Big News for Families: Medicare Support for Children’s Home Sleep Studies is Coming in July 2026!
At Prana Paediatric Sleep Service, we’re always looking for ways to make sleep care more accessible, timely, and less stressful for families.
We’re excited to share some important news that will make a real difference.
From 1st July 2026, new Medicare (MBS) item numbers are expected to be introduced for home sleep studies in children and adolescents.
What does this mean?
For the first time in Australia, home-based sleep studies (Level 2 polysomnography) for children are set to receive Medicare support.
These are similar comprehensive sleep studies traditionally done in hospital — but performed in the comfort of your child’s own home.
This change follows a successful application supported by the Australasian Sleep Association and approved by the Medical Services Advisory Committee. (Medical Services Advisory Committee)
Who will this apply to?
The proposed Medicare items are expected to cover:
Children aged 3–11 years
Adolescents aged 12–17 years (sleep.org.au)
These studies are used to assess conditions such as:
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
Snoring and disrupted sleep
Daytime fatigue and behavioural concerns
Breathing-related sleep disorders
Restless sleep and periodic limb movement disorders
Why is this such a big step forward?
Until now, Medicare support for paediatric sleep studies has largely been limited to hospital-based sleep studies, which can be:
Difficult for children to tolerate
Logistically challenging for families
Associated with long wait times
Home sleep studies change this by allowing children to:
Sleep in their own bed
Follow their normal routine
Avoid hospital stays
Will this reduce costs?
Yes! This is one of the biggest benefits.
The proposed Medicare schedule fees are approximately:
$466.30 for children (3–11 years)
$433.30 for adolescents (12–17 years) (sleep.org.au)
Medicare rebates (85% of the rebate is paid back to the patient for an outpatient clinical service) will apply, helping reduce out-of-pocket costs for families.
How will the process work?
Based on current guidance, the pathway will likely include:
Assessment by a paediatric sleep or respiratory physician
Determining if a home sleep study is required or appropriate (as not all children who sleep poorly require a sleep study)
Sleep study setup in the Prana Clinic : this is to ensure correct lead placement (takes 45-60min)
Overnight recording at home (minimum 8 hours of data)
Sleep specialist analysis & interpretation of data with a detailed follow-up
⏳ When will this start?
While final implementation details are still being confirmed, the rollout is anticipated from 1st July 2026.
We will continue to keep families updated as:
Exact item numbers are released
Eligibility criteria are finalised
Rebates and claiming processes are confirmed
What this means for Prana families
At Prana, this aligns perfectly with how we already deliver care:
Home-based Level 2 sleep studies
Family-centred, low-stress sleep diagnostics
Faster and more equitable access to answers and treatment
Final thoughts
This is a long-awaited milestone in paediatric sleep medicine in Australia.
For families, it means:
Easier access to testing
Reduced financial burden
More child and family focused approach
And most importantly — earlier diagnosis and better sleep for your child.
📩 Questions?
If you’re wondering whether your child may benefit from a sleep assessment, feel free to reach out:
👉 contact@pranasleep.com.au
👉 Or speak with your GP about a referral to our clinic
