Starts 1 November 2026 — subject to the passage of legislation. MBS Online’s factsheet (28 August 2026) makes the start date conditional on legislation; Services Australia’s earlier Budget sheet (12 May 2026) described the measure as not subject to legislation passing. We could not confirm passage, so check MBS Online for the live item descriptors before claiming from 1 November.
In one line
The Medicare Healthy Kids Check is a once-per-child (lifetime) health assessment for Medicare-eligible 3-year-olds, billed with the existing time-tiered items — 701–707 for GPs and 224–227 for prescribed medical practitioners. There are no new items, and the Budget sheet states no changes to descriptors, fees, bulk billing incentives, Extended Medicare Safety Net or co-claiming restrictions.
Items & fees (existing time-tiered items)
GP — items 701–707
Item
Time
Fee (100% rebate)
701
Brief — not more than 30 min
$71.00
703
Standard — 30 to under 45 min
$165.05
705
Long — 45 to under 60 min
$227.75
707
Prolonged — 60 min or more
$321.75
Prescribed medical practitioner (PMP) — items 224–227
Item
Time
Fee (100% rebate)
224
Brief — not more than 30 min
$56.85
225
Standard — 30 to under 45 min
$132.05
226
Long — 45 to under 60 min
$182.15
227
Prolonged — 60 min or more
$257.40
Figures are July 2026 MBS schedule fees (indexed each 1 July). The item is chosen by time spent, and the service must meet the descriptor and the required components below. Source for the item structure: MBS note AN.0.36.
Who and how often
Eligible: Medicare-eligible children aged 3 years. Provided by a GP (701–707) or a prescribed medical practitioner (224–227).
Frequency:once per child per lifetime.
Other children: children aged under 3 or over 4, or 3-year-olds who need more than one assessment, can continue to use the standard MBS time-tiered attendance items (MBS Online factsheet).
With other health assessments: a child who is eligible for another health assessment service — for example the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health check — can still access it in addition to the Healthy Kids Check, provided each service is clinically relevant. See the 715 billing guide.
Co-claiming: no changes to the co-claiming restrictions for 701–707 / 224–227 (Services Australia Budget sheet). Check combinations with the billing conflict checker.
Required components — documentation checklist
The descriptor says the assessment must include, but is not limited to, the activities below (MBS Online factsheet). Tick each as you document it; the note you copy lists component headings only — it contains no clinical content or patient identifiers.
1. History (descriptor item a)
2. Basic physical examination (item b)
3. Assessment, advice, action and record (items c–g)
The service is part of the Government’s Thriving Kids initiative; referral to supports (including Thriving Kids supports) or further assessment is part of what the check is meant to enable.
The health assessment is recognised as an acceptable health check for Healthy Start for School requirements for Family Tax Benefit Part A (Services Australia Budget sheet).
Providers are responsible for ensuring claims meet all legislative requirements; claims are subject to compliance checks and evidence may be requested. Post-implementation review is typically about two years after introduction. Questions on interpretation: askMBS@health.gov.au.
Sources & clinical disclaimer
MBS Online — Medicare Healthy Kids Check factsheet (PDF and web), last updated 28 August 2026. mbsonline.gov.au.
Services Australia — Budget 2026–27 measure sheet “Thriving Kids” (accurate as of 12 May 2026): no change to descriptors, fees, bulk billing incentives, EMSN or co-claiming; Healthy Start for School recognition. servicesaustralia.gov.au.
MBS Book, July 2026 — schedule fees for items 701–707 and 224–227; MBS note AN.0.36 (time-tiered health assessments).
Billing reference, not clinical advice. Confirm item descriptors and fees against the current MBS before claiming. Status as at 1 October 2026 — the start is subject to legislation.