SMS4dads set to expand to support more rural and remote fathers

Wednesday, 24 September 2025

Share this story

A digital service that has supported the mental wellbeing of more than 20,000 fathers in rural and remote communities is set to expand, thanks to a $1.2 million funding boost from the Department of Health and Aged Care.

Man wearing baseball cap and suit is smiling for the camera with bushland in the background

The SMS4dads for Rural and Remote Fathers is a free prevention and early intervention service designed to engage, screen and support expectant and new fathers.

The new funding will help the program reach even more fathers while also enabling researchers to conduct a deeper study into the program's effectiveness.

Building on the success of the original SMS4dads program, SMS4RRdads addresses common parenting challenges like sleep routines, managing toddler tantrums, balancing work and family, and building strong co-parenting relationships.

It also connects with men as they transition to fatherhood, by sending text messages that link dads to online resources and regularly checking on their wellbeing and mental health.

Associate Professor Richard Fletcher - who led the development of the SMS4dads program - said SMS4RRdads addresses common challenges many new fathers in rural areas face, including a lack of information and difficulty accessing parenting and mental health services outside major cities.

“New dads are telling us that it works. We want to keep helping fathers strengthen their relationships and mental wellbeing during one of life’s most transformative stages,” Associate Professor Fletcher said.

The SMS4RRdads program has secured more than $4 million in federal funding since it was launched in 2021

The research team has partnered with a range of organisations to deliver tailored SMS4dads services to diverse groups:

  • The team has partnered with Red Nose Australia to support fathers who've experienced Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and pregnancy loss.
  • They are developing place-based messaging for First Nations fathers in the Ngaanyatjarra community in Central Australia.
  • They are working with public health services to integrate the program into maternal and child health nurse home visits. These visits currently provide care for mums and babies but can incorporate care for fathers through the integration of the SMS4dads service.
  • They have partnered with Hunter-based medical service Awabakal to integrate SMS4 Deadly Dads into its healthcare services.
  • They worked with Defence Health to deliver the service to Defence personnel and their families.
  • The researchers also identified a gap in support for teenage dads and are developing messages for new fathers aged 16 and 17 years old.

SMS4dads applies a stepped care model that connects men to appropriate support based on their level of risk. Fathers can join from 12 weeks of pregnancy through to six months after the birth of their child.

Find out more about the program here.

Related news