Universal Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Service
The Universal Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Service is a free universal primary health service available for all Victorian families with children from birth to school age accessed via a family's local council. Through the Universal MCH (UMCH) program, MCH nurses provide check-ins for children around key developmental ages and stages to monitor their growth and development and provide information relating to parenting, family wellbeing, and additional health information. MCH nurses also offers additional visits, first time parenting groups, and links to local community activities and services when extra support is needed.
Who
All Victorian children and their families from birth to school age.
Parents/carers will have their first contact with a MCH nurse shortly after the baby’s birth. The last scheduled MCH visit for children is at 3.5 years, however in some circumstances the service can be extended to children and their families until they begin school.
What you can get
The UMCH program is free for all Victorian families and provides 10 key ages & stages check-ins for a child at key moments from birth to 3.5 years.
These include:
- following discharge from hospital (home visit)
- two weeks
- four weeks
- eight weeks
- four months
- eight months
- one year
- 18 months
- two years
- three and a half years.
Maternal and Child Health nurses can support with parenting, development and learning, child health, family health and wellbeing, safety, immunisation, breastfeeding, nutrition and family planning.
MCH services also support linkages and referrals to local support services including supported playgroups, NDIS, and Early Start Kindergarten.
Language Loop interpreter services are recommended and available free of charge for in-person and telehealth appointments for parents/carers who need access to languages other than English. These are arranged by the MCH nurse on request.
How to access
Contact the local council and ask how to refer to the Maternal Child Health service in your local area.
Find a Maternal Child Health service in your area here.
Resources
More information about MCH Services.
The Maternal and Child Health Line and Maternal and Child Heath App are also available for families to provide additional support related to their child's growth and development.
