- Parenting support provider Ngala now taking bookings for its free residential parenting service
- $39.5 million investment by Cook Government is removing financial barriers to this vital service
- Demonstrates State Government's commitment to ensuring all Western Australians can access the healthcare they need, when they need it
Western Australian families will be able to access free parenting support through Ngala from next month thanks to a $39.5 million investment from the Cook Government.
Ngala is now taking bookings for its residential parenting service, which provides professional support to WA parents going through a challenging time after the birth of a child.
From 13 October 2025, families will be able to visit Ngala's purpose-built parenting service in Kensington for a day, or stay for up to three nights, at no cost.
The program provides a range of supports including early mental health intervention and prevention - for the parents and baby - in a residential setting.
Ngala can accommodate up to 14 families for overnight stays and 20 families for day-stays each week, meaning up to 1,734 families can be supported on-site each year.
Through the service, parents will be able to access Ngala's multi-disciplinary team to assist with a range of parenting challenges with no out-of-pocket costs or GP referral required.
During that time, families will work closely with health and mental health experts, including child health nurses, midwives, lactation consultants, clinical psychologists and social workers, to develop targeted strategies to solve challenges specific to each family.
The service aims to support families and reduce the number of hospital presentations resulting from mental health complications for parents and babies.
Funding for Ngala's service is part of the Cook Government's $107.6 million boost to mental health supports for young children, adults and families as part of the 2025-26 State Budget.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"Becoming a parent is a memorable and rewarding time of your life but it also comes with its challenges.
"That's where Ngala's residential parenting service comes in, providing critical early intervention and parenting supports for families who need it.
"This significant investment from my government means Ngala can offer its important service to families free of charge - and expand it from four to seven days per week.
"We are working hard to ensure that all Western Australians can access the healthcare they need, when they need it."
As stated by Mental Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"We understand parents can face a range of challenges following the birth of a child that can impact the mental health and wellbeing of families.
"That is why our government is proud to be supporting more families to access Ngala's vital residential parenting service for free through this investment.
"The early intervention and prevention support this service will provide will not only support happier families, but it will also help reduce hospital presentations by addressing post-birth mental health challenges before they escalate."
As stated by Ngala CEO Michelle Dillon:
"This is a huge win for WA and we are extremely grateful for this funding.
"Parenting guidance from books and friends is great, but some situations require professional support, which is difficult to access for many.
"At Ngala, parents will know the advice they are getting is informed by the latest evidence and research and is the right path to take for their family.
"Now, not only do families get high quality, professional early intervention at no cost, but it will also reduce the burden on our primary healthcare providers.
"We can't wait to continue supporting WA families, and we are so happy to know we won't have to turn anyone away because they can't afford our service.
"This will be a hugely valuable support for WA parents, families and children."
