Toddlers and preschoolers checklist

Check if you can get a Centrelink payment to help with the cost of raising your child. You may get:

• Family Tax Benefit if you earn under the income limit
• Parenting Payment if you’re a young child’s main carer.

If your child has disability or a medical condition, you may be eligible for government support for carers.

You can find payments for foster carers and non-parents carers and grandparents carers on the Services Australia website.

How to claim

You can claim a payment in your Centrelink online account through myGov.

If you haven’t linked Centrelink to your myGov account, find out how to link Centrelink.

Regular checks with a Child and Family Health Nurse or doctor can help track your child’s development.

Your state or territory government has more information about health checks.

• ACT – MACH Health Checks
• NSW – Regular health checks
• NT – Baby and child screening
• Qld – Health checks
• SA – Health Checks
• Tas – Growth Assessments
• Vic – Child Health Services
• WA – Child Health

There are free, routine vaccines for children up to 4 years of age.

You can get your child’s immunisations at your GP or local health centre. Find your local health centre on your state or territory government website.

• ACT – Child Immunisation
• NSW – Child and family health
• NT – Child vaccinations
• Qld – Child and family health
  
• SA – Immunisation services
• Tas – Learn about immunisation
• Vic – Maternal and Child Health
• WA – Immunisation programs

You can find out what immunisations your child needs on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

You can get your child’s immunisation history statement in your Medicare online account through myGov.

If you haven’t linked Medicare to your myGov account, find out how to link Medicare. 

Find out about other ways to get proof of your child’s vaccinations.

Medicare can help with the cost of seeing a doctor or specialist and getting tests and scans.

You may be able to claim money back from Medicare at your doctor’s or use your Medicare online account through myGov.

If you haven’t linked Medicare to your myGov account, find out how to link Medicare.

Find out more about Medicare and claiming your Medicare benefit through myGov.

If you spend over a certain amount on medical costs in a calendar year, you may get more money back from Medicare Safety Nets.

You can register as a family to combine your medical costs.

How to check if you’re in a Medicare Safety Net family

You can check if you’re already in a Medicare Safety Net family in your Medicare online account through myGov.

If you haven’t linked Medicare to your myGov account, find out how to link Medicare.

How to register your family

You can find the form to register your family for Medicare Safety Nets on the Services Australia website.

You can also use this form to update your Medicare Safety Net family.

Find out more about Medicare Safety Nets on the Services Australia website.

If you're concerned about your child's development or if they have disability, you may get help through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Early childhood partners can help if you have a child younger than 6 with developmental delay, or younger than 9 with disability. They can connect you to supports and services and help you apply to the NDIS.

Find out more about the early childhood approach on the NDIS website.

How to get a hearing assessment

Your GP can refer you for a hearing test or to access government funded hearing services.

Find out what government funded hearing services are in your state or territory on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

When to seek help through the NDIS

If your child has been diagnosed with permanent hearing loss, you may get help from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Find out more if your child has been diagnosed with a hearing loss on the NDIS website.

Find out if you can access low cost public dental services on your state or territory website.

• ACT – Dental services
• NSW – Dental services
• NT – Dental services for children
• Qld – Public dental services
• SA – SA Dental
• Tas – Dental Health Services
• Vic – Dental Health Services
• WA – Dental services

If you get some Centrelink payments, you may get help to pay for basic dental services through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.

If your child is eligible, Services Australia will send you a letter.

Find out more about the Child Dental Benefits Schedule on the Services Australia website.

Check your Child Dental Benefits Schedule balance

If your Medicare online account is linked to myGov, you can check your Child Dental Benefits Schedule balance online.

Once you’ve signed in, select History and statements and then Child Dental Benefits Schedule.

If you haven’t linked Medicare to your myGov account, find out how to link Medicare. 

Use the find child care tool on the Starting Blocks website to find services near you. 

When you enrol in child care, they may ask for your child’s immunisation history statement.

Check if you can get these payments to help with the cost of child care:

• Child Care Subsidy
• Additional Child Care Subsidy for grandparents
• Additional Child Care Subsidy if you’re in financial hardship
• Additional Child Care Subsidy if you’re transitioning to work, study or training.

Claim the subsidy

If your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov, you can apply for the subsidies online.

If you haven’t linked Centrelink to your myGov account, find out how to link Centrelink.

Preschool may be referred to as kindergarten in your state or territory. It’s the year before your child starts full-time school.

To find preschool services near you, use the find child care tool on the Starting Blocks website.

When you enrol in preschool, they may ask for your child’s immunisation history statement.

You may need care for your child before or after school, or in the school holidays. Outside school hours care can help.

Find a provider on the Starting Blocks website.

Check if you can get a payment to help with the cost of outside school hours care:

• Child Care Subsidy
• Additional Child Care Subsidy for grandparents
• Additional Child Care Subsidy if you’re in financial hardship
• Additional Child Care Subsidy if you’re transitioning to work, study or training.

Claim the subsidy

If your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov, you can apply for the subsidies online.

If you haven’t linked Centrelink to your myGov account, find out how to link Centrelink.