Your child's health and development
Have a yarn about your child
Free health and development appointments are available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from birth to 5 years across South Australia.
These visits are a relaxed and friendly yarn with a qualified health professional. Together, you'll talk about your child's growth, learning and their overall wellbeing. These visits include age-appropriate activities to learn how best to support your child to grow strong in mind, body and spirit. If needed, your health professional can connect you with other providers or services to support your child and family’s unique journey.
What you can access
Supporting your child's growth and development is free for all Aboriginal families. You can choose the type of visit that feels right for you.
Free health and development visits
Health and Community services around South Australia offer welcoming, play-based visits centred around your child's growth, learning and development.
These visits are a friendly, supportive way for you to learn about your child’s development, and you can ask any questions or just have a yarn. These visits can occur in your local clinic close to home, in a Community setting or outreach locations.
The following visits are recommended during your child’s early years:
- 1 - 4 weeks
- 8 weeks
- 6 - 9 months
- 12 months
- 18 - 24 months
- 3 years
- 4 - 5 years
These suggested ages are a guide, not a checklist. You're welcome to book a yarn at any point in your child's first 5 years - you don't need to have a concern, and it doesn't matter if you haven't been before.
What to expect
A free health and development check is relaxed and led by you. Here's what it might look like:
- How long: Up to 60 minutes, depending on your child's age and your family's needs.
- What happens: A yarn with you and your child. You might play together, talk about your child's routine, strengths and interests, or chat about anything on your mind.
- What's covered: Growing, talking, moving, connecting, hearing and vision, all framed around your child's strengths.
- No judgement: These visits are centred on how your child is going and how to support your family to thrive.
- Your questions: You can ask about anything that matters to you, including sleep, feeding, behaviour, development and your child's wellbeing.
- After your visit: You'll take home some information on what you’ve talked about, along with support options or next steps if your family needs them.
Aboriginal Community-led services
The Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia (AHCSA) is the peak body for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations across South Australia. AHCSA member services provide primary health care, and many also offer child health and development checks.
Families are encouraged to contact their nearest Aboriginal health service, or other preferred child and family health provider, to talk about their child’s health, growth, and development. Each service may offer different supports, and staff can help guide you to the care that best meets your child’s needs.
The OECD has also been partnering with Nunkuwarrin Yunti and KWY to test and pilot the design and delivery of checks in ways that are Culturally safe, Community led, and accessible for Aboriginal families.
Nunkuwarrin Yunti - Strong Mums, Solid Kids
Nunkuwarrin Yunti is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation offering Culturally safe, free health and development checks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from birth to 5 years.
Kornar Winmil Yunti (KWY) - Building Up Bubs
KWY is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation offering flexible ways to access child development checks. Their Building Up Bubs program offers free development screenings to support your family’s unique journey.
Other service providers
Child and Family Health Services (CaFHS) provide free, universal child health and development checks for families across South Australia. These checks support children’s growth, wellbeing, and early learning from birth through to starting school.
CaFHS works closely with Aboriginal families and Communities to ensure services are Culturally safe, respectful, and accessible. Regular checks and ongoing support are available, and families can yarn with CaFHS staff about any questions or concerns they have about their child’s development.
You can also visit one of these other OECD-partner providers offering services across South Australia:
GPs also offer free Aboriginal Health Checks for Aboriginal people of all ages. These visits usually happen once a year and look at your child's overall health and wellbeing, including physical and emotional health.
It's completely up to you who you choose to visit. These appointments are free, welcoming and focused on supporting your family.
For more information about child health and development checks, visit our Child Health and Development Checks page.