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Specialist centres 04 July 2025

Shepparton Early Parenting Centre on the way

Families in the Goulburn Valley will soon have better access to support for their little ones closer to where they live, with a site announced for a multi-million-dollar Early Parenting Centre (EPC) in Shepparton.

The Shepparton EPC will be located on an undeveloped site and new address at 6 Evergreen Way, Shepparton, between the Bangerang Cultural Centre and Philippine House.

Located in a quiet residential setting, the site is easily accessed by car and public transport, with other amenities such as healthcare, shops, and parks nearby.

The Shepparton EPC will feature:

  • 10 residential family units
  • four day-stay places
  • shared kitchen and dining areas
  • multi-purpose room
  • playroom
  • outdoor spaces
  • onsite carparking.

Take a look at an early design of the centre's exterior below.

Artist impression of the exterior of the Shepparton Early Parenting Centre, with a white facade and solar panels on the roof

Artist impression: exterior of the Shepparton EPC

What is an Early Parenting Centre (EPC)?

Having a baby or child under four years of age is a special time for families. But it can also be a stressful time.

For some, support from loved ones, their local doctor, and a maternal and child health service will be enough.

Others will experience more persistent challenges. That's where EPCs can help.

EPCs support parents or carers with children up to four years old. The centres help build parenting skills, providing support with:

  • sleep, settling or feeding
  • bonding and attachment
  • infant and child behavioural concerns
  • strengthening parenting capacity and skills.

EPCs provide four main services:

  • day-stay services – intensive day programs providing early parenting support
  • residential services – parents can stay at the centre for several days to build parenting skills and capacity
  • telehealth services – parents receive support over the telephone, either stand-alone or complementary to other EPC services
  • home-based services – tailored services providing practical supports to help families nurture and care for their child independently.

EPCs also provide wrap-around support to families with more complex needs or vulnerabilities. This includes care planning, referrals and community support.

About the EPC expansion and upgrade program

The EPC we're building in Shepparton is one of eleven new or upgraded facilities being delivered through the Victorian Government's early parenting centres expansion and upgrade program.

The program is delivering:

  • upgrades to two existing EPCs in Footscray and Noble Park
  • nine new EPCs in growing areas across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Once complete, the network of centres will support more than 5,000 extra Victorian families each year.

Find out more about the early parenting centres expansion and upgrade program.

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Last updated: 04 July 2025