Better health and ageing for all Australians

Maternity Services Reform

Maternity services reforms

Welcome to the maternity services information page. This page provides information on the Australian Government’s maternity services reforms, in particular the changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for pregnant women, or those planning pregnancy, and for health care professionals.

In this section:

The Australian Government is committed to improving maternity care in Australia by providing greater choice and access to maternity services for Australian women and their families, and by supporting the maternity services workforce.

These reforms also maintain Australia’s strong record for providing safe, high quality maternity services.

The National Maternity Services Plan

On 12 November 2010, the National Maternity Services Plan (the Plan) was endorsed by the Australian Health Ministers’ Conference.
    The Plan recognises the importance of maternity services within the health system and provides a strategic national framework, as endorsed by state, territory and Commonwealth Governments for the five year period 2010-2015.

    Follow this link for more information, or to download a copy of the National Maternity Services Plan.

    National Maternity Services Plan: Middle Years Implementation Plan 2012-13

    The National Maternity Services Plan: Middle Years Implementation Plan 2012-13 (the Plan) was endorsed by the Standing Council on Health on 27 April 2012. Development of the Plan was led by the National Maternity Services Inter-Jurisdictional Committee (MSIJC) in consultation with government and non-government stakeholders who share responsibility for implementing components of the Plan. The Plan builds on work undertaken in the initial year, and once again, its success is dependent on the continued collaboration between all Australian Governments and other stakeholders to achieve the objectives of the Plan.

    A copy of the Plan can be obtained at the following link: National Maternity Services Plan: Middle Years Implementation Plan 2012-13