Clinic Information

How do I register for birth care?

Most families find us during pregnancy, through their obstetrician at Gold Coast Private Hospital or midwife at Matrescence Birth Centres. Once we receive a referral, we'll invite you to a bulk-billed antenatal video consult – a chance to meet us, talk through any questions or concerns, and feel prepared well before your due date.

Do you have limited capacity?

We cap the number of families we care for each month so that every baby receives safe, thorough, and unhurried attention. If we're at capacity for your expected month, we'll offer you a place on our waitlist and keep you updated as space opens up. Our team is growing, and capacity will increase as we do.

How do I book follow-up appointments?

Follow-up appointments are available for routine reviews or for specific concerns like feeding, growth, sleep, or development. You're welcome to book whether or not you received in-hospital care with us. Visit our Bookings page to get started.

Do I need a referral?

You're welcome to self-refer at any time. A GP or specialist referral is needed to access a Medicare rebate. If you're not sure what applies to your situation, just get in touch – we're happy to walk you through it.

Where do I book?

All registration and booking links are on our Bookings page. If you're unsure which appointment suits your needs, reach out and we'll help you find the right starting point.

Why does my baby need your care?

At Nest, your baby’s care is led by a neonatologist – a specialist in newborn medicine, trained across everything from gentle early assessments to emergency resuscitation, intensive care, and complex follow-up.

From the very first breath, your baby is in the hands of a team prepared for every scenario – whether that's a smooth transition, urgent support in the delivery room, a special care nursery admission, or a subtle sign that needs early attention.

Just as your obstetrician stays with you through pregnancy and birth, we stay with your family from the antenatal period through to the early months at home. Newborn checks can sometimes feel brief and transactional. At Nest, we treat caring for your baby as a privilege – not a tick-box – and we bring the same thoughtfulness and attention to every encounter.

Who provides my care?

Our team works closely together to ensure consistency from pregnancy through to the early weeks at home.

• Antenatal Consults – conducted by a Nest Neonatologist

• Hospital Care – coordinated by a Nest Neonatologist; well-baby reviews may be conducted by a Neonatologist, Paediatrician, or Neonatal Nurse Practitioner; nursery babies are generally reviewed by a Neonatologist

• 3-Week Phone Reviews – conducted by our Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

• Clinic Reviews – conducted by a Neonatologist or Paediatrician, with 6-week reviews generally with a Neonatologist

All Nest clinicians hold current AHPRA registration and specialist qualifications in their respective fields. In the rare event a clinician is unexpectedly unavailable during your baby's hospital stay, we may engage a locum paediatrician to ensure timely care.

Do you replace our GP or child health nurse?

No – we work alongside your existing care team, not in place of them. After each appointment, we send clear updates to your GP, obstetrician, and child health nurse so everyone stays informed and connected.

Do you offer vaccinations or emergency care?

We don't administer routine vaccines, though we're happy to guide you on timing and work with your GP or health nurse. We don't offer after-hours or emergency services, but we do prioritise urgent reviews during clinic hours and offer Telehealth when appropriate.

Do you see babies you haven't cared for in hospital?

Yes – we're happy to see any baby for a wide range of concerns, including feeding difficulties, reflux, weight gain, unsettled behaviour, and early developmental questions. Some families come with a specific worry; others simply want reassurance. No question is too small.

Do you offer general paediatric services?

Our paediatric team is growing, and will provide continuity of care from the newborn period into infancy and childhood – as well as seeing children referred by GPs for a wide range of concerns. You can find more information at our Nest Children's website coming soon.

Do you welcome all kinds of families?

Absolutely. Nest is a safe, inclusive space for families of every background, structure, and identity – including same-sex parents, solo parents, blended families, surrogacy, and adoptive families. However you come to parenthood, you are warmly and genuinely welcomed here.

We've had a difficult journey – will that be understood?

Yes, without question. Whether your baby spent time in NICU, you've faced fertility challenges, experienced loss, or things simply didn't go as planned – we offer care that is compassionate, sensitive, and trauma-informed. You don't need to explain or justify anything. We'll meet you where you are.

We believe transparency isn't just about sharing numbers – it's about helping you feel genuinely informed and prepared. There should be no guesswork when it comes to the cost of your baby's care. We outline all fees clearly in advance, explain what Medicare and private health insurance cover, and ensure you know exactly what you'll be out of pocket before any appointment.

Wherever we can, we handle the claiming process on your behalf – no paperwork, no surprises.

What does Medicare and Private Health Insurance cover?

Routine newborn care attracts Medicare rebates, both for hospital care and clinic follow-up. Private health insurance only covers your baby’s care if they are admitted to the nursery whilst in hospital. We lodge both Medicare and private health insurance claims on your behalf.

What are your fee caps?

We cap our fees across each stage of care to keep costs predictable for your family.

• Antenatal Consults

  • Fully bulk-billed, no cost to you

• Hospital Care (GCPH)

  • Capped at $1000. After Medicare rebates, out-of-pocket costs are $700, or $140 with the Safety Net

• Birth Centre Care (Matrescence)

  • Capped at $460. After Medicare rebates, out-of-pocket costs are $350, or $70 with the Safety Net

• Clinic Follow-Up (to 4 months)

  • Capped at $900. After Medicare rebates, out-of-pocket costs are $570, or $110 with the Safety Net

From 6 months, ongoing care transitions to a General Paediatrician through our Nest Children's service.

What is your fee schedule?

