More than 1,000 children with cochlear implants across New South Wales will continue to receive specialist support each year under a $20.4 million funding commitment announced in the 2026/27 State Budget.
The funding will be shared between The Shepherd Centre and NextSense, two not-for-profit organisations that work alongside NSW Health, the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and John Hunter Children’s Hospital to provide care before and after cochlear implant procedures.
The investment will support a range of services, including the initial activation of implants, ongoing programming and monitoring of devices, speech and language development programmes, and family education and support.
Health Minister Ryan Park said cochlear implantation is only one part of the process for children with hearing loss and that ongoing specialist care plays a central role in helping children develop communication skills and adapt to hearing through the device.
The funding is intended to ensure children and families continue to have access to support throughout their early years, with services focused on listening, language development and participation in education and community life.
Cochlear implants are electronic devices that can provide a sense of sound to people with severe hearing loss. Health professionals note that outcomes can vary depending on factors including the age at which hearing loss is identified, access to intervention services and individual circumstances. Early support is generally regarded as an important factor in helping children make the most of the technology.
The announcement complements NSW’s Statewide Infant Screening Hearing Program, which screens newborn babies for hearing loss soon after birth. Since the programme began in 2002, more than two million newborns have been screened across the state.
Children identified as needing further assessment are referred to specialist audiology services through NSW Health. Those considered suitable candidates for cochlear implants may then be referred to ear, nose and throat specialists before being connected with support organisations such as The Shepherd Centre and NextSense.
David Dinte, President of NextSense, welcomed the funding, saying post-implant support is critical in helping children gain the greatest benefit from cochlear implant technology. He said early intervention can improve outcomes and reduce the need for additional hearing supports later in life.
The Shepherd Centre chief executive Dr Aleisha Davis said the funding would provide certainty for families seeking specialist services during the early stages of their child’s hearing journey. She said support before and after surgery helps children learn to interpret sound, build communication skills and develop confidence.
The funding forms part of the Minns Government’s broader health spending plans, with the State Budget including a record $10.3 billion increase in health investment over four years aimed at expanding services across New South Wales.
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