Health Check for 4-Year-Olds in Point Cook
The year before school is a good time to make sure your child can see, hear, talk and move well enough to enjoy kinder and prep. A 4-year-old health check in Point Cook with a GP looks at growth, development and general health, and is often booked alongside the 4-year vaccination.
From November 2026 a new Medicare Healthy Kids Check is due to start for 3-year-olds. Children who are already four can still see a GP for the same kind of check.
What the check looks at
A GP check at this age usually covers:
- height and weight, plotted on growth charts
- eyesight, hearing, teeth and gums
- speech, play, behaviour and how your child gets on with others
- toileting, including night-time wetting
- sleep, eating, activity and screen time
- vaccinations, allergies and past illnesses
Before you leave, the doctor will talk through anything that needs watching or follow-up.
The 4-year vaccination
At four, the NIP schedule includes a booster against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio. It is free for children eligible for Medicare. Victorian children need to be up to date to enrol in kindergarten, so this is a good time to check their record. See immunisation for the vaccines we give.
How it fits with the 3.5-year MCH visit
Victoria’s free three and a half year visit with a maternal and child health nurse happens between 3.5 and 4.5 years. It includes a vision screen, a talk about kindergarten enrolment and the development questions in your green book.
A GP check is a useful companion to that visit. It adds a physical examination and lets the doctor follow up any concern straight away.
Booking a 4-year-old health check in Point Cook
Let reception know the visit is a health check, and whether the vaccination is due as well. Bring:
- the green book (My Health, Learning and Development)
- your Medicare card
- any notes from childcare or kinder staff
- a list of questions or worries
Standard consultations are bulk billed with a valid Medicare card. You can book online or call (03) 7300 7780.
Things worth mentioning
Tell the doctor if your child is not yet:
- talking clearly, or in sentences
- coming to you for comfort
- playing pretend games, or playing with other children
- drawing
These are the same signs Victorian MCH nurses ask about at this age. Raising them early gives more time for support before school starts.
Getting your child ready
Children cope better when they know what is coming. Explain that the doctor will measure them, look in their ears, mouth and eyes, and ask them to do a few small tasks. If a vaccination is due, be honest that it will sting briefly. Bring glasses if your child wears them.
If something needs follow-up
If the check raises a question about hearing, vision, teeth, speech or development, your GP can refer your child for a hearing test, or to an eye specialist, a dentist or a speech pathologist. Our early intervention page explains what comes next, and the children’s health page covers everyday care.
Common questions
My child is already five. Is it too late?
No. A GP can check your child at any age, and starting school is a good reason to book.
Will my child need a needle?
Only if the 4-year booster is still due and you agree to it on the day.
Is the new Medicare check for 3-year-olds the same thing?
It has a similar purpose. It is planned for once per child, around age three, from November 2026.
Can the check and the vaccination be done together?
Yes. Many families book both in one visit.
Good to know
Before your appointment
If you are a new patient, please arrive at least five minutes before your consultation and bring:
- Photo ID
- A valid Medicare card
Fees and billing
We offer bulk billing to all patients with a valid Medicare card for standard consultations. All procedures are subject to fees.