Although a range of data by Indigenous status has been presented in other sections, this section provides more in-depth information on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (respectfully hereafter Indigenous) mothers, babies born to Indigenous mothers and Indigenous babies. All data are based on crude rates, as opposed to the age-standardised rates presented in other sections.
The topics explored for Indigenous mothers are state and territory of birth, maternal age, onset of labour and method of birth, timing and number of antenatal visits, smoking status, remoteness of usual residence and socio-economic status. The topics for Indigenous babies and babies of Indigenous mothers are gestational age, birthweight, birthweight adjusted for gestational age, Apgar score at 5 minutes, active resuscitation method, hospital length of stay and admission to special care nurseries (SCN) or neonatal intensive care units (NICU).
Indigenous mothers
In 2019, Indigenous mothers accounted for 4.8% (14,241) of women who gave birth.