From 1 November 2026, eligible 3-year-old children can access the new Medicare Healthy Kids Check.
The Healthy Kids Check is a health and developmental assessment designed to give parents and caregivers an opportunity to discuss their child’s health, development and wellbeing with a General Practitioner.
During the assessment, the General Practitioner consulting from MyClinic will consider your child’s physical health as well as their social and emotional development and overall wellbeing. The appointment can also provide an opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about your child’s development.
Where further monitoring, assessment or support may be appropriate, the consulting doctor can discuss the next steps and relevant referral options.
What Happens During a 3-Year-Old Healthy Kids Check?
During a Medicare Healthy Kids Check, the General Practitioner will assess your child’s health, development and wellbeing and discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
The assessment may include:
If the assessment identifies an area that may benefit from further review or support, the General Practitioner can discuss appropriate monitoring, further assessment or referral options.
The Medicare Healthy Kids Check provides an opportunity to review a child’s health and development at an important stage before starting school.
The assessment can help identify areas where a child may benefit from further monitoring, assessment or additional support. It also gives parents and caregivers an opportunity to discuss concerns about their child’s physical health, development, behaviour, communication or emotional wellbeing with a General Practitioner.
Not every developmental difference indicates a health or developmental condition. Where a concern is identified, the consulting doctor can discuss appropriate next steps based on the child’s individual circumstances.
If the Healthy Kids Check identifies an area of your child’s health or development that may benefit from further assessment or support, the General Practitioner will discuss this with you.
Depending on your child’s individual needs, the consulting doctor may recommend monitoring their development, arranging another assessment or referring them to an appropriate health professional or service.
This may include referral to a paediatrician or an allied health professional, such as a speech pathologist, psychologist or occupational therapist, where clinically appropriate.
Parents and caregivers can also raise any concerns they have during the appointment, even if these have not previously been discussed with a healthcare professional.
Parents and caregivers can help prepare for the appointment by thinking about any questions or concerns they have about their child’s health, development or wellbeing.
It may be helpful to bring your child’s health information, including their immunisation history, and any relevant reports or information from other healthcare professionals.
You may also wish to discuss your child’s speech and communication, behaviour, sleep, eating, physical development, social interactions or any changes you have noticed.
Providing this information can help the General Practitioner understand your child’s individual circumstances and make the assessment as useful as possible.
The Medicare Healthy Kids Check is a health and developmental assessment for eligible 3-year-old children. It provides an opportunity to review your child’s physical health, development and wellbeing and discuss any concerns with a General Practitioner.
