Supporting children with disability and their families
Better Start is a registration and information service for Australian families of children with eligible disability, trusted since 2011.
Our mission
Better Start for Children with Disability connects families of young children with early intervention services, NDIS guidance, and ongoing support delivered through trusted state-based partners.
What we do
- Information & guidance: plain-language explanations of eligibility, funding, and the transition to the NDIS.
- State-based contacts: every family is connected to a Carers Association in their state for local, on-the-ground support.
- Continuity of Support: for children who don’t transition to the NDIS, we help families understand their next steps.
- Resources & fact sheets: downloadable documents covering eligibility, services, providers, and NDIS planning.
A bit of history
Better Start was launched by the Australian Government in 2011 to provide early intervention support for children under seven with a range of eligible disabilities, including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, vision impairment, and Fragile X syndrome.
Since the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Better Start has closed for new registrations, but our information service continues to help existing participants and their families navigate the transition.
How we’re funded
Better Start is managed by Carers Australia and funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. We work in partnership with state and territory Carers Associations to deliver support directly to families across the country.
Need to get in touch?
If you have a question or want to find your state contact, visit our contact page or check the frequently asked questions.