Maternal, Child and Family Health (MACH) Service in Australian Capital Territory

Free maternal and child health care in Australian Capital Territory

Maternal, Child and Family Health (MACH) Service is the free maternal and child health service in Australian Capital Territory, delivered by canberra health services. There is no cost and you do not need a referral. They cover growth and development, feeding, immunisation reminders, your own wellbeing, and referral onward when something needs more.

At a glance

  • Service Maternal, Child and Family Health (MACH) Service
  • Delivered by Canberra Health Services
  • Cost Free
  • Referral None needed

Contact

What this service does

Maternal and child health services are the free, government-funded nurse checks that follow you and your baby through the first years. They cover growth and development, feeding, immunisation reminders, your own wellbeing, and referral onward when something needs more.

What Australian Capital Territory offers

  • Free service for children birth to 5 years
  • First home visits after baby is born
  • Child health clinics at various Canberra locations
  • "Blue Book" health checks
  • Breastfeeding support clinics
  • New parent groups (4-week program)
  • No referral needed

What it costs

These services are free. You do not need a referral, and you do not need private health insurance.

National helplines, any time

  • healthdirect, 1800 022 222 (24/7): Speak with registered nurses any time
  • Pregnancy, Birth and Baby, 1800 882 436 (7am-midnight AEST): Maternal child health nurses for pregnancy and early parenting support

Questions worth asking

  • When is my next check, and what will it cover?
  • Can I bring up how I am going, not only how the baby is going?
  • What groups run near me for parents with babies the same age?
  • Who do I ring if something worries me between appointments?
  • Can you refer me to a lactation consultant, a physio or a psychologist?

Others like this

Related reading