Antenatal Consults

• Third Trimester Video Consult (Item 91824)

  • Bulk-billed $152

Hospital Care

• Initial Review (Item 110)

  • Fee $460

  • Rebate around $152 – or $398 with the Safety Net

• Progress Review (Item 116)

  • Fee $270

  • Rebate around $76 – or $231 with the Safety Net

• Discharge Review (Item 116)

  • Fee $270

  • Rebate around $76 – or $231 with the Safety Net

• We do not charge any additional fees for 24/7 on-call availability, after hours call-ins, additional reviews, daily monitoring of progress and advice given to the maternity team.

Clinic Follow-Up

• 3-Week Nurse Practitioner Phone Review

  • Bulk-billed $51

• 6-Week Clinic Review (Item 116)

  • Fee $350

  • Rebate around $76 – or $295 with the Safety Net

• 4-Month Clinic Review

  • Item 110 or 132 based on complexity

  • Fee $440 (110) or $490 (132)

  • Rebates around $152 (110) or $266 (132) – with the Safety Net, rebates of $392 (110) or $445 (132)

• 6-Month Clinic Review

  • Item 116 or 133 based on complexity

  • Fee $270 (116) or $360 (133)

  • Rebates around $76 (116) or $133 (133) – with the Safety Net, rebates of $231 (116) or $315 (133)

• We do not charge any additional fees for advice and questions between appointments, as well as access to Nest Notes – our evidence-based library of newborn care guides.

GP Referrals

• Initial Review

  • Item 110 or 132 based on complexity

  • Fee $440 (110) or $490 (132)

  • Rebates around $152 (110) or $266 (132) – with the Safety Net, rebates of $392 (110) or $445 (132)

• Follow-Up Review

  • Item 116 or 133 based on complexity

  • Fee $270 (116) or $360 (133)

  • Rebates around $76 (116) or $133 (133) – with the Safety Net, rebates of $231 (116) or $315 (133)

Our fees are subject to change, generally by a small amount on an annual basis. We will inform you if our fees change.

How does the Medicare Safety Net work?

If your family's out-of-pocket medical costs exceed $2,544.30 in a calendar year, Medicare reimburses up to 80% of remaining out-of-pocket costs for the rest of that year. Most families who have paid a private obstetrician's fee during pregnancy will already be close to or past this threshold before their baby is born – significantly reducing what you pay for Nest appointments.

If your baby's clinic reviews fall into a new calendar year, the higher Safety Net rebates may not yet apply.

How should I be prepared?

To maximise your rebates and keep the process smooth:

• Register your baby with Medicare as soon as possible after birth

• Add your baby to your private health policy

• Link your family under the Medicare Safety Net via myGov

We're always happy to explain how Medicare and private health apply to your situation.

How do you process payments?

All payments are processed securely through our clinic software, Halaxy, using bank-grade encrypted card storage. Your unencrypted card details are never accessible to Halaxy or our clinic. Nest absorbs all card surcharges, so the fee you see is exactly what you pay.

Hospital care fees are collected at your 6-week clinic review, giving you time to register your baby with Medicare first. Clinic review fees are collected at each appointment. In both cases, we process your Medicare rebate at the same time – minimising how long you're out of pocket.

If a payment fails, we'll notify you promptly. Outstanding balances should be settled within 7 days of the invoice date.

What is your cancellation policy?

We understand that life with a newborn is unpredictable. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please let us know as early as possible so we can offer the appointment to another family.

We reserve the right to charge a late-cancellation or no-show fee of up to 50% of the appointment cost when less than 24 hours' notice is given. In practice, we aim never to apply this – a quick call or message as soon as you know is almost always all that's needed.

What should we expect at our appointment?

All clinic reviews run for 45 minutes – enough time to assess your baby thoroughly, answer your questions, and make sure you never feel rushed.

We know that getting out of the house with a newborn is its own achievement. Our rooms at RDX Lumina are calm and private, with a dedicated waiting area for Nest families, easy pram access, space for siblings, and a café on site if you arrive early or need a moment to regroup.

Please bring:

• Your baby's health record (Red Book)

• Any referral letter, if applicable

• Feeding items – bottle, expressed milk, and so on

• A change mat or blanket if you'd prefer your own

Can we bring siblings or another adult?

Yes – siblings are always welcome. Having a second adult with you can help you focus during the consult, but it's absolutely not required. If a parent or key support person can't be there in person, we're happy to include them by phone or video.

Do you offer Telehealth?

In-person visits are best for most reviews, particularly when a physical assessment is needed. We do offer Telehealth for certain follow-ups, parent-only discussions, and for families living regionally. Just ask us if you think it might suit your situation.

Is parking available?

Yes – there is onsite parking at RDX Lumina, with additional parking available at Gold Coast Private Hospital nearby.

What if we need to reschedule?

We understand that life with a newborn is unpredictable. If you need to reschedule, just let us know as early as you can and we'll do our best to find a time that works. If you cancel within 24 hours or miss an appointment without notice, a late cancellation fee may apply – but a quick call or message as soon as you know is almost always all that's needed.

Can we contact you between appointments?

Yes – we're always available between visits for non-urgent questions via email at hello@nestnewborn.com.au. We aim to respond within one business day. Email works well for quick guidance or reassurance. If we think your baby needs a proper assessment, we'll let you know and help you figure out the right next step – whether that's a Nest appointment, your GP, or an Emergency Department.

What if I feel unsure or silly reaching out?

Please don't. The newborn phase is full of unknowns – that's completely normal, and there's no such thing as a question too small. If something is on your mind, it matters to us. You're never a burden, and you never need to feel embarrassed about getting in touch. We're here to listen, guide, and reassure – every step of the way.

We handle your family's information with care and in accordance with Australian Privacy Law and AHPRA guidelines. You can read our full privacy policy, including how we collect, store and use your information, on our Privacy & Transparency page.