GPs will now screen toddlers for developmental issues under new Medicare program
From today, Medicare will help pay for GPs to screen three-year-olds for developmental problems.
The Medicare Healthy Kids Check is part of the Thriving Kids program. The program aims to find children early who need help before they start school.
GPs will check a child's medical history, behaviour, relationships, toileting, sleep and development against typical milestones. If a concern is found, doctors can refer the child to speech therapists, playgroups or other support services.
More than one in five three-year-olds already have at least one developmental concern. The government will help pay for the check through existing programs, but it is not guaranteed to be free when families visit.
Some experts raised concerns that GPs may lack training and that not all practices will bulk bill, which could mean families still face out-of-pocket costs.
- Medicare Healthy Kids Check
- Program name
- 3-year-olds
- Age screened
- More than 1 in 5
- With developmental concerns
- 2015
- Previous check axed
Why it mattersEarly help can prevent children from falling behind at school and helps families avoid expensive private assessments.
AustraliaHundreds of thousands of Australian three-year-olds can now access this screening for free, though the follow-up support services won't be fully in place until January 2028 in many states.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
