Birth Rates

Description

The Victorian Perinatal Data Collection Unit, Department of Human Services, has released information about birth rates for Victoria. The information is based on the number of births over a 24 month period using the population estimates of females aged 15-44 as the denominator. The Victorian Perinatal Data Collection Unit also calculates the percentage of women giving birth aged less than 20 (teenage mothers) for the most recent 24 month period.

Quality and Applicability

The Victorian Perinatal Data Collection Unit was established in 1982 by an amendment to the Health Act 1958 (Vic). The primary purpose of the Unit is to collect and analyse information on the health of mothers and babies to contribute to improvements in their health. Information collected complies with the National Perinatal Minimum Data Set and is included in annual reports on Australia's mothers and babies.

Birth rates are published in Births in Victoria and are the best figures to use if you want to know about the number of births in a given area and compare rates between areas.

Coverage

Birth rates per 1,000 women are available for all local government areas.

Reference Date

The most current birth rates are for the 2003 and 2004 calendar years.

Release Date

Births in Victoria 2003-2004 was published in 2005. Births in Victoria 2005-2006 is expected by mid-2008.

Access

Access birth rates in Births in Victoria 2003-2004.

Cost and Format

Birth rates are downloadable free of charge in PDF format.

More Information

Stay informed about the release dates. Telephone (03) 9096 2695, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or write to Victorian Perinatal Data Collection Unit, Public Health Group, Department of Human Services, 50 Lonsdale Street, GPO Box 4003 Melbourne Vic 3001.

Additional Data Source(s)

The Early Childhood Program, Department of Human Services, prepares annual reports for Maternal and Child Health Services. Annual reports include the number of birth notifications for the year and the number of enrolments in Maternal and Child Health Services. Information is available for local government areas (select at the regional level first) and can be accessed through the Department of Human Services.