From 1 November 2026, children aged 3 can have a Medicare-funded health and development check with their GP, called the Medicare Healthy Kids Check.[1] It is a national Medicare item, so it is available to eligible families in every state and territory.[1]
The check itself is the same wherever you live. What differs between states and territories is the child health record book you bring along, and the other free checks your child may be offered before school. This article covers both.
Who can have the check?
The Medicare Healthy Kids Check is for Medicare-eligible children aged 3, and each child can have it once.[1] A GP or another eligible medical practitioner provides it.[1]
Children eligible for other health assessments, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health check, can still have those as well, where clinically relevant.[1] Children younger than 3 or older than 4 who need an assessment, or 3-year-olds who need more than one, can still be seen in a standard GP consultation.[1] Is your child 3 years old? Book their Healthy Kids Check before they turn 4!
Why has it been introduced?
The check is part of the Australian Government’s Thriving Kids initiative. The Thriving Kids Advisory Group recommended it to help identify developmental delay and neurodevelopmental differences earlier, and to connect children with support or further assessment where needed.[1] A parliamentary inquiry into Thriving Kids also recommended Medicare support for GPs providing child development checks.[1]
What happens at the check?
At a minimum, the GP will:[1]
- Take a health history. This covers your child’s medical history, including hospital admissions, medicines, immunisations and allergies, along with behaviour and wellbeing, developmental milestones, family and care arrangements, early childhood education, nutrition, physical activity, screen use, sleep, and toileting.
- Do a basic physical examination. This includes checking eyesight, hearing, and teeth and gums, and measuring height and weight to track growth on standard growth charts.
- Give advice to support your child’s physical, social and emotional development, health and wellbeing.
- Arrange any referrals your child needs. These may include Thriving Kids supports or further assessment.
- Offer you a written report with recommendations.
Your state or territory at a glance
Every state and territory gives parents a child health record book at birth, and most offer free nurse-led checks around ages 3 and 4. Bring your child’s book to the Medicare Healthy Kids Check so your GP can record the results.[3]
| State or territory | Child health record book | Free state checks around ages 3 to 4 |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Blue Book (My Personal Health Record)[5] | Child and family health checks at 3 and 4 years.[5] Free, opt-in checks for 4 year olds at participating preschools and long day care services.[2] |
| Victoria | Green Book (My Health, Learning and Development Record)[6] | Maternal and Child Health nurse visit at 3½ years, the last of 10 free Key Ages and Stages visits.[7] |
| Queensland | Red Book (Personal Health Record)[8] | Checks at 2½ to 3½ years and 4 to 5 years.[8] |
| Western Australia | Purple Book[9] | Child health nurse checks run until age 3.[9] A free School Entry Health Assessment is offered in the year your child starts school.[10] |
| South Australia | Blue Book (My Health and Development Record)[11] | Free Child Health and Development Checks through CaFHS at 3 years and 4 to 5 years.[11] |
| Tasmania | Blue Book (Personal Health Record)[12] | Free Child Health and Parenting Service (CHaPS) checks at 2 years and 4 years.[12] |
| Australian Capital Territory | Blue Book (Personal Health Record)[13] | Maternal and Child Health checks at 3 years and at 4 years or before starting school.[13] |
| Northern Territory | Yellow Book (My Child Health Record)[14] | Healthy Under 5 Kids checks, including at 3 and 4 years.[15] |
How it fits with your state’s free checks
Regular health checks are recommended at 18 months, 2 years, 3 years and 4 years, and a child health nurse or doctor can do them.[3] The Medicare Healthy Kids Check is offered by your GP and sits alongside your state or territory’s free nurse-led checks, rather than replacing them.
In Western Australia and Tasmania, the routine nurse-led schedule has no check at age 3.[9][12] For families there, the Medicare Healthy Kids Check fills that gap. In the other states and territories, it gives you a GP option if you can’t get to a child health clinic, or if you’d like your GP involved in your child’s care.
Healthy Start for School and Family Tax Benefit
If your child is turning 4 and you receive Family Tax Benefit Part A, they may need a health check under the Healthy Start for School requirement. Services Australia will send you a letter if this applies.[4]
- What counts. A general health check by your GP or community health clinic after your child turns 3 is accepted in every state and territory. Each state also lists its own nurse-led checks that count.[4]
- Tell Services Australia. You need to let them know the check is done before your child’s fifth birthday, online through myGov or by phone. They record only the date, not the details.[4]
- If you don’t. Your Family Tax Benefit Part A payments for that child may be reduced.[4]
Is your child 3 years old? Book their Healthy Kids Check before they turn 4!
If your child is already 3, now is the time to book their Medicare Healthy Kids Check.
This new Medicare rebateable health assessment is available to eligible children aged 3, but only once before their fourth birthday.
It’s an opportunity to check your child’s growth, development and overall wellbeing, discuss any concerns with your GP and identify whether additional support may be helpful.
Don’t miss this important window. Book your child’s Medicare Healthy Kids Check with your GP today, before they turn 4!
FIND A PRACTICEThis article provides general information only and is not a substitute for advice about your own or your child’s health. Please speak with your GP about your individual circumstances.
References
- Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Medicare Healthy Kids Check: factsheet. MBS Online, last updated 9 October 2026.
- NSW Government. Thousands more preschoolers benefit from crucial health and development checks. Media release, 16 April 2026.
- myGov. Your child’s development.
- Services Australia. Healthy Start for School.
- NSW Health. Blue Book.
- Better Health Channel (Victoria). Victorian child health record.
- Better Health Channel (Victoria). Maternal and child health three and a half year visit.
- Children’s Health Queensland. Your child’s red book.
- Child and Adolescent Health Service (WA). Child Health appointments.
- Child and Adolescent Health Service (WA). School Entry Health Assessment.
- Government of South Australia, Office for Early Childhood Development. Child health and development checks.
- Tasmanian Department of Health. Child Health and Parenting Service (CHaPS).
- Canberra Health Services. Maternal and Child Health booked appointments and child health checks.
- NT Health. My child health record (Yellow Book).
- Rural and Remote Health. Healthy Under 5 Kids program audit, Northern Territory.
