How many models of care are there?

The maternity models of care in the Model of Care National Best Practice Data Set (MoC NBPDS) are classified at the maternity service level. Services identify and describe the models of care they offer, and each model has a unique model of care number.

Most maternity services in Australia in 2023 (96%) have at least one model of care classified in the MoC NBPDS, an increase from 93% of services in 2022. While the total number of services with models of care classified in the Maternity Care Classification System (MaCCS) Data Collection Tool (DCT) remains similar at 251, the number of models reported by services in 2023 increased by 125, from 887 to 1,012. Nearly half this increase (46%) was in Victorian services.

While the total number of models of care classified in the MoC NBPDS has increased, the key characteristics of the models of care remain the same and reflects the maternity care options available to women in Australia. It is not expected that further improvements in coverage will significantly change what these models of care look like at the national and jurisdictional level, although it is expected and that the quality of this information will continue to improve.

It is also important to note that models of care in different locations may be similar to, or different from each other with respect to their key characteristics. Every model of care can however be grouped into one of 11 major model categories; this makes it possible to report on the range of models of care available to women using common terminology. See Major model category definitions.

Maternity models of care – at a glance

In 2023, around 1,000 maternity models of care were reported as being in use across 251 maternity services. Most of these (90%) were in public maternity services. Around 37% of maternity services have one model of care, just over one-third (35%) have between 2 and 5 models of care, and 28% have 6 or more models of care. The median number of models of care is higher in public maternity services (4 models of care), than private services (one model of care).

Around 2 in 5 models (41%) fall within the model category of public hospital maternity care. This is followed by shared care (15% of models), midwifery group practice caseload care (14% of models), and private obstetrician (specialist) care (11% of models).

The interactive map below (Figure 1) shows the number of models of care in use for Australia and the 3 most common model categories these fall under. Select a State or Territory from the map or from the dropdown menu to see its summary information.

Figure 1: Maternity models of care, by state and territory, Australia, 2023

The map of Australia shows the total number of maternity models of care in each state and territory and the 3 most common major model categories these fall under. It also shows the range and median number of models of care for both public and private maternity services,

Notes

  1. 'Other' includes private maternity services (hospitals) that are also funded to provide public maternity care. 
  2. Analyses are based on the models of care being used by maternity services with birthing facilities that were classified in the MoC NBPDS in June 2023.

Source: AIHW analysis of the MoC NBPDS.