A Parent's Guide to Child Health Services in Australia

As a parent, ensuring your child receives the best possible healthcare is a top priority. Australia offers comprehensive healthcare services for children, from birth through adolescence. This guide covers the key health services available and how to access them for your child.

Registering Your Child for Medicare

Australian children are eligible for Medicare from birth. To add your newborn to Medicare:

• Complete a Medicare enrolment form (available at Services Australia offices or online)
• Provide your child's birth certificate or hospital notification
• Your child will be added to your Medicare card or can have their own card

Having your child registered with Medicare ensures they can access subsidised healthcare services, including GP visits, hospital care, and immunisations.

Maternal and Child Health Services

Each state and territory in Australia provides free maternal and child health services (sometimes called child health nurses or well-baby clinics). These services offer:

• Health and development checks at key ages
• Support with breastfeeding and infant feeding
• Advice on sleep and settling
• Growth monitoring
• Parenting support and education
• Immunisation information and sometimes vaccination
• Referrals to other services if needed

These services are particularly valuable in the first few years of life, with regular check-ups typically scheduled at 1-4 weeks, 6-8 weeks, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2 years, 3.5 years, and before starting school. Find maternal and child health services near you using our family health directory.

Childhood Immunisation

Australia has a National Immunisation Program that provides free vaccines for children. The immunisation schedule starts at birth and continues through adolescence, protecting against diseases including:

• Hepatitis B
• Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough
• Polio
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Pneumococcal disease
• Rotavirus
• Measles, mumps, and rubella
• Meningococcal disease
• Chickenpox
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Immunisations can be given by your GP, at maternal and child health clinics, or at some pharmacies. Keeping your child's immunisations up to date is important for their protection and is required for childcare and school enrolment benefits.

Choosing a Family Doctor

Having a regular family GP who knows your child's health history is valuable for continuity of care. When choosing a doctor for your family, consider:

• Location and convenience
• Appointment availability, including after-hours
• Whether they bulk bill for children
• Experience with paediatric care
• Communication style and how comfortable your child feels

Many GPs bulk bill children under 16, making visits free for families. Use our GP directory to find family-friendly doctors in your area.

Child Dental Benefits Schedule

While most dental care is not covered by Medicare, eligible children can receive free basic dental services under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). This program provides up to $1,095 in dental benefits over two calendar years for children aged 0-17 who receive certain government payments.

Covered services include examinations, X-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals, and extractions. Orthodontic and cosmetic dental work are not covered.

Developmental Concerns

If you have concerns about your child's development, your GP or child health nurse is the first point of contact. They can assess your child and, if needed, refer you to specialists such as:

• Paediatricians
• Speech pathologists
• Occupational therapists
• Psychologists
• Audiologists

Early intervention is crucial for many developmental issues, so do not hesitate to raise concerns with your healthcare provider.

Children with Disabilities and NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for children under 7 through Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) and for children 7 and over with permanent and significant disabilities. NDIS can fund:

• Therapies (speech, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology)
• Equipment and assistive technology
• Support workers
• Transport assistance

If you think your child may be eligible for NDIS, speak to your GP or contact the NDIS directly for an access request.

Mental Health for Children and Young People

Children and adolescents can experience mental health challenges just like adults. Support options include:

• Your family GP, who can provide initial assessment and create a mental health plan
• Child psychologists and psychiatrists
• School counsellors
• Headspace centres (for young people aged 12-25)
• Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) for phone and online counselling

Hospital Care for Children

When children need hospital care, several paediatric-specific options exist:

• Dedicated children's hospitals in major cities
• Paediatric wards in general hospitals
• Paediatric emergency departments designed for children

Children's hospitals have staff specially trained in paediatric care and facilities designed to be less intimidating for young patients. Find hospitals near you using our hospital directory.

Keeping Records

Keep track of your child's health records, including:

• Immunisation history (accessible via the Australian Immunisation Register through myGov)
• Growth charts and developmental milestone records
• Specialist reports
• Allergies and adverse reactions to medications

Having this information readily available makes healthcare visits more efficient and ensures important details are not missed.