With the NDIS flagged as a key area for reform in the Federal Budget, the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is urging the Federal Government to prioritise early childhood health by funding specialist GPs to identify, and provide support for children with developmental delay and disability with a $160 million investment in children's health.
National Disability Insurance Agency data released previously to media showed 120,000 NDIS participants are children aged eight and younger with low or moderate support needs for either autism or development delays, the cohort the Thriving Kids reforms due to commence in October aims to support.
The RACGP initiative would extend Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Health Assessment items to fund annual, proactive, and comprehensive developmental checks delivered by a child's regular GP for the first 2000 days, or five-and-a-half years, of life.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said this will support GPs to both uncover developmental concerns early so children receive timely support through the Federal Government's Thriving Kids program, and identify other health issues and opportunities for all families.
"The first 2000 days of a child's life shape their future," Dr Wright said.
"Specialist GPs are uniquely placed to identify developmental concerns early, support families, and coordinate care, but they need the right tools and funding to do it effectively.
"Appropriately funded comprehensive health checks every year would allow GPs to identify developmental delay and conditions like autism spectrum disorder earlier, but this investment would help all children to thrive.
"This will support the coming Thriving Kids reforms, but it's not limited to Thriving Kids. This is about ensuring every child is set up for success in school and their early life.
"This investment will ensure children get the support they need at the right time, rather than waiting until challenges become harder and more costly to address."
For most families, their GP is the primary healthcare provider during early childhood. Specialist GPs regularly collaborate with allied health professionals and early childhood education settings, but fragmented referral pathways and limited-service availability often delay support, particularly for children with mild-to-moderate needs.
Annual Health Assessments during every child's first 2000 days would:
- enable early screening and identification of developmental concerns, including autism, well before the current average age of diagnosis
- support the development of key skills such as communication, social interaction, motor skills and emotional regulation
- identify nutritional and dental issues that may affect long-term health
- ensure mental health and wellbeing are included in early childhood checks, in line with national guidelines.
Where ongoing support is needed, families would be connected to services through a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, with the number of funded services based on clinical need.
This initiative will benefit:
- the one in five children with a disability or developmental concern
- children who will experience improved early life experiences, health and development
- families who will be better equipped to support their child's needs
- GPs and young families who will build strong, ongoing relationships during the most formative years.
Investing in early childhood health delivers long-term social and economic benefits. Children who receive early support are more likely to thrive at school and less likely to require costly educational or healthcare interventions later in life.
The RACGP estimates the investment required at $160.4 million over four years, with annual costs rising as more children access timely developmental checks.
The initiative directly supports key government strategies, including Measuring What Matters and Early Years Strategy 2024–34.
Dr Wright said the evidence is clear and the opportunity is significant.
"Early childhood is where we can make the biggest difference," he said.
"By funding annual developmental checks, the Government can help ensure every child has the best possible start in life."
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