Expanding the program
We are expanding our NBS programs to increase the number and consistency of conditions we screen. We are working in partnership with states and territories who deliver NBS programs through their hospital and pathology networks.
The Australian Government is investing $107.3 million from 2022–23 to 2027–28 to support expansion. This includes:
- $39 million funding committed from Budget 2022–23, including funding of $25.3 million for states and territories
- $68.3 million committed from Budget 2024–25, including funding of $43.3 million (announced through MYEFO 2024–25) for states and territories.
The expansion of Australia’s NBS programs will deliver:
- a more consistent program that families can continue to trust
- an increase in number of conditions screened
- equitable screening and access, regardless of location
- opportunities for the public to contribute to the process
- a more open, transparent and accessible process to identify and consider conditions
- a collaborative approach across states and territories that brings all Australian health ministers together.
To learn more about what expansion means for you, progress this far, and upcoming milestones, read our NBS expansion fact sheet.
Key milestones
Key milestones this far include:
- agreeing a national list of target conditions, and achieving national consistency against this list
- the endorsement of the national decision-making pathway by all Australian health ministers
- a total of 73 conditions either being screened, agreed for screening, being considered or that have been considered for screening in Australia
- agreement from Health Ministers to add sickle cell disease as a new target condition in NBS programs nationally
- agreement from Health Ministers to add x-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) as a new target condition in NBS programs nationally for male newborns (and agreement to commission further work in relation to screening female newborns)
- targeted consultation with 30 stakeholder groups and an open consultation which received 105 responses nationally
- an open call process to allow the public to identify new conditions for consideration for NBS programs launched on 14 October 2025.
NBS decision-making pathway
We developed the NBS decision-making pathway to support the NBS expansion.
States and territories independently deliver NBS programs. All jurisdictions and the Australian Government work together to consider which conditions we screen.
Through the pathway, all Australian health ministers consider advice on conditions from governance and advisory committees, including MSAC. They then collectively make decisions on whether to add new conditions to NBS programs.
For the first time in the history of Australia’s NBS programs, we have a clear pathway that promotes:
- transparency
- consistency and expanded screening
- collaboration and efficiency.
The pathway will also maintain the safety of the programs and high-quality screening that is trusted by families.
Open call is part of the first stage of the NBS decision-making pathway. The open call process will allow the public to identify new conditions for consideration for NBS programs. The 2025 open call launched on 14 October 2025. For more information about the open call, see the NBS open call.
To learn more, see the NBS decision-making pathway fact sheet. We have developed this resource to answer questions that you may have about the process.
Next steps
Immediate next steps include developing a national process to identify conditions. This will be a transparent and ongoing process. We will invite clinicians, advocates, families and other experts to share their knowledge and experience on potential conditions for the programs.
We will provide more information on this page as we formalise this process.
Resources
Newborn bloodspot screening improves the health of babies and saves lives by identifying those at risk of developing a serious condition.
It's free and offered to all families with newborns.
It means that within a few days of being born, we can identify babies at risk and provide treatment and support.
Screening is delivered by states and territories in local hospitals and health services.
The Australian Government is working with states and territories to consider additional conditions for screening.
Before a condition is added, it must be assessed to ensure that we can test accurately and offer treatment.
There is a nationally agreed decision-making pathway and newborn bloodspot screening criteria.
Open call is part of the first step in identifying conditions for consideration.
Open call is a new and simple process that means the conditions screened are informed by evidence and the experiences of families and other experts like you.
The open call will open for three months.
Here's how it works.
Anyone can identify a new condition for consideration by submitting the open call form.
Conditions need to meet the criteria.
For example, they should be a serious health problem that can be detected soon after birth from testing a dried blood spot sample and have an accepted intervention or treatment.
The government will collect technical and scientific information for all proposed conditions.
You don't need to do the research yourself or include it in your form.
Conditions with enough alignment to the criteria will move to the next stage in the decision-making pathway.
Where there is a low alignment with the criteria, the condition will not proceed for further consideration.
It can be considered in future when new information is available.
This careful assessment of the latest evidence is critical to maintain high quality and safe screening.
For more information about newborn bloodspot screening, the conditions already screened, or the open call, please visit our website.
Newborn bloodspot screening – Open call process FAQ
Newborn Bloodspot Screening – Open Call Condition Identification Form
Newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) – Delivering consistency and expansion fact sheet
Newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) – Our national decision-making pathway fact sheet
Newborn bloodspot screening – Public consultation infographic
Public consultation on the expansion of newborn bloodspot screening
