Pregnancy appointment timeline for Australia
In a public hospital pregnancy in Australia you can expect about 10 antenatal visits for a first baby (7 for a later one), two routine ultrasounds at 12 and 20 weeks, blood tests at booking and 28 weeks, a glucose test at 24 to 28 weeks and three free vaccines. Enter your due date and the whole schedule below turns into calendar dates.
Confirm, choose, book
See your GP to confirm the pregnancy
Confirm with a urine or blood test, agree your dates, review any medicines and health conditions, and start (or keep taking) a pregnancy multivitamin with 400 µg folic acid and 150 µg iodine.
In Queensland you can also refer yourself to a public hospital online through the Pregnancy Care Self-Referral Portal, without waiting for a GP appointment.
Choose your public maternity care model and get booked in
All of these are free with a Medicare card.
Brisbane public options include RBWH, Mater Mothers (public), Redcliffe, Caboolture, Logan, PA, QEII, Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast University Hospitals; MGP and birth-centre places are limited and allocated early, so name your preferred model on the referral.
First antenatal visit and booking blood tests
Blood pressure, height and weight.
Dating ultrasound
Confirms how many weeks, the heartbeat and whether there is more than one baby.
NIPT blood test (optional, private cost)optional
A blood test from 10 weeks that screens the baby’s DNA for Down syndrome (trisomy 21), trisomy 18 and 13, and can tell the sex.
12-week scan and combined first-trimester screening
Nuchal translucency ultrasound between 11+0 and 13+6 weeks, with a blood test (PAPP-A and free β-hCG) usually drawn from 10 weeks.
Hospital booking-in visit
Usually at 12–16 weeks, about an hour with a midwife.
You will be given your Pregnancy Health Record, the hand-held record used across Queensland. Take it to every appointment and to the birth.
Tell your employer (when you are ready)optional
There is no legal deadline to tell your employer, but protections start once they know: transfer to a safe job, no-safe-job leave and special maternity leave.
The big scan and the money dates
16-week antenatal visit
Review of the first-trimester results, blood pressure, the baby’s heartbeat and a referral for the morphology scan.
Morphology (anatomy) ultrasound
A detailed 30–60 minute scan of the baby’s organs, spine, heart and limbs, the placenta position and the cervix.
Whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine
Free under the National Immunisation Program in every pregnancy.
20-week antenatal visit
Review of the morphology scan, blood pressure, the first fundal-height measurement and a chat about the baby’s movements.
Book antenatal classes and a hospital tour
Public hospitals run free or low-cost childbirth, breastfeeding and early-parenting classes, in person or online.
Put your name on childcare waitlistsoptional
If you plan to use childcare in the first year, many centres have waitlists of 6–12 months.
24–25-week antenatal visit (first pregnancy)
Blood pressure, fundal height, the baby’s movements, and the request forms for the glucose test and 28-week bloods.
Gestational diabetes test (OGTT)
A fasting 75 g oral glucose tolerance test at a pathology collection centre: a fasting blood sample, the drink, then samples at 1 and 2 hours.
26–28-week blood tests
Full blood count (iron) and blood-group antibodies, usually drawn with the glucose test.
Queensland also recommends a repeat syphilis test at 26–28 weeks and again around 36 weeks.
Lodge the Parental Leave Pay and Family Tax Benefit claims
You can lodge up to 3 months before the due date through myGov → Centrelink.
28-week antenatal visit
Blood pressure, fundal height, the glucose and blood results, and the start of the third trimester.
Vaccines, notice, position
RSV vaccine (Abrysvo)
Free under the National Immunisation Program, one dose per pregnancy from 28 weeks and ideally before 36 weeks.
Give written notice of parental leave
The Fair Work Act requires at least 10 weeks’ written notice before unpaid parental leave starts.
31-week antenatal visit (first pregnancy)
Blood pressure, fundal height, movements and a check of results.
Wills, guardianship, super and insuranceoptional
Make or update wills and name a guardian.
34-week antenatal visit
Blood pressure, fundal height, the baby’s position, birth preferences and pain relief, and a feeding plan.
Pack the hospital bag and fit the car seat
A rear-facing restraint must be fitted before you can take the baby home.
Group B strep swab
A low vaginal–rectal swab, often self-collected at the 36-week visit.
36-week antenatal visit
The baby’s position (if breech, turning the baby by ECV is discussed at 36–37 weeks), signs of labour and when to come in, and consent for vitamin K, the hepatitis B birth dose and newborn bloodspot screening.
Repeat syphilis test around 36 weeks is recommended in Queensland.
Final admin before the birth
Confirm leave dates with your employer (at least 4 weeks before leave starts), save the maternity unit’s number in both phones, check that myGov and the Centrelink claim are in order, and agree who tells whom.
38-week antenatal visit
Blood pressure, position and movements, and a conversation about what happens if you go past the due date: membrane sweep and induction options.
40-week antenatal visit (first pregnancy)
A membrane sweep is usually offered from 40 weeks, and a plan is made for monitoring past the due date.
41-week visit and post-dates plan
A membrane sweep is offered and the baby’s wellbeing is checked (CTG and a fluid scan).
Queensland public hospitals usually offer induction of labour from 41+0 weeks and by 42+0.
Induction of labour window
If labour has not started, induction is offered between 41 and 42 weeks.
After the birth, the first 60 days
Heel-prick and hearing screens, the hospital's proof-of-birth form, Medicare enrolment, finalising Centrelink, registering the birth within 60 days, the child health nurse, the six-week checks and first immunisations.
Open the newborn checklist →Questions about antenatal appointments
How many antenatal appointments do you have in Australia?
The Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines recommend 10 visits for a first pregnancy and 7 for later ones, more if there are complications.
When is the first pregnancy scan in Australia?
A dating scan between 8 and 13 weeks if dates are uncertain, then the 12-week scan between 11+0 and 13+6. The morphology scan follows at 18 to 20 weeks.
Do I need a GP referral for a public hospital?
Usually yes. In Queensland you can self-refer online; other states ask for a GP referral to the hospital's maternity service.
What is a booking-in appointment?
The hospital's first long visit, usually at 12 to 16 weeks, where your history is taken, your care model is confirmed and your hand-held record is issued.
Which vaccines are free in pregnancy?
Influenza at any stage, whooping cough at 20 to 32 weeks and RSV (Abrysvo) at 28 to 36 weeks, all under the National Immunisation Program; COVID-19 boosters as advised.
Medical schedule follows the Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines and the National Immunisation Program; last reviewed 3 November 2026.