pre-conception checklist — the 12-month head start for AU parents
trying for a baby is a big shift — and it gets easier when the practical stuff is sorted before you actually start. this is the 12-month head start most parents wish they'd had.
by Sophie Nguyen · last updated 4 May 2026
general info, not medical advice
for any health-related decision, talk to your GP. mini mode is a planning resource, not a clinical one.
the goal of this guide isn't to add stress. it's to surface the AU-specific stuff (Paid Parental Leave eligibility windows, employer leave entitlements, hospital booking lead times, FTB rules, stamp duty if you're moving) before timing matters.
12 months out
- book a pre-conception GP visit — covers folate, iodine, vaccinations (rubella, whooping cough), pap smear status, and any meds that need adjusting.
- check both partners' leave entitlements — annual, long service, and any paid parental leave at work.
- model the cost: what does year one actually look like? our 18-year cost forecast handles this end-to-end.
- if you're moving home in the next 18 months, get clear on stamp duty + concession eligibility. it's one of the biggest line items.
use the tools
the cost-of-a-child forecast does the maths. the PPL estimator confirms eligibility. the parental-leave top-up calculator combines employer + government leave into one timeline.
6 months out
- stop hormonal contraception — most women's cycles return in 1–3 months.
- track ovulation — apps, ovulation predictor kits, basal body temp.
- lifestyle prep: alcohol down, smoking out, caffeine moderate, weight in healthy range.
- both partners on a quality multivitamin — folate (400–500mcg) is non-negotiable for the woman.
3 months out
- talk leave plan with your employer (no notification needed yet — just plan).
- sort private health insurance if you want it. obstetrics waiting period is 12 months — start the cover before pregnancy.
- review household budget for a single-income or reduced-income period.
- have the conversation with your partner about who does what — it sounds basic, it isn't.
the month before trying
- both partners take a multivitamin with folate.
- track your cycle so you know your fertile window.
- emergency fund check — 3 months' expenses is the AU norm for new parents.
- if a private hospital is the plan, shortlist 2–3 obstetricians and check their books — many fully book out.
you don't need everything sorted
a healthy baby has been born to many parents who didn't read a checklist. this is for the people who like a head start, not a prerequisite.
frequently asked
how long does it take to get pregnant?
for couples under 35 trying every cycle, around 80% conceive within 6 months and 90% within 12 months. for over 35, see your GP after 6 months of trying. for over 40, see your GP after 3 months.
do I need to come off the pill 3 months before trying?
no — there's no medical reason to wait. some doctors suggest one cycle so you can date the pregnancy more accurately, but you can fall pregnant in the first cycle off contraception.
can I claim Paid Parental Leave if I'm self-employed?
yes — self-employed and casual workers can both qualify. PPL has an income test plus a work test. the work test has three parts: you must have worked in 10 of the 13 months before birth, totalled at least 330 hours in those 10 months (about one day a week), and had no gap of more than 12 weeks between two working days. check the PPL estimator for current thresholds.