Complete guide to Australian hospital paediatric services — child health services, child safeguarding, immunisation, chronic paediatric conditions, state child health programmes, and paediatric software.
Australia has a comprehensive National Immunisation Program. Mandatory reporting for child abuse applies to all healthcare professionals. Major children's hospitals provide tertiary care. This guide covers Australian paediatric services.
Paediatric Service Levels
| Level | Description | Capabilities |
|---|---|---|
| Primary care | GP, community health | General paediatric care, immunisation |
| General paediatric | District hospital | General paediatric inpatient care |
| Tertiary paediatric | Children's hospital | All paediatric specialties, ICU, surgery |
| Quaternary | Major children's hospital | Transplant, complex cardiac, rare diseases |
Child Safeguarding
- Recognition: Recognise signs of child abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, neglect)
- Mandatory reporting: Report suspected abuse to child protection services
- Documentation: Document findings objectively and thoroughly
- Safeguarding team: Consult hospital safeguarding team
- Child protection: Liaise with state child protection (DCJ, DFFH, etc.)
- WWCC: All staff must have Working with Children Check
- Child Safe Standards: Implement 10 Child Safe Standards
- Trauma-informed care: Provide trauma-informed care to abused children
National Immunisation Program
| Age | Vaccines | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birth | HepB | First dose |
| 2 months | HepB, DTPa, IPV, Hib, PCV, Rotavirus | First doses |
| 4 months | Same as 2 months | Second doses |
| 6 months | Same + Influenza | Third doses |
| 12 months | MMR, MenACWY, PCV | First doses |
| 18 months | MMR, DTPa, Hib | Boosters |
| 4 years | DTPa, IPV | Boosters |
| School Year 7 | HPV | School-based programme |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Australian immunisation schedule?
- Australian National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule: Birth (HepB), 2 months (HepB, DTPa, IPV, Hib, PCV, Rotavirus), 4 months (same), 6 months (same + influenza), 12 months (MMR, MenACWY, PCV), 18 months (MMR, DTPa, Hib), 4 years (DTPa, IPV). Additional: HPV (school year 7), meningococcal B (ATSI). No Jab No Pay policy requires immunisation for family benefits.
- How does Australia handle child safeguarding?
- Australian child safeguarding: 1) Mandatory reporting — all healthcare professionals must report suspected child abuse, 2. State child protection services (e.g., DCJ in NSW, DFFH in Victoria), 3. Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse reforms, 4. Working with Children Check (WWCC) for all staff, 5. Child Safe Standards (10 standards), 6. Trauma-informed care.
- What are the major Australian children's hospitals?
- Major Australian children's hospitals: 1) Royal Children's Hospital (Melbourne), 2. Sydney Children's Hospital (Randwick), 3. Children's Hospital at Westmead (Sydney), 4. Queensland Children's Hospital (Brisbane), 5. Perth Children's Hospital, 6. Women's and Children's Hospital (Adelaide), 7. Royal Hobart Hospital (paediatric wing). These provide tertiary paediatric care.