ACGP welcomes Medicare move to support three-year-old health checks

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has welcomed a renewed commitment by the Federal Government to explore the reintroduction of a dedicated Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item for health checks targeting three-year-old children.

The announcement, made by Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing Mark Butler during an address at the National Press Club, reflects growing momentum behind early intervention strategies for children experiencing developmental delay or autism.

In its official media release, the RACGP noted that early childhood health assessments play a critical role in identifying developmental concerns and ensuring families can access timely, appropriate support.

In his speech, Minister Butler acknowledged the RACGP’s consistent advocacy for universal early childhood health assessments, highlighting their critical role in identifying developmental concerns and ensuring children and families can access timely, targeted support.

RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the initiative represents a vital step toward more equitable access to essential paediatric healthcare.

“Making sure these health checks are funded through the MBS really matters,” Dr Wright said.

“The early years of a child’s life are when so much of their future is shaped. What happens during that time doesn’t just affect childhood it can and does influence their entire life.

“Patients deserve to have potential issues identified and managed as early as possible, without cost or access acting as a deterrent.”

The proposed MBS item would enable general practitioners to conduct comprehensive health assessments for three-year-olds, focusing on developmental milestones, speech and language, social-emotional wellbeing and other early indicators of neurodivergence or delay.

The announcement aligns with national efforts to strengthen early childhood health systems, improve early diagnosis rates and reduce long-term barriers to participation in early learning environments. If adopted, the policy is likely to support broader goals within the National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Early Years Strategy frameworks.