Background Addressing behaviour problems in children is increasingly becoming part of routine care. The question therefore arises as to which workforce members are best suited to deliver structured interventions and what skill sets they might need apart from knowledge of the specific parenting programme offered. Objectives To assess maternal and child health (MCH) nurses' self‐perceived confidence in dealing with child behaviour problems. Design Cross‐sectional questionnaire study. Data collection occurred prior to cluster randomization in the Families in Mind trial. Setting MCH clinics in nine local government areas in greater Melbourne, in 2010. Participants All MCH nurses in the nine areas were invited to participate, 153 (79%) completed the survey. Main outcomes measures Nurses' comfort, competency, attitudes and perceived difficulties in dealing with child behaviour problems. Results The majority of nurses (63%) viewed it as their role to deal with, rather than refer, child behaviour problems and felt that the task was rewarding (86%). They believed that parenting advice should be offered universally, rather than only to families with severe problems (94%). Nurses felt rather comfortable and competent to broach and discuss child behaviour problems without need for prior parental request, but somewhat less comfortable and competent to manage child behaviour problems or to make a difference. Experienced nurses (>10 years in practice) felt more comfortable and competent. Nurses described that the major challenge in their dealing with child behaviour problems was parental denial or resistance (60%). Conclusions MCH nurses are at the frontline of preventive medical services for families with young children where behaviour problems are a common concern. Because managing young children's behaviour problems primarily occurs through adult behaviour change, techniques addressing parent denial and non‐compliance, such as motivational interviewing and empowerment should be a part of MCH nurses' skill sets.