What is children’s health?
Children’s health covers people aged between 0 and 14. It refers to everything needed to help children be healthy:
- physically
- mentally
- socially
- emotionally.
This includes:
- primary care – for illness, injuries, and health checks
- health prevention and promotion – for immunisation and information on physical activity and dietary guidelines
- allied health care – for speech therapy, optometry and nutrition advice.
Why children’s health is important
All children deserve to reach their potential and be safe, healthy and thriving. Children’s health is important in building strong foundations for future wellbeing.
Health as a child can affect:
- educational achievements
- lifestyle and relationships
- transitions to young adulthood and beyond
- connection to the community.
Poor health as a child increases the risks of chronic health conditions, such as:
- mental health issues
- cancer
- heart disease
- type 2 diabetes.
Poor mental health and wellbeing can lead to future risk of:
- self-harm
- homelessness
- substance use
- suicide.
Children’s mental health is just as important as their physical health – it shapes how they learn, build relationships, and grow into healthy adults.
It’s completely normal for children to face emotional challenges, and talking openly about these struggles can help reduce stigma and encourage children to seek support.
We know that half of all adult mental health challenges emerge before the age of 14. By creating a supportive environment where mental wellbeing is prioritised, we give every child the best chance to thrive – now and into the future. As highlighted in Australia’s world first National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, we know if we act now, we can support current and future generations to live happier and healthier lives.
We want to prevent and reduce chronic health conditions, poor health and mental health conditions in childhood and help children and their families adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
Since 1 November 2023, the Australian Government has increased bulk billing incentives to provide more affordable care for children under 16 for a range of Medicare Benefit Schedule consultation items. Learn more about these incentives.
Children’s health in Australia
Children in Australia are generally doing well. In 2022:
- 79.1% aged 0 to 14 had no chronic conditions
- more than 9 in 10 (92.0%) children aged 2 were fully immunised
- around 7 in 10 (68.6%) children aged 2 to 14 met the serve recommendation for fruit
- almost 1 in 10 mothers (8.3%) reported smoking at any time during pregnancy, a rate that has been gradually falling since 2011 (13%).
While most children in Australia are healthy, some have conditions and behaviours that put their health at risk. In 2022:
- only 4.3% of children aged 2 to 17 years old met both fruit and vegetable recommendations
- more than one quarter (27.7%) of children aged 5 to 17 years were overweight or obese (19.5% overweight and 8.3% obese)
- among children aged 0 to 14 years, 12.7% had hay fever and allergic rhinitis and 8.2% had asthma
- 14.7% of children aged 0 to14 had mental and behavioural conditions.
Learn more about research and data about children’s health.
Finding help and support
Help and support is available. Connect with children’s health services.