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Melbourne General Practice Network

Healthy Start for School Initiative

General Practices should begin to see an increased interest in the 4 year old health check due to the commencement of The Healthy Start for School Initiative on 1 July 2011. For a parent receiving income support during the financial year in which their child turns four, the child will be required to undergo a relevant health check to ensure they are healthy, fit and ready for school. The patients who will be affected by this new initiative will include those who:

  • Are receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A,
  • Have a child turning four; and 
  • Have received an income support payment from Centrelink (e.g. Parenting Payment, Newstart Allowance, etc.) or the Department of Veterans' Affairs, at any time during the financial year in which their child turns four.

Parents or carers may choose to have the health assessment completed at a medical practice or through the maternal and child health centres. For more information please see the flyer or contact Kelly.phuah@mgpn.com.au  

The health assessment must include the following examinations and assessments:

  • Height and weight 
  • Eyesight 
  • Hearing 
  • Oral health (teeth and gums) 
  • Toileting Allergies

The health assessment must also include:

  • Information collection including takinga patient history 
  • Making an overall assessment of the child 
  • Recommending appropriate interventions 
  • Providing advice and information to the child's parent(s) or carer 
  • Keeping a record of the health assessment and offering the child's parent(s) or carer a written report about the health assessment 
  • Updating any relevant records such as a parent-held child health report.

Failure by parent or carer to organise and complete the health check will result in the Family Tax Benefit Part A Supplement for the child to be withheld.

Templates:

Additional resources: