Overview

A newborn baby's health can be a key determinant of their health and wellbeing throughout life. Factors such as physical health, social wellbeing and exposure to harmful behaviours can influence health outcomes for both mothers and babies.

Featured reports

Latest findings

Birth rate increased after a period of decline (from 56 per 1,000 women in 2020 to 61 per 1,000 in 2021)

Average maternal age is increasing (from 30.0 years in 2011 to 31.1 in 2021)

Over 8,400 (3%) babies born in 2017 had a congenital anomaly

Circulatory system anomalies were found in 33% of babies with an anomaly, and musculoskeletal system anomalies in 24%

In 2020, there were 14,605 babies born to 14,384 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers aged under 20 years has halved (from 22% in 2005 to 11% in 2020)

More reports and statistics on mothers & babies can be found under Children & youth and Men & women.