Introduction

This guideline relates to appropriate referrals to The Royal Children's Hospital Wadja Aboriginal Family Place, a culturally sensitive service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families. Families attending this clinic will need confirmation of Aboriginality.

When to refer

The Wadja paediatric service accepts new referrals for children < 16 years of age (at the time of referral) of children with:

• Developmental
• Behavioural
• General Paediatric care
• Children in Out of Home Care (see notes below for referral process)
• Children with complex medical needs who do not already have a paediatrician

  For existing RCH patients, already attending RCH outpatient clinics:  

• Case management and cultural support is available through referral to Wadja Case Managers through Epic  (i.e. these patients do not need to be referred to Paediatric Clinic to receive culturally safe case management)

  Clinical exclusions

• The child needs urgent care within weeks
• The child has a primary mental health condition
• Situations where there is immediate risk of harm to self or others
• Conditions that can be managed at primary care level (E.g Asthma/Iron deficiency)

Wait time for appointments

Specialist Clinics wait times

Services available closer to home

Consider whether there is a more local service that could provide culturally safe care.

A list of local and regional Aboriginal Health Services that provide Paediatric Services is available on the RCH Clinical Practice Guidelines

CPG: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health: services and support

How to refer

Specialist Clinics referral

If a child is in Out of Home Care, if known please provide details regarding:

• Court Orders currently in place
• Legal Guardian
• Biological Parents
• Current Carers
• Child Protection and / or VACCA Case managers
• Community Service Organisations managing placement

CONSIDERATIONS (BUT NOT NECESSARILY EXCLUSIONS)

• Priority will given to children who do not already have an existing paediatrician
• If wishing to transfer care from an existing paediatrician to a Wadja paediatrician, responsibility for ongoing prescribing of medications must remain with the existing paediatrician up until they are seen at Wadja
• Children should be linked to a local ACCHO and have and Annual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Check (MBS 715)
  
• Annual health checks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Resources and links

• Wadja Aboriginal family place resources

Acknowledgements

The development of this guidelines waas coordinated by the Department of Aboriginal Health. Guideline reviewed in July 2026