The NSW Government will contribute $20.4 million over four years towards pre- and post-implantation care for children with hearing loss who receive a cochlear implant.
The government announced the funds would go to not-for-profit organisations NextSense and The Shepherd Centre to deliver the NSW Paediatric Cochlear Implant Program, in partnership with NSW Health.
NextSense and The Shepherd Centre are members of First Voice, a partnership that advocates for world-class early intervention services for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
NextSense said this vital funding would “help ensure that follow-up care for children who receive cochlear implants can be sustained well into the future.”
“This includes the initial ‘switch-on’ of a cochlear implant sound processor, ongoing mapping and monitoring, and early intervention to support listening, language, communication and social skills,” NextSense said in a media release.
“While the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Medicare contribute to the funding of these services, NextSense currently relies on generous philanthropic support to help deliver them. Australia-wide, we support more than 1,100 children through our early intervention and therapy programs.”
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Health Minister Ryan Park made the announcement as part of the 2026/27 NSW State Budget handed down on 23 June 2026.
The Shepherd Centre and NextSense partner with NSW Health through the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and John Hunter Children’s Hospital to deliver essential pre- and post-implantation care to children who receive a cochlear implant.
A government media release said the funding would enable the two organisations to continue providing their essential care and specialist support services, including:
- Initial activation (“switch-on”) of the implant, when children may hear sound for the first time
- Ongoing mapping (programming) and monitoring of the device
- Early intervention to support speech, language and learning development as well as social skills, enabling them to achieve the full lifelong benefits of their implant
- Family support services and education to foster listening and language development.
Lifechanging impacts
The government said this support would help more than 1,000 NSW children with cochlear implants each year to achieve developmental milestones, build communication skills, and fully participate in school and community life to their full potential.
Ryan Park said: “This is a lifechanging procedure and the aftercare is equally as important – and this funding recognises that.
“In Australia, about one in every 1000 newborn babies have some form of hearing loss, and those rates increase among babies born prematurely.
“We know it’s important to identify hearing loss early and make the necessary interventions, because this helps children develop good language and communication skills – essential skills for education and socialisation.”
David Dinte AM, NextSense president, said Australia leads the world in cochlear implant technology – and getting a cochlear implant could be life-changing for a child.
“But it’s what comes next that is crucial, to ensure they can get the most out of their device,” he said. “When combined with high-quality early intervention support, children can achieve incredible outcomes and require fewer hearing supports later in life.
“This funding will go a long way to ensuring NextSense and our First Voice partner, The Shepherd Centre can provide the best possible care for children with cochlear implants.
“It is wonderful that the NSW Government has recognised the vital importance of early, sustained support for children who are deaf or hard of hearing through this substantial funding commitment.”
Landmark investment
Dr Aleisha Davis, CEO of The Shepherd Centre said the funding was a “landmark investment” in children with cochlear implants and their families.
“It provides certainty for families that specialist support will be available from the earliest stages, when they need it most,” she said.
“Cochlear implants can provide access to sound, but specialist care before and after surgery is what helps children learn to interpret that sound, develop communication skills and build confidence using this technology.
“We are grateful for this $20.4 million investment over four years, and to the many families, clinicians and advocates who helped demonstrate why this care truly matters.”
