New 'safe haven' opens to support Tasmanians struggling with parenthood.
By Annika Rhoades November, 28th 2025
A new four-bed "safe haven" for Tasmanian families struggling with parenting pressures of having a new baby has officially opened in the state's north. Health Minister Bridget Archer officially opened the new Tresillian North Intensive Parenting Unit in Launceston on Friday morning, November 28, alongside Tresillian chief executive Rob Mills.
Tresillian president Dr Nick Kowalenko with chief executive Rob Mills and Tasmanian Health Minister Bridget Archer at the official opening of the Tresillian North Intensive Parenting Unit on November 28.
Based on the top level of the Launceston Health Hub, the centre aims to work with parents who might be struggling, including anything from babies who are not settling or having feeding difficulties, to toddler behaviour, to postnatal depression and anxiety. The services will be offered to the parents of children in their first 1000 days (32 months or just under three years old), with the centre featuring four bedrooms for families to overnight in.
Mr Mills said the facility would deliver important services to families in times when they might be facing the challenges that come with having a baby. "This is providing families with a safe haven to come when they're in really dire need of support," he said. He said the centre aims to see about 1000 families a year, with 200 of those families accessing the intensive parenting residential unit and 700 accessing day services.
Jorjie (left) and her baby Carter (15 months), with Dr Jeromy Muir Wilson and Education Minister Jo Palmer and Health Minister Bridget Archer. Picture supplied Mrs Archer touched on her personal connection to the centre in facilitating the partnership between Tresillian and the Tasmanian government.
She said she first met representatives of the company in Canberra while working as the federal Member for Bass, and heard they wanted to foray into Tasmania. "It is quite special for me to be standing here now as Tasmanian health minister and seeing that come full circle and come to fruition," she said. "Also for me, as a mum of five, I really understand what it's like to be a new parent and all of the journeys that people go through ... and how that intervention and support can make such a difference to families."
Endorsed midwife Vanessa Page has helped more than 260 at-risk women through pregnancy with a one-a-kind program for expecting mums, but her regional program faces imminent closure without $120,000 in urgent funding.
Checklist: your baby and your Medicare card
Parents can book day services, or if they need extra support, a four-night, five-day live-in program. Day service fees are completely covered by Medicare; residential program fees are covered by Medicare or private health insurance, and mental health support will be delivered by the Gidget Foundation Australia.
A mobile unit will also deliver services in the North-West through the 2U Van, which will visit Burnie, Central Coast, Waratah-Wynyard, and Circular Head areas two days a week.
"We know what a challenging time it can be when you first have a baby and everything that comes from that, whether that's settling, feeding, sleeping," Mrs Archer said. Mr Mills said day services for parents were already up and running on November 17, with overnight admissions starting on December 8.
Mr Mills said the Tresillian centre will work together with the Child Health and Parenting Service (CHaPS) to offer wrap-around support for families.
Parents with a concern about their baby can call the Tresillian Parent's Help Line on 1300 TAS BUB, FREECALL 1300 272 736, or go to the Tresillian website.
