Australian Centre for Childhood Health Metrics · National Health Initiative · Australia
A national system for measuring childhood health
ACCHM is introducing mandatory annual health assessments for Australian children — integrated into GP visits, schools, Medicare, and My Health Record.
"To lead the nation in the scientific measurement, analysis, and improvement of childhood health by providing reliable data, shaping policy, and supporting evidence-based interventions that promote lifelong wellbeing for all Australian children."
The Challenge
Australia has a childhood health crisis — and no system to measure it
Without standardised national data, we cannot identify which children need support, where interventions are working, or how to allocate resources effectively.
No National Measurement
There is no standardised system for tracking childhood health metrics across Australia. Data is fragmented, inconsistent, and not actionable.
Growing Obesity Crisis
1 in 4 Australian children is overweight or obese. Without early detection, these children face significantly elevated risks of chronic disease in adulthood.
Preventable Healthcare Costs
The economic burden of childhood obesity exceeds $11.8B annually. Early intervention is 5–10× more cost-effective than treating chronic disease later.
The Gap
Every other major health metric in Australia is tracked nationally. Childhood health is not. ACCHM exists to close that gap.
Our Solution
A national childhood health monitoring system
ACCHM proposes integrating standardised annual health assessments for children under 16 into existing GP visits and school health systems — connected to Medicare, My Health Record, and a new Office of Child Health Monitoring (OCHM).
Mandatory Annual Assessments
Standardised BMI and health assessments for all Australian children under 16, conducted by GPs and trained school staff.
Integrated with Existing Systems
Data flows into Medicare, My Health Record, and PHN networks — no new infrastructure required for families.
Early Intervention Pathways
Children identified as at-risk are connected to appropriate health services, with clear referral pathways for GPs and schools.
National Reporting via OCHM
Annual national reports provide government, researchers, and the public with reliable data on childhood health trends.
The ACCHM Ecosystem
Implementation
How It Works
Two parallel delivery pathways — GP clinics and schools — feed into a centralised, secure national reporting system.
GP Pathway
GP completes CPD training module (ACCHM accredited)
Annual child health check integrated into Medicare visit
Height, weight, BMI, age and sex recorded in secure portal
Automated categorisation and referral triggered if needed
Data submitted to OCHM for national aggregation
School Pathway
School nurses/health aides complete ACCHM training (1–4 hours)
Annual health screening conducted during school hours
Parents notified of results with privacy-first approach
At-risk students referred to GP or community health services
Aggregate (de-identified) school data reported to OCHM
Privacy First
All data collected under the Privacy Act 1988 and Australian Privacy Principles. Only de-identified aggregates are publicly reported.
Unique Child IDs
Each child has a secure identifier linked to their My Health Record, enabling longitudinal tracking while protecting personal information.
Secure Portal
GPs and schools submit data through an encrypted, government-grade portal. Aggregate reporting published annually by the OCHM.
Roadmap
From pilot to national program
A staged approach beginning with a Tasmania pilot, building the evidence base for national adoption.
Phase 0
Foundation
Now — 2026
- Website & concept brief published
- Advisory board recruitment
- Tasmania pilot design
- Minister submission
Phase 1
Engagement
2–6 weeks
- Advisory board confirmed
- Government engagement
- Primary Health Tasmania partnership
- Pilot site agreements
Phase 2
Tasmania Pilot
2–4 months
- GP clinic pilot launch
- School health screening pilot
- Training delivery
- Data collection & reporting
Phase 3
Expansion
4–12 months
- Funding secured
- Pilot evaluation
- Additional state expansion
- Policy submission
Phase 4
National Rollout
Year 2+
- National program launch
- OCHM establishment
- Medicare integration
- Annual national reporting
Advisory Board
Guided by Australia's leading child health experts
ACCHM is building a world-class advisory board of clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to guide the program's design and implementation.
Prof. Alison Venn
Director, Menzies Institute for Medical Research
University of Tasmania
Childhood obesity & longitudinal cohort research
Dr Tim Jones
GP & Board Director, Primary Health Tasmania
RACGP Child & Young Person's Health
Clinical general practice & child health policy
A/Prof. Verity Cleland
Senior Research Fellow, Menzies Institute
Deputy Chair, Premier's Health Advisory Council
Physical activity, child health & government policy
Prof. Andrew Hills
Professor of Exercise & Sports Science
University of Tasmania, Launceston
Community obesity prevention — CAPITOL Program
Join the advisory board
Are you a clinician, researcher, or health policy leader? ACCHM is actively recruiting advisors for the Tasmania pilot.
Get Involved
Join the movement for healthier Australian children
ACCHM is currently forming its advisory board and designing the Tasmania pilot. We're looking for clinical, research, policy, and funding partners.
GP or Clinician
Join our clinical advisory group or express interest in participating in the Tasmania pilot program.
Register interestSchool or Educator
Explore how your school can participate in the pilot and access our free training resources.
Contact usResearcher
ACCHM is seeking research partnerships to strengthen our evidence base and evaluation framework.
Partner with usPolicymaker
Access our full policy proposal and pilot design documentation. We welcome government engagement.
Read the proposalFunder or Partner
ACCHM is seeking $220,000 for the Tasmania pilot. Review our funding prospectus and pitch deck.
View funding infoAccess Training
GP and school staff training is available now via our dedicated training portal.
Go to training portalGeneral enquiries
info@acchm.com.auMedia & policy
media@acchm.com.auTraining portal
training.acchm.com.au