The survey instrument and methods were developed by the Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch (now the Centre for Epidemiology and Research), NSW Department of Health, in consultation with a Child Health Survey Technical Expert Group (CHSTEG), the NSW area health services, relevant branches of the NSW Department of Health, the NSW Health Survey Program Steering Committee (HSPSC), and a range of topic area consultants. The process was consistent with that described in a report on the overview and methods of the NSW Health Survey Program 1996-2000.