Ballarat

Ballarat Family

From baby rhyme sessions and toy borrowing to holiday care, youth activities and specialist support, Ballarat families have practical options for different ages and circumstances. You can join regular activities across Ballarat, Sebastopol, Wendouree and Lucas, while regional and mobile services extend support into homes, schools and community settings.

✨ Play, stories and early-years connections

Parent Place

City of Ballarat’s free family and children’s hub gives families with young children somewhere to play, feed and change children, join daily activities and connect with local services. Locations operate in Ballarat Central, Alfredton and Sebastopol. The central hub also has sensory supports and quiet options. As activities and support sessions vary, call 5320 5165 before visiting if you need a particular program or facility.

City of Ballarat Playgroups and Smalltalk Supported Playgroups

Community playgroups offer generally weekly, parent, carer or volunteer-led sessions for families with children aged 0–5. They provide a regular opportunity for children to play and adults to meet other families; a small contribution towards running costs may apply. Council’s Smalltalk supported playgroups are free, facilitated programs for eligible families with children from birth to school age. Priority groups apply, and families must register their interest.

Ballarat Libraries Storytimes & Play

Term-time library activities range from Baby Bounce for babies and their families to Wriggle and Rhyme for toddlers, Family Storytime and Little Languages. Sessions take place across Ballarat Library, Sebastopol Library, Wendouree Library, Lucas Community Hub and Wendouree Neighbourhood Centre. Check the timetable carefully because programs, locations and times differ.

Ballarat Toy Library

Member families can borrow toys for up to four weeks from this volunteer-run, not-for-profit library in Ballarat East. Annual memberships include volunteer-duty and non-volunteer options, giving households a way to rotate play resources without buying every item. A monthly quiet session is also listed. Confirm current membership conditions and opening times directly before making the trip.

🎉 School holidays, sport and youth participation

Ballarat Libraries School Holiday Program

Free booked activities run during school holidays at library locations in Ballarat, Sebastopol and Wendouree. Each session has a listed age range. Activities for children under 12 use a co-learning approach, with parents and carers participating as core support; children under 12 cannot be left unattended.

The Y Ballarat Vacation Care

School-holiday care is available in Wendouree, with enrolment and booking required before a child attends. Families need to pack suitable outdoor clothing, a labelled water bottle and nut-free food. Consult the current online program for dates, activities and enrolment information rather than relying on a previous holiday schedule.

Kelly Sports Greater Ballarat Holiday Program

Children from kinder to Grade 6 can take part in a Ballarat school-holiday program held at Ballarat Netball Association. Kelly Sports also lists selected school-based sport, dance, gymnastics and circus programs around the area. Activities depend on the current schedule and require booking, so check the applicable venue, age group and program dates.

City of Ballarat Youth Services

Young people aged 12–25 can explore Council programs, events, volunteering and youth-led activities. Opportunities are designed around participation and involvement in the community, with current programs, applications and event details published by the City of Ballarat. This is a useful starting point for teenagers and young adults looking to contribute ideas, build experience or join local activities.

📌 Parenting and child development

City of Ballarat Maternal and Child Health

Free support is available from birth until a child starts school. Services include home visits and consultations, developmental checks at key stages, first-time parent groups, enhanced support pathways, and sleep-and-settling options. Local drop-in sessions are offered at Parent Place and Sebastopol on specified days, so check the current arrangements before attending.

CatholicCare Victoria Regional Parenting Service

Parents, guardians and carers of children from birth to 18 can access free workshops, group programs and one-on-one parenting education or consultation. Topics include toddler behaviour, children’s worries and anger, teenagers, technology and parenting in a new culture. Ballarat and the Grampians region are covered by the service; enquiries can be made on 1800 123 228.

🛠 Disability and therapy support

Pinarc Therapy – Kids

Children can access speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, educational advice, therapy assistants, early childhood intervention, assessments and group programs. Pinarc also provides parent education and assistance with kindergarten or school transitions. Depending on the child and service arrangement, support may be delivered at home, in the community, through teletherapy or at a Pinarc clinic.

Pinarc Parent and Carer Support Groups

Ballarat Parent Carer Connect, Ballarat Autism Parent Connection and Ballarat Autism Early Years Connect give parents and carers opportunities to connect with people in related circumstances. The early-years autism group is for carers of children aged 0–12, and a formal diagnosis is not required. Families do not need an NDIS plan or another Pinarc service to join these groups.

Ballarat Community Health Paediatric Speech Pathology

Based in Lucas, this service works with children aged 2–8 and their parents or carers on communication development. Demand can be high. Families and referring professionals should call the customer service team on 03 5338 4500 or use the referral form to confirm current availability.

Ookami Kids

This Ballarat-based mobile paediatric therapy provider offers occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech pathology for babies and children. According to a child’s needs, appointments can take place in natural settings such as home, school, kindergarten, childcare or community locations across Ballarat and surrounding areas.

❤ Youth, family and safety support

headspace Ballarat

Young people aged 12–25 can seek free youth-focused help with mental health, physical health and wellbeing, work and study, peer support and sexual health. Parents and carers may also ask for help concerning a young person, including through the Parent and Carer Peer Support Program. Core intake and youth-work services are free; Medicare-funded clinician appointments require a valid Mental Health Care Plan.

The Orange Door – Ballarat

The Orange Door is a free Victorian Government access point for people experiencing family violence and for families needing support with children’s or young people’s care and wellbeing. No referral is required. Contact is available by phone, email or in person during business hours at 21 Armstrong Street North, Ballarat Central; the Ballarat contact number is 1800 219 819.

Cafs Family Services Specialist Disability Practitioner Program

This specialist Ballarat and Central Highlands pathway supports families already working with a family-services practitioner where children or young people have complex disability support needs. It offers guidance about disability systems and NDIS navigation, rather than direct therapy. Access is through the family-services practitioner or The Orange Door, not by direct self-referral.

✅ Before you attend or enquire

• Check ages and eligibility: age ranges, priority groups, referrals and funding conditions differ between programs.
• Confirm bookings and availability: holiday activities, care places, therapy appointments and support groups may require advance registration.
• Ask about accessibility: discuss sensory, communication, mobility or other access needs directly with the provider before attending.
• Clarify supervision: some activities require active parent or carer participation, while care programs require prior enrolment.
• Review current costs and schedules: fees, membership terms, venues and session times can change between terms and holiday periods.

🌟 If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving Ballarat and nearby communities, you are warmly invited to add a listing or update your existing details 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.city.