if they're a young carer. Visit littledreamers.org.au.

A national organisation for the brothers and sisters of people with disability, chronic illness or mental health challenges — with peer programs for children and teens, resources for adult siblings, and tools for planning ahead alongside a sibling. siblingsaustralia.org.au.

A national online hub for young carers up to 25 — information, resources and ways to connect with other young carers. It's also home to the Young Carer Bursary Program, which offers $4,000 bursaries to help with education costs alongside a caring role. Visit youngcarersnetwork.com.au.

Carers Victoria is calling for action to support Victoria's 750,000+ unpaid carers ahead of the 2026 Victorian State Election. Their five-point plan focuses on reducing the cost of caring, increasing support and respite, earlier intervention, stronger local supports and greater recognition of carers. Find out more and access tools to contact your local MP. Learn more and get involved.

Carers Victoria's guide to the Carer (we care) Card, Companion Card, Carer Gateway card and more — what each offers and how to apply. Read the guide.

Plain-language legal information for young people and supporters, covering topics including housing, money, safety, school and work. Explore Legal Link Up.

Children and young people under 25 now have expanded access to speech pathology through Medicare, including support for speech sound disorders and stuttering. Read more.

A clear overview from the Association for Children with a Disability. Read it here.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing's overview of the new NDIS laws, with the dates each change starts. Covers access and eligibility (including for children aged 8 and under), plan budgets, plan reassessments and claims, plan management and support coordination. Downloadable summaries for participants are at the bottom of the page. Read the overview.

The NDIA updates its Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits each year, effective 1 July. If you're an NDIS participant, your plan budget is adjusted automatically in July (funding is indexed from 13 July) to reflect the new prices — you don't need to request a plan review just for this. It's worth reviewing any service agreements with your providers, as they should discuss and agree any changes with you first. Read about the pricing updates.

Starting October  ·  Geelong  ·  Dates to be confirmed

A five-week program for dads: two hours each week with a local team of around 15 dads, including a workout at your own pace, a chat about the real stuff of being a dad, and one small thing to try at home. All fitness levels welcome, at no cost. Register now to hold a spot. Find out more.

Every second Monday, 10.45am–12.45pm  ·  Torquay Community House

A new group for people with intellectual and cognitive disability to connect, share experiences and help shape a more inclusive community. Free, everyone welcome, light refreshments provided. Contact David on davidh@valid.org.au or 03 9114 9419.

Every second Wednesday, 9am–12pm  ·  Torquay Community House

Wellways' free drop-in support for families and carers is now available on the Surf Coast. Find out more.

Online, bi-monthly  ·  Thu 5 Nov, 10am–12pm

A new online group for parents and carers of children and young people up to 25 — a supportive space to connect and share experiences. Open to Barwon and South West carers registered with Carer Gateway. To register, email cs.events@barwonhealth.org.au or call 03 4215 7600.

A week to recognise the more than 3 million Australians caring for a family member or friend. This year's theme is "Care for a carer: Making carers visible." Carers Victoria runs events across the state during the week — we'll share what's happening locally closer to the date. See what's on with Carers Victoria.

Thu 22 Oct, 5:30–8pm  ·  Australian National Surfing Museum, 77 Beach Rd, Torquay

An evening screening of short films, with refreshments. No cost to attend, but tickets are needed. Get tickets.

A comprehensive, plain-language guide to financial supports available to families of children with disability — covering Carer Allowance, Carer Payment, Child Care Subsidy, help with school and health costs, one-off payments, concession cards and more. Explore the guide.

Answer a few quick questions and the Victorian Government's Savings Finder shows you what discounts, rebates and benefits you may be eligible for across energy, transport, health, education, family and more. Try the Savings Finder.

Your local MCH service supports families with child development, feeding, sleep, behaviour and wellbeing. Free consultations, with Enhanced MCH support available for families needing extra help. Free MCH Line 24/7 on 13 22 29. Learn more.

Online programs for parents and carers of young children with developmental concerns or disability, designed to build confidence, knowledge and practical skills. Program finder.

Gateways is partnering with Envisage to bring a 3-week in-person program to the Barwon region, from the week of 19 October.

Inclusive playgroups for children with disability or developmental concerns and their families. No diagnosis is required. Find a playgroup.

A Geelong-developed website with practical strategies, local services and tailored support for children's behaviour and emotions. FindWays.

A practical online guide for autistic people, families and carers, offering personalised information and step-by-step guidance across topics including diagnosis, therapies, daily life, school, the NDIS and transitions. autismwhatnext.com.au.

Trusted, evidence-based parenting information from pregnancy onwards, including disability resources, developmental information and practical parenting strategies. raisingchildren.net.au.

A free app with short, personalised tips to support your child's social and emotional wellbeing and help you feel more confident navigating everyday parenting moments. Get the app.

A free online hub for parents and carers of autistic children under 5 — plain-language information on early signs, diagnosis, therapies and early intervention, the NDIS, starting childcare or kinder, and looking after yourself along the way. A good place to start if you're early in the journey. Explore the hub.

Group sessions from the council's Maternal & Child Health team on newborn behaviour, starting solids, fussy eating, toilet training, toddler sleep and toddler emotions, plus Dadfit for dads. Run online and at local family centres, at no cost. Questions: 5272 4741. See upcoming sessions.

Free phone counselling for unpaid carers, available weekdays 8am–6pm. Call 1800 422 737 (Option 2). Appointments are often available quickly. carergateway.gov.au.

Free or low-cost short-term counselling for families caring for someone with disability, supporting relationships, planning ahead and family wellbeing. Call 1300 003 224 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) or enquire online. Find out more.

A free drop-in service for families and carers supporting someone experiencing mental health challenges, substance use challenges and/or neurodivergence. Supports include counselling, peer support and practical assistance. Find out more.

Bulk-billed online psychology through Medicare for eligible clients. Telehealth appointments are available with a Mental Health Treatment Plan. someone.health.

A national autism helpline providing independent information and advice for autistic people, families and carers by phone, email and webchat. Call 1300 308 699, 8am–7pm weekdays. amaze.org.au.

Free disability advocacy, information and referrals across the Colac Otway and Surf Coast regions. Call 03 5232 1009. coras.com.au.

Disability advocacy and support for people with disability, families and carers across the Barwon region, including assistance with NDIS appeals and rights-based support. riac.org.au

The Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability — advocacy, self-advocacy and family training focused on people with intellectual disability. Free call 1800 655 570. valid.org.au.