Ballarat

Ballarat Family

Families around Ballarat can borrow toys, join playgroups, share stories at the library and find activities for school-aged children and young people. When parenting feels demanding or a child needs extra support, local and regional services also provide practical help, developmental care and culturally informed programs.

📚 Play, learning and everyday connection

Ballarat Libraries Children’s Programs

Libraries in Ballarat Central, Sebastopol and Wendouree host Storytimes & Play alongside activities during school holidays. The current holiday program is free, although bookings and age guidance vary by session. Children under 12 participate alongside a parent or carer as co-learners and cannot be left unattended.

Ballarat Toy Library

Member families can borrow toys for up to four weeks from this volunteer-run, not-for-profit service in Ballarat East, then exchange them for something different. Annual membership choices include volunteer-duty and non-volunteer options. A monthly quiet session is also advertised; check current membership conditions and opening times before visiting.

Parent Place

Drop in to play, feed or change your child and connect with other families at the City of Ballarat’s free family-and-children hub. Activities can include baby play, craft, rhythm and rhyme, with locations in Ballarat Central, Alfredton and Sebastopol. The central hub also hosts selected drop-in support and can help families connect with local services, although staffing may affect availability.

City of Ballarat Playgroups

Community playgroups give parents and carers of children aged 0–5 a regular local setting for play and connection. Council also coordinates Smalltalk supported playgroups: free, facilitated programs comprising 10 sessions for eligible families with children from birth to school age. Priority criteria include certain concession cards, NDIS support and some referral circumstances, so ask about eligibility when enquiring.

🎒 Care, holidays and youth opportunities

Y Ballarat Outside School Hours Care

The Y operates outside-school-hours care at listed venues including Ballarat North, Newington and Our Lady Help of Christians, as well as in nearby communities. Children must be enrolled before a booking can be accepted. Permanent and casual after-school arrangements are offered, but casual places remain subject to availability; families can also check the Y’s separate vacation-care information.

City of Ballarat Youth Services

Young people aged 12–25 can explore council-run programs, events and volunteering pathways. The range of activities and enrolment arrangements changes, making the current program details the most useful starting point for young people and families planning to take part.

Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative – Koorie Family Services and Youth Programs

BADAC provides culturally informed early-years, family and youth support for Aboriginal people across Ballarat and district. Its Koorie Family Services include integrated support for families with children from newborn to 17, with self-referral available for that program. After-school youth engagement and holiday activities are also listed. Other programs, including Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making, use specific referral pathways.

🌱 Child development and family health

City of Ballarat Maternal and Child Health

Families can access free support from a child’s birth until school age, including home visits, consultations, developmental checks, first-time parent groups and sleep-and-settling assistance. Enhanced support is available where needed. Appointments operate from six local centres, while scheduled drop-in nurse sessions are held at Wendouree, Sebastopol and Parent Place, subject to the published closure schedule.

Pinarc Disability Support

This not-for-profit provider supports babies, children, teenagers, adults, families and carers from sites in Ballarat, Alfredton, Golden Point and Bonshaw. Family-relevant options include occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, kindergarten support, therapy and social groups, holiday programs, plan support and parent groups. Support is shaped around individual goals and may involve NDIS arrangements.

headspace Ballarat

Young people aged 12–25 can seek free, youth-friendly help in Ballarat Central with mental health, physical health, relationships, work and study. Parent and carer peer support is also offered. A young person, parent, carer or professional may make a referral. Core intake and youth-work support are free, while Medicare-funded clinician appointments require a valid Mental Health Care Plan.

💡 Parenting education and early help

Relationships Australia Victoria – early matters

Ballarat families can access free parenting groups and short-term family support without needing a referral to make initial contact. Programs include Tuning in to Kids for parents and carers of children aged 3–10, Tuning in to Teens for ages 10–16, and Circle of Security Parenting for newborns through to age six. Delivery may be in person, online or through local universal services.

CatholicCare Victoria – Regional Parenting Service

Parents, guardians and carers of children from birth to 18 can access free workshops and one-to-one parenting education in Ballarat and the Grampians region. Sessions help families explore practical parenting approaches, connection and ways of responding to children’s needs. Tailored workshops may also be developed for schools, kindergartens and early-years services.

Cafs – Connecting Families

Parenting groups run online and face to face across the Central Highlands, including Ballarat. Choices include programs for dads and male carers, parents of toddlers, and parents raising children or teenagers, covering attachment, communication, emotions and safe boundaries. Cafs’ co-location model is available only through participating schools and kindergartens; other families can explore a referral pathway through The Orange Door.

🤝 Support during difficult periods

Cafs – Family Services

Integrated Family Services assists children from pre-birth to 17 and their families through challenges involving parenting, family conflict, health or safety. Access is through The Orange Door. Cafs also provides more intensive family support through referral pathways involving The Orange Door or Child Protection.

✅ Before you book or visit

• Check the age range: programs may be designed for babies, preschoolers, school-aged children, teenagers or young adults.
• Confirm supervision: ask whether a parent or carer must remain, particularly for library, playgroup and holiday activities.
• Ask about access: some supports accept direct enquiries, while others require enrolment, eligibility checks, a referral, an NDIS arrangement or a Mental Health Care Plan.
• Review current arrangements: session times, bookings, staffing, vacancies, costs and holiday schedules can change.
• Discuss accessibility early: contact the provider about sensory, communication, mobility or other participation needs before attending.

✨ If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving Ballarat and surrounding communities, you are warmly invited to add your listing or submit an update so local families can find accurate, useful information.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on ballarat.guide.