Department of Health

Maternal and Child Health Service

Free universal primary health service available for all Victorian families with children from birth to school age.

Find your local centre or contact the 24 hour help line

Maternal and Child Health Line - call 13 22 29 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Families with children from birth to school age can speak to an MCH nurse for advice and support.

The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Service consists of 3 components including the:

  • Universal MCH program
  • Enhanced MCH program
  • 24-hour MCH Line.

Maternal and Child Health Service framework

Guidelines, standards and key documents included in the MCH framework resource map for maternal and child health services to help with managing, providing and monitoring services.

Have your say on Maternal and Child Health services

The Department of Health has launched a survey for parents, carers and families to share their experiences of the Victorian Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Service.

Aboriginal Maternal and Child Health - Aboriginal-led MCH services

Maternal and Child Health (MCH) supports Aboriginal-led MCH services in Aboriginal organisations.

Child Development Information System

Child Development Information System makes the delivery of healthcare more effective and efficient.

Maternal and Child Health Service resources

Resources for Maternal and Child Health nurses and services to assist with clinical practice and service delivery across a range of topics.

Maternal Child and Health reporting and data

​​Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Service reporting and data, including annual reports.

Maternal and Child Health workforce training and resources

Maternal Child Health (MCH) nurses are required to undertake annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Both mandatory and optional professional development opportunities are available.

Early Parenting Centres

Early Parenting Centres (EPCs) are a free primary health service. They provide specialist support for Victorian families with children from birth and up to 4 years.

Baby bundle

From July 2019, the Victorian government will offer first-time parents and carers a bundle of nursery essentials.

Nursery Equipment Program

This program provides safe nursery equipment for vulnerable Victorian families where a safety concern is identified by a Maternal and Child Health (MCH) nurse via our MCH Safe Sleeping checklist.

Sleep and settling

Documents that support MCH nurses and MCH services in the delivery of sleep and settling support.

Dads' Group Program

The Dads' Group Program supports the creation of new or expansion of existing peer-to-peer dads groups across the state.

Multicultural Storytime Program

Multicultural Storytime sessions will be held in family-friendly locations such as libraries, community centres and gathering places.

Reviewed 07 October 2024

Health.vic

MCH referral forms and templates

Resources for parents

Contact details

Maternal and Child Health Service The Maternal and Child Health and Parenting Unit manages the MCH Service in Victoria.

50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
mch@health.vic.gov.au
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