The Australian Government has introduced a Medicare Healthy Kids Check for three-year-old children, available from 1 November 2026. The health check aims to identify developmental and health concerns early, helping families access appropriate advice, assessments and support before their child starts school.
For parents wondering whether their child is meeting developmental milestones, the new check provides an opportunity to discuss communication, learning, behaviour and overall development with their doctor.
What Is the Medicare Healthy Kids Check?
The Medicare Healthy Kids Check is a health and developmental assessment conducted by a GP or other eligible medical practitioner for children aged three.
It forms part of the Australian Government’s Thriving Kids initiative, which aims to improve access to early childhood developmental information and support.
The check considers a child’s physical, social and emotional development, health and wellbeing. It can help identify areas where further monitoring, assessment or intervention may be beneficial.
Who Is Eligible for the Healthy Kids Check?
The check is available to children who:
- Are aged three years, from their third birthday until before their fourth birthday.
- Are eligible for Medicare.
- Have not previously received a Medicare Healthy Kids Check.
The assessment can be claimed once per eligible child.
Parents can contact their usual GP to arrange an appointment. Medicare benefits are available, although families should confirm any out-of-pocket costs with their medical practice.
Children outside this age range, or those needing further assessment, can still speak with their GP about other appropriate Medicare services.
What Does the Healthy Kids Check Assess?
The check covers several important areas of a child’s health and development.
These include:
- Physical development: Growth, movement, coordination and general physical health.
- Communication and developmental milestones: How a child is progressing with age-appropriate developmental skills.
- Social and emotional development: Behaviour, interactions, wellbeing and emotional development.
- Hearing, vision and oral health: Basic checks that may identify concerns requiring further investigation.
- Daily routines: Sleep, nutrition, physical activity, toileting and other factors affecting health and development.
The assessment also provides an opportunity for parents to discuss any concerns about their child’s progress.
What Happens If a Developmental Concern Is Identified?
If a GP identifies a possible developmental concern, they may recommend further monitoring, assessment or referral to appropriate health and developmental services.
Depending on the child’s individual needs, this could include Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, paediatric assessment or other community supports.
A health check does not automatically mean a child has a developmental delay or requires therapy. It helps families understand whether additional investigation or support may be appropriate.
Parents also do not need to wait until their child turns three to seek advice about developmental concerns.
How Can Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy Help?
Early childhood is an important period for developing communication, learning, play and everyday independence.
At Innerlink Therapy, our Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists work with children and families to understand developmental strengths and challenges and identify practical ways to support participation in everyday activities.
Speech Pathology
Speech Pathology assessment and therapy may support children experiencing difficulties with:
- Speech clarity and pronunciation
- Understanding and following instructions
- Expressing thoughts, needs and ideas
- Developing language and communication skills
- Social communication and interactions
Learn more about our Speech and Language Assessments for Children.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy assessment and therapy may support children experiencing challenges with:
- Fine motor skills and coordination
- Sensory processing and regulation
- Play and participation
- Dressing, toileting and other daily routines
- Independence in preschool and everyday activities
Explore our Occupational Therapy services.
Our therapists can also work collaboratively with families and early childhood educators to develop practical strategies that support children’s participation at home and preschool.
How Does the Healthy Kids Check Relate to Thriving Kids?
The Medicare Healthy Kids Check is one component of the Australian Government’s broader Thriving Kids initiative.
Thriving Kids is being introduced progressively to improve access to information and developmental supports for children aged eight and under with developmental delay or autism.
A GP may recommend appropriate Thriving Kids supports, where available, or other services following a health assessment.
However, completing the Medicare Healthy Kids Check does not automatically provide funding for Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy.
Families can learn more through the Australian Government’s Thriving Kids website.
Supporting Families in Belmore and Surrounding Sydney Suburbs
Innerlink Therapy provides Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy services from our Belmore clinic, supporting families across Canterbury-Bankstown, Sydney’s Inner West and surrounding suburbs.
Our team includes clinicians who speak English, Arabic, Greek and Tagalog, helping us work with families from diverse language backgrounds. Please ask about clinician language availability when enquiring.
We recognise that children develop at different rates and that growing up with more than one language does not itself cause a speech or language disorder.
Our approach focuses on understanding each child’s needs, family circumstances and everyday communication environment.
Concerned About Your Child’s Development?
If you have questions about your child’s speech, language, communication or everyday development, consider discussing them with your GP or an appropriately qualified allied health professional.
Innerlink Therapy provides assessment and therapy services for children and works collaboratively with families to identify practical ways to support communication, learning and daily participation.
Contact Innerlink Therapy to discuss your child’s needs and available assessment options or call 02 8065 1197.
Official information: Australian Government announcement – New Medicare Health Check for 3-Year-Old Children, 2 November 2026
Information Disclaimer
Information current as at 3 November 2026. This article provides general information and does not replace individual medical advice.
This article is provided for general information and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice or replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Medicare eligibility, benefits and program arrangements may change. Families should consult their GP or Services Australia for current information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Medicare Healthy Kids Check free?
The check is eligible for Medicare benefits. Whether there is an out-of-pocket cost depends on the medical practice’s billing arrangements. Ask your GP clinic whether the appointment will be bulk billed.
Does my child need to have a developmental concern to receive the check? No. Medicare-eligible three-year-olds can access the check even when parents have no specific developmental concerns, provided the assessment is clinically appropriate.
Can the Healthy Kids Check diagnose autism or developmental delay?
The check may identify developmental concerns or neurodevelopmental differences that require further investigation. It is not a substitute for a comprehensive diagnostic assessment when one is needed.
Does the check include free Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy? No. The Healthy Kids Check is a medical assessment. Any subsequent Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy services have separate funding and eligibility arrangements.
Learn more about funding options for therapy.
Can I contact a Speech Pathologist without completing the Healthy Kids Check? Yes. Families can contact Innerlink Therapy directly to enquire about private Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy assessments without first completing the Healthy Kids Check.