It would have been good to use some low phosphorus slow release at planting - slow release acts on soil temperature and is not as efficient on top of the soil. Jane

I strongly disagree with Jane. Fertiliser should never be used at the time of planting, especially not slow release (you probably mean Controlled Release such as Osmocote).

Slow release fertilisers such as Triabon (easily dissolved but slow to be made available and not much dependent on temp). Controlled Release fertilisers such as Osmocote should only be used in potting mixes. If the medium is not watered at least each second day they continue to release (once they are wet) and the build up of nutrients can become lethal. They are only safe when watered daily or near that to disperse the nutrients and flush away the surplus.
Slow release fertilisers are very hard to find. Triabon is one (but very hard to find) and Nitrophoska Slow Release from Bunning Stores is more easily available and has a good NPK ratio for natives.
Plants should not need any fertiliser until they are about a year old.

Garry

I've used Osmocote in all my new native plantings and have never had a problem, wether it actually assists growth in the early stages, I do not know.
cheers
scott

Controlled release fertilisers such as Osmocote are used extensively here for the cultivation of succulent plants - species that are often not watered for some months when they are rested. When these plants are in active growth most growers water only about once per week. This merely results in the fertilizer lasting at least twice the usual recommended lifetime.
It is not impossible that some particularly salt sensitive plants may be adversely affected, however, I would like to see any references to published research on this subject.
The following link will open a while new world of educated sources. Link to, Succulents_grown_In_Oz

Here is a link that might be useful: A new world of information