Resources & Support
Information and support for families and clinicians.
Trusted, up-to-date links for support groups, Medicare information, multidisciplinary Cleft Units around Australia and New Zealand, and answers to the questions we are commonly asked.
The basics
What is cleft lip & palate?
A cleft occurs when parts of the upper lip, gum, and roof of the mouth don’t fully join during early pregnancy, usually between the 7th and 12th weeks. A baby can be born with a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or both.
Cleft lip and palate is one of the most common conditions that can be present at birth, occurring in approximately 1 in 800 births in Australia. Most children born with a cleft have no other congenital differences.
Care is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, speech pathologists, orthodontists, dentists, nurses and many other health care professionals, working together across a child’s growing years. With coordinated multidisciplinary treatment, outcomes are excellent.
1 in 800
births in Australia are affected by a cleft.
7–12
weeks of pregnancy when a cleft typically forms.
A team approach
Coordinated multidisciplinary care from birth through to maturity
Surgeons · Speech pathologists · Orthodontists · Dentists · Nurses coordinated care from birth through the teenage years.
Funding & support
Medicare Assistance
Eligible cleft-related care is supported in Australia through Medicare. Follow the official links below for current details.
Medicare Assistance
Benefits for eligible cleft-related dental, orthodontic and related care. Managed by Services Australia.
New
Speech Pathology Medicare Coverage
Changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule in 2026 means that some cleft-related speech pathology services are now eligible for Medicare funding.
You're not alone
Support groups
Family-led groups across Australia and New Zealand.
All groups — Australia & New Zealand
Cleft Connect
Australia Wide
CleftPALS QLD
Queensland
CleftPALS WA
Western Australia
CleftPALS NSW
New South Wales
CleftPALS VIC
Victoria
Face It
New Zealand
Cleft NZ
New Zealand
International support
Groups further afield offering excellent family resources.
Directory
Find a cleft unit
Specialist multidisciplinary cleft units across Australia and New Zealand.
Melbourne, VIC
The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne
50 Flemington Road
Parkville VIC 3052
Tel: +61 3 9345 6595
Email: pru.talbot@rch.org.au
Adelaide, SA
Women's & Children's Hospital
72 King William Rd
North Adelaide SA 5006
perth, WA
Perth Children's Hospital
15 Hospital Avenue
Nedlands WA 6009
Tel: 08 6456 8132
Email: PCH.PlasticsCNS@health.wa.gov.au
sydney, NSW
The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Cnr Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street
Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145
newcastle, NSW
John Hunter Children’s Hospital
Lookout Road
New Lambton Heights NSW 2305
Tel: (02) 4921 3000
South Brisbane, QLD
Queensland Children’s Hospital
501 Stanley Street
South Brisbane QLD 4101
Tel: 07 3068 4321
Email: cleftcranio@health.qld.gov.au
Townsville, QLD
Townsville University Hospital
100 Angus Smith Dr
Douglas QLD 4814
Tel: 07 3068 4321
Email: cleftcranio@health.qld.gov.au
melbourne, nsw
Monash Children’s Hospital
Level 2/246 Clayton Rd
Clayton VIC 3168
Tel: 03 8572 3833
Email: cleftCNC@monashhealth.org
Auckland, NZ
Auckland Regional Cleft Service
Middlemore Hospital
Hospital Road, Otahuhu
Auckland, New Zealand 1640
Private Bag 93311
Tel: +64 21 574434
Email: Megan.sanders@tewhatuora.govt.nz
Christchurch, NZ
Christchurch Hospital
2 Riccarton Avenue
Christchurch, New Zealand 4710
Private Bag 4710
Tel: +64 3 3640640
Email: michelle.shand@cdhb.health.nz
Lower Hutt, NZ
Hutt Hospital
638 High Street, Boulcott
Lower Hutt, New Zealand 5010
Private Bag 31907
Hamilton, NZ
Waikato Hospital
Pembroke Street
Hamilton, New Zealand 3240
Private Bag 3200
Tel: +64 27 309 0534
Email: WK-RCC@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz
Questions we hear often
Frequently asked questions
What is covered under the Medicare Cleft Lip and Palate Scheme?
Medicare provides some funding for dental and orthodontic services for eligible cleft and craniofacial conditions. More information can be found on the Services Australia website (https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/cleft-and-craniofacial-conditions). Availability of services vary around the country and so it is suggested that this is discussed with your local multidisciplinary cleft team.
Are Speech Pathology services covered by Medicare?
Since 2026, the Medicare Benefits Schedule was expanded to include some Speech Pathology services for cleft conditions. More information can be found at https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-05/diagnosis-and-treatment-for-eligible-disabilities-fact-sheet.pdf . Availability of services vary around the country and so it is suggested that this is discussed with your local multidisciplinary cleft team.
Who can I contact if I am unsure what support I can access?
If you are unsure about anything related to cleft care, please discuss this with your local multidisciplinary cleft team.
How do I find a cleft unit near me?
Contact details of the multidisciplinary cleft units around Australia and New Zealand are listed here. You will usually need a referral letter from your local doctor, general practitioner or paediatrician.
How do I become a member of ACLAPA?
ACLAPA membership is available to healthcare professionals who are actively involved in the management of patients with cleft lip, cleft palate and associated conditions. A membership application form is available here, and the ACLAPA Committee will be in touch. If you require more information, please contact the ACLAPA Committee here.
Looking for more?
Trusted external resources
Groups further afield offering excellent family resources.