Overview of maternal deaths
In the 2021–2023 triennium, of the more than 886,000 women who gave birth in Australia, 81 died during or within 42 days of the end of pregnancy. Of these 81 deaths 59 were found to have occurred as a direct or indirect result of pregnancy (6.7 deaths per 100,000 women giving birth). One death in this triennium has not yet been classified.
The remaining 21 deaths were classified as coincidental deaths and are not included in the count of maternal deaths.
Trends in maternal deaths
Over the past 50 years, Australia’s maternal death rate has fluctuated at times but overall has significantly decreased from 12.7 per 100,000 women giving birth in 1973–1975, to 6.7 in 2021–2023.
Prior to the most recent period, the rate of maternal death had consistently decreased in each of the preceding 4 triennia, from 7.7 in 2009–2011 to 6.3 in 2018–2020. However, this triennium (2021–2023) shows an increase in the MMR, to 6.7 per 100,000 women giving birth. This remains a low MMR when compared across time since 1973–1975 (Figure 2.1) and will be monitored as more data are available.
Figure 2.1 Maternal mortality ratio of women who gave birth, 1973–1975 to 2021–2023
| Years | Direct | Indirect | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973–1975 | 8.3 | 4.4 | 12.7 |
| 1976–1978 | 7.7 | 5.2 | 12.8 |
| 1979–1981 | 7.9 | 5 | 12.9 |
| 1982–1984 | 5.9 | 3.5 | 9.4 |
| 1985–1987 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 8.5 |
| 1988–1990 | 4.9 | 4.4 | 9.3 |
| 1991–1993 | 3.5 | 2.9 | 6.2 |
| 1994–1996 | 6 | 2.6 | 8.6 |
| 1997–1999 | 4.5 | 4 | 8.4 |
| 2000–2002 | 4.2 | 6.9 | 11.1 |
| 2003–2005 | 3.8 | 4.7 | 8.4 |
| 2006–2008 | 2.7 | 4 | 6.9 |
| 2009–2011 | 3 | 4.3 | 7.7 |
| 2012–2014 | 3.7 | 3.5 | 7.2 |
| 2015–2017 | 2.5 | 4 | 6.6 |
| 2018–2020 | 3.5 | 2.8 | 6.3 |
| 2021–2023 | 2.8 | 3.8 | 6.7 |
- For periods prior to 2009, data are sourced from historical reports as published in Maternal deaths in Australia 2018–2020. For 2009 onwards, data are based on the latest data from the National Maternal Mortality Data Collection. As minor revisions occur to the data over time, results here may differ slightly from those published previously.
- In 2025, the classification of some historical deaths due to psychosocial causes were revised (see technical notes). As a result, maternal death rates over the period 2009–2022 differ in this report compared with previous AIHW reporting.
- Total maternal deaths include direct, indirect and maternal deaths not further classified.
- The denominator for the MMR is calculated using the number of women who gave birth to at least 1 baby (either a live birth or a stillbirth) of 20 or more weeks' completed gestation or with a birthweight of 400 grams or more. Minor revisions to the National Perinatal Data Collection may occur over time. The data presented are based on the latest available data at the time of publication and may differ slightly from those published in previous releases.
Source:
AIHW analysis of the National Maternal Mortality Data Collection and the National Perinatal Data Collection.
Since 1973 there have been:
- 1,162 maternal deaths
- 608 direct deaths
- 549 indirect deaths
- 6 deaths that could not be further classified by the relevant maternal mortality committee, or are awaiting classification, and
- 348 coincidental deaths (Figure 2.1, see supplementary table 1 – Data tables: Maternal deaths in Australia, 2021–2023).
The incidence of direct maternal deaths decreased by more than 50% between 1973–1975 and 2021–2023 (MMR 8.3 and 2.8, respectively). The MMR for indirect maternal death has also reduced over this period (MMR 4.4 in 1973–1975 to MMR 3.8 in 2021–2023), although the trend is less pronounced.
Age-standardised maternal death rates are available in supplementary tables 2 and 3 (Data tables: Maternal deaths in Australia 2021–2023).
Factors influencing the maternal mortality trend
The reduction in maternal death rates in Australia during the period covered by this report is multifactorial, including the improved general health of the population and the availability of better health care options. These include:
- the availability of more effective antibiotics
- the introduction of antibiotic prophylaxis regimes in at-risk situations
- blood transfusion
- active management of the third stage of labour in association with the use of oxytocic drugs
- safer anaesthesia
- specialised training in obstetric medicine; better intensive care
- effective diagnostic imaging (Humphrey 2016; Lawson 2025).
The availability of evidence-based guidelines and expert group recommendations for care are hoped to be effective drivers for improvement in some areas, such as the recognition of clinical deterioration (Bowyer 2025; RANZCOG 2021).
Some variations in the maternal mortality trend, for example the increase seen in 2000–2002, may also reflect enhanced reporting of maternal deaths for some conditions, as knowledge around their aetiology has improved over time.
State or territory of maternal death
Maternal deaths varied by state and territory (Table 2.1). Due to the small numbers of maternal deaths, differences between states and territories should be interpreted with caution.
Table 2.1 Maternal deaths, by state or territory of death, 2021–2023
State or territory | Maternal deaths | Number of women who gave birth | MMR |
|---|---|---|---|
New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory(a) | 16 | 294,142 | 5.4 |
Victoria | 17 | 229,375 | 7.4 |
Queensland | 15 | 180,538 | 8.3 |
Western Australia | 6 | 96,527 | 6.2 |
South Australia & the Northern Territory | 5 | 68,081 | 7.3 |
Tasmania | 0 | 17,382 | 0 |
(a) In the Australian Capital Territory, 16% of births for 2021–2023 were to women whose usual residence is in New South Wales.
Notes:
- Variations in the number of maternal deaths between states and territories should be interpreted with caution, due to the small numbers of deaths.
- The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 women who gave birth.
- NPDC data for women giving birth during the 2022 calendar year are based on complete data for 7 jurisdictions and a compilation of data for the ACT. The ACT’s data consists of their 2022 data for January to October, supplemented by their 2021 data for November and December. Care should be taken if comparing data across time. See Technical notes, Data quality and availability in Australia's Mothers and babies for more information.
- Total maternal deaths include direct, indirect and maternal deaths not further classified.
- State or territory refers to the jurisdiction in which the birth occurred or where the pregnancy ended without a birth (for example, where the woman had an early pregnancy loss or where the baby remained in utero at the time of maternal death).
- In 2025, the classification of some historical deaths due to psychosocial causes were revised (see Technical notes). As a result, maternal death rates over the period 2009–2022 differ in this report compared with previous AIHW reporting.
Source: AIHW analysis of the National Maternal Mortality Data Collection and the National Perinatal Data Collection.
Bowyer L, Cutts BA, Barrett HL, Bein K, Crozier TM, Gehlert J, Giles ML, Hocking J, Lowe S, Lust K, Makris A, Morton MR, Pidgeon T, Said J, Tanner HL, Wilkinson L and Wong M (2025) 'SOMANZ position statement for the investigation and management of sepsis in pregnancy 2023', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 65(1):37–46, doi:10.1111/ajo.13848.
Humphrey MD (2016) ‘Maternal mortality trends in Australia’, The Medical Journal of Australia, 205(8):344-346, doi: 10.5694/mja16.00906.
Lawson GW (2025) 'Maternal Deaths in Australia, 1964–2020. A Review', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 65(5):553–563, doi:10.1111/ajo.70011.
RANZCOG (The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) (2021) Management of Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH), RANZCOG, accessed 17 April 2026.