Medicare Healthy Kids Check Now Available for 3-Year-Olds
From 1 November 2026, a new Medicare health assessment is available for children aged 3 years, up until they turn 4. It’s called the Medicare Healthy Kids Check, and it’s part of the Australian Government’s Thriving Kids initiative.
We’re pleased to offer it at all four Madison Medical Practices, and it is bulk billed directly to Medicare.
What is the Medicare Healthy Kids Check?
It’s a dedicated health assessment for Medicare-eligible 3-year-olds. Your GP looks at your child’s physical, social and emotional development, health and wellbeing. The aim is to spot any developmental concerns early and connect families with the right support.
The check is available once per child.
Why is it being introduced?
The Government’s Thriving Kids Advisory Group recommended a 3-year-old health check to improve early identification of developmental delay and neurodevelopmental differences in children. Early identification makes it easier to link families with appropriate supports, or to arrange further assessment where it’s needed.
What happens during the check?
Your GP will talk with you and your child, and carry out a basic physical examination. The check includes:
A conversation with you about:
Your child’s medical history, including previous presentations, hospital admissions, medications, immunisation status and allergies
Behaviour and wellbeing
How your child is going against age-appropriate developmental milestones
Family relationships, social circumstances, care arrangements and early childhood education and care
Family environment and routines, including nutrition, physical activity, screen use and sleep
Toileting, including bowel habits and urinary continence
A basic physical check, including:
Eyesight, hearing and oral health (teeth and gums)
Height and weight, assessed against growth charts, including body mass index
What happens afterwards?
Your GP will talk through the results and give you advice to support your child’s physical, social and emotional development, health and wellbeing. You can also ask for a written report with recommendations.
If your child needs extra support, your GP can make or arrange referrals and any necessary interventions. This includes referral to appropriate supports, such as Thriving Kids supports, or to further assessment.
Who is eligible?
Children aged 3 years who are eligible for Medicare
One Healthy Kids Check per child
If your child is under 3 or over 4 and needs a health assessment, or needs more than one assessment at age 3, they can still see their GP using standard Medicare consultation items. Children eligible for other health assessments, such as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health check, can also have those in addition to their Healthy Kids Check, where clinically relevant.
How to book
Call or book online at your nearest Madison Medical Practice. Please mention you’d like a Medicare Healthy Kids Check when booking, so we can set up the right appointment. It helps to bring your child’s Medicare details and any immunisation records you have if not already a regular patient.
Source: Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Medicare Healthy Kids Check factsheet (last updated 9 October 2026).
St Ives
The Madison Medical Practice St Ives
Suite G8, 169-177 Mona Vale Road, St Ives NSW 2075
📞 02 9440 9411
🌐 stives.themadisonmedicalpractice.com.au
