Children's therapy services
If you have any concerns for a child's development, you can refer them to the children's allied health therapy services.
These services are free and provided to eligible children from birth to 18 years old.
Services
The services are provided by a team including:
- physiotherapists
- occupational therapists
- speech pathologists
- allied health assistants.
The team works with families and caregivers to determine the most effective way to support the child's needs.
What the team provides
The team provides:
- developmental assessments
- interventions based on identified goals
- support to educators and other community members involved in the child's care
- connection to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and other services.
Who can make a referral
The child's family can make a referral, or the following people can make a referral with the family's consent:
- caregivers
- community nurses
- educators
- GPs and paediatricians
- other health professionals.
Before you start
To make a referral, a child must:
- be covered under Medicare
- not be on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
You will need to provide:
- the child's Medicare details
- parental or guardian consent.
How to make a referral
To make a referral, complete the online form.
This form takes 10-15 minutes to finish. You must finish it in one go, as you cannot save and come back to it later.
You can also request a hardcopy form by contacting your regional team.
For referrals in the Big Rivers Region, contact the Big Rivers Allied Health Team directly.
Contact
Children's therapy services are supported by both the Children's Development Team and other NT Health community allied health services.
The Darwin Children's Development Team is based in Darwin and does not travel remotely.
Contact the team by calling 08 8922 7283 or emailing CDTAdmin.ths@nt.gov.au.
The team is located at:
First floor, Casuarina Plaza
258 Trower Road
Casuarina NT 0810
The Community Allied Health Team supports both children and adults in the remote Top End and East Arnhem regions.
Contact the team by calling 08 8924 8641 or emailing CAHT.THS@nt.gov.au.
The office is located at:
First floor, Casuarina Plaza
258 Trower Road
Casuarina NT 0810
There is no walk-in service available at this location.
Communities supported by the team include:
Greater Darwin:
- Marrakai
- Middle Point
- Batchelor
- Adelaide River
- Belyuen
- Wagait Beach
- Dundee
- surrounding homelands.
Darwin remote:
- Wadeye
- Tiwi Islands
- Maningrida
- Minjilang
- Warruwi
- Jabiru
- Gunbalanya
- Palumpa
- Peppimenarti
- Daly River
- surrounding homelands.
East Arnhem:
- Groote Eylandt
- Numbulwar
- Nhulunbuy
- Yirrikala
- Elcho Island
- Ramingining
- Milingimbi
- Gapuwiyak
- Gunyangara
- surrounding homelands.
The Big River Allied Health Team supports both children and adults.
Request a referral form or contact the team by calling 08 8973 8778 or emailing CAHT.BRR@nt.gov.au.
Send completed referrals by email to intakeCAHT.BRR@nt.gov.au.
The team is located at:
5 Kintore Street
Katherine NT 0850
Children’s Development Team in Alice Springs provides services to Alice Springs, Central Australia remote and all Barkly regions.
The team works to deliver services in community-based settings.
There is also a weekly drop-in service for occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech pathology. You don't need a referral for this.
Contact the Alice Springs Children's Development Team by calling 08 8951 6711 or emailing CDT.AliceSprings@nt.gov.au.
The team is located at:
Building A, Flynn Drive Community Health Centre
Alice Springs NT 0870