Up to 23 per cent of parents threatened to physically discipline their children if they've been badly behaved, the Child Health Poll report by the Royal Children's Hospital found.

"Physical discipline can hang long-lasting negative effects on a child, including reduced self-esteem and psychological harm," report director Dr Anthea Rhodes said.

The report found up to 17 per cent of parents actually smacked, hit, spanked, slapped or pinched their children when they misbehaved.

Punitive or negative discipline does not help children learn what behaviour is expected from them as it centres on what not to do, Dr Rhodes said.

"Children who experience aggressive discipline are also more likely to develop aggressive behaviour themselves," she added.

However the report also showed almost all parents do use positive techniques such as praising their child's behaviour when they're good.

"The best type of attention to give a child is a positive response to desired behaviour as it encourages them to behave that way again," she said.

"If you see your child behaving well - praise them and tell them why."

The poll was conducted in August and results from the 2044 parents were weighted to reflect the Australian population.