Child Health Services in Northern Territory

Free maternal and child health care in Northern Territory

Child Health Services is the free maternal and child health service in Northern Territory, delivered by nt health through local health centres. 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 Child Health Services
  • Delivered by NT Health through local health centres
  • 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 Northern Territory offers

  • Free service for children birth to 5 years
  • Health and development screening
  • "Yellow Book" (NT child health record)
  • Services contact families after hospital discharge
  • No referral needed

How to find your local service

Services through local community care centres or remote health centres

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?

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