Handbook for parents - consortium on the management of disorders of sex development

A handbook for parents with children who have intersex variations.

Headspace

Headspace centres act as a one-stop-shop for young people who need help with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drugs, work and study support. There are over 100 centres in Australia. eheadspace is the national online and phone support service, staffed by experienced youth mental health professionals. qheadspace offers online support for LGBTQIA+ young people.

How to use a condom

An animation from the Get The Facts website demonstrating how to use a condom correctly.

I think I might be transgender: a booklet made by and for transgender youth

A 22 page booklet that covers topics including what it means to be transgender and other questions such as 'What does it mean to be transgender" and "Am I normal".

Issues Paper: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex (LGBTI) children and young people

Paper by the Commissioner for Children and Young People on gender and sexual diversity.

It’s about more than just sex: curricula and educational materials to help young people achieve better sexual and reproductive health (2013)

The toolkit provides descriptions of high-quality, adult- and youth-led curricula designed to improve youth sexual and reproductive health.

Kids Helpline

Kids Helpline is Australia's only free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25. The website also provides lots of valuable information for kids and parents.

Let's talk about sex

Non-fiction

Biological and psychological information about sex: from puberty and conception to birth control and STIs, including sections on the body, families and babies, and sexual health. New edition includes expanded information on internet, texting safety, contraception and LGBT.

Let's talk about where babies come from

Non-fiction

Comics and cartoons outlining:  similarities and differences between girls and boys, growing up, reproductive organs, how babies are made, what sex is, what is love, same sex attraction, conception, pregnancy, different types of birth, genetics (e.g. hair colour), different kinds of families, keeping safe (consensual touch), HIV (but not other STI/BBVs). A book that parents/teachers can read to younger children, or older children can read themselves. 

Book review by Cath Hak 4min 36sec.

Age: 7 to 11 years.

Let's Yarn!

Let’s Yarn! has been developed to make it easier for educators, parents and health professionals to talk to young Aboriginal people about ways of developing strong, safe and healthy relationships. The website brings together useful resources developed by WA Health and other government and non-government agencies around Australia.

Love Bites

Respectful Relationships Education Program for young people aged 15-17 years. Consists of two interactive workshops: one on Relationship Violence, and one on Sex and Relationships, followed by creative workshops and community campaigns.

Making sense of sex: a forthright guide to puberty, sex and relationships for people with Asperger's Syndrome

A paperback book for teenagers and young adults with Asperger's Syndrome who have questions about puberty, sex and relationships.

Mission Australia

Mission Australia is a Christian charity. Their integrated services across Australia help people find safe and affordable housing, support disadvantaged children and families, empower troubled young people, assist people with mental illness and disability, and much more. Mission Australia conduct a number of comprehensive surveys on young people, alcohol and other drug use, homelessness and disability.

Mission Australia Youth Survey (2018)

Survey of 28,000 Australian young people aged 15-19 years. Covering topics such as: education; post school plans; employment; values and concerns; who they go to for help; family relationships; discrimination; what activities they are involved in; happiness; feelings about the future. Broken down into state responses.

Multicultural Communities Council of WA (MCCWA)

MCCWA supports and advocates disadvantaged individuals from CaLD backgrounds to realise their potential as active contributors to the economic, social and cultural life of WA. Their youth program includes a 'youth conversation circle' which provides opportunity for newly arrived migrants to practice their communication skills in a health, wellbeing (including sexual health) and relationships context.

Parent-adolescent sexual communication and adolecent safer sex behavior: a meta-analysis

An article describing the importance of parent-adolescent communication to reduce risky sexual behaviour in young people.

Parents and their support for school-based relationships and sexuality education - Western Australia Snapshot Report (2022)

This project and final report were commissioned by the Western Australian Department of Health to examine parents' and caregivers' attitudes towards school-based relationships and sexuality education. This report summaries the WA data from the broader National survey.

Perceptions and Experiences of First Sexual Intercourse in Australian Adolescent Females

This article aims to better understand the factors that influence the initiation of first intercourse among adolescent females and to explore the context in which this occurs.

Planet Puberty

A digital resource suite by Family Planning NSW for parents and carers of children with intellectual disability and/or autism.

Porn and your kids fact sheet

1 page fact sheet with tips on how and why to talk about kids about pornography.