Overview
Open call is part of the first stage of the NBS decision-making pathway. The process is one of several ways governments will identify conditions for consideration.
Open call will allow NBS programs to be further informed by the experience of families, consumers, clinicians and other experts.
This video describes the open call and how you can take part.
Timing of the open call
The open call launched on 14 October 2025 and will close on 14 January 2026.
How to participate
Conditions can be put forward for consideration by completing a condition identification form and submitting it to NBS@health.gov.au.
To be considered for inclusion, conditions must align with the NBS National Policy Framework decision-making criteria. These include:
- the condition is a serious health problem and benefits from early diagnosis in the newborn period
- there is a suitable test available, which is socially and ethically acceptable
- there is an acceptable and effective intervention or treatment available.
Conditions with low alignment to the criteria will not be included in NBS programs at this time.
There are no requirements to include scientific or technical evidence in the condition identification form. We will work to collect the evidence needed for assessment.
How conditions will be considered
All Australian governments will work together to make decisions on conditions in line with NBS National Policy Framework decision-making criteria, and through the decision-making pathway.
Questions
Answers to commonly asked questions can be found in the NBS open call FAQ document.
If you have questions during the open call process, or at any time, you can email NBS@health.gov.au.
Resources
Newborn bloodspot screening – Open call process FAQ
Newborn Bloodspot Screening – Open Call Condition Identification Form
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.