The Queensland Government is delivering more free healthcare for young Queenslanders, with the free Healthy Kindy Kids program pilot officially kicking off in Townsville this week.

It’s just one of the ways the Queensland Government is delivering health services when you need them and a fresh start for Queensland.

The $37.5 million program delivers on an election commitment for free kindy kids health checks to help identify health or developmental concerns before children start primary school, so they can get a head start on vital support before it affects their formal education.

Health teams will visit registered kindergarten programs and childcare centres to provide free on-site screening for vision, hearing, speech and language development, prioritising those children whose parents and teachers have identified concerns.

Up to 60,000 children will benefit from the program each year once it is expanded across the State by the end of 2027.

Health checks will be undertaken by Queensland Health allied health assistants, allied health students or enrolled nurses under the supervision of a senior health professional.

Premier David Crisafulli said the Queensland Government was delivering the fresh start for Queenslanders, exactly as promised.

“We are delivering health services when you need them with the free Healthy Kindy Kids program to give our youngest Queenslanders the best start possible,” Premier Crisafulli said.

“Early screening is critical to identify health concerns and provide specialist support for kids where needed, before they start school.

“We have heard from early childhood educators that undiagnosed health and developmental issues in young children can lead to disengagement from education, and this can result in long term learning difficulties.

“While we are seeing elective surgery down and important progress on the Hospital Rescue Plan, there is much more to be done to restore health services when you need them, and we remain committed to delivering the fresh start we promised.”

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said South East Queensland kindies would start getting the program from March 2026, before a statewide rollout.

“This program will remove barriers for Queensland families to access essential health checks for free and be supported so their children can reach their full potential,” Minister Nicholls said.

“The Queensland Government is investing $37.5 million towards the Healthy Kindy Kids program which will boost the health and wellbeing of young Queenslanders now and into the future.”

Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek said the Queensland Government was committed to supporting children at this critical age, prior to commencing school.

“Healthy Kindy Kids will help to identify children who have undiagnosed health or development issues, so we can swoop in sooner and provide the support they need,” Minister Langbroek said.

“The Department of Education will work closely with the Department of Health to give all Queensland kids the best possible start in life.”