Benefits of Public / Free Maternity Care
In Perth, Western Australia, we’re incredibly fortunate to have access to a range of free public maternity care options (for those with Medicare). The most acknowledged advantage of the public system is that it comes with very few expenses. While Medicare covers nearly all aspects of care in a public hospital, there are some potential out-of-pocket costs, such as ultrasounds, blood tests, certain antenatal classes, and some postnatal care services. However, these costs are usually minimal—typically under $500 for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
If you fall within the catchment areas, and don't have complications or prior medical history that exclude you from the programs, then you may be able to access a Community Midwifery Program (CMP), Maternity Group Practice (MGP) or a Family Birth Centre (FBC). These models of care offer great-to-good continuity of care and work within a physiological birth philosophy. Meaning you are better supported to achieve a low intervention birth within these models than you are within a general public maternity hospital setting (discussed in more detail later on)
Stats on Onset of Labour and Method of Birth
Between Private and Public Hospitals
Australia's Mothers and Babies Report 2022: Method of birth
Australia's Mothers and Babies Report 2022: Onset of labour
Downsides of Public Health Care
A lack of continuity of care, in my opinion, is the biggest downfall of our public health care system. Continuity of care means you have the same provider during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. While there are some great options that provide better continuity, such as MGP and CMP (discussed in detail next), it is most common for women in the public system to have a lead provider for pregnancy and postpartum but unfamiliar faces in the birth space (this is why a doula can be essential). Continuity of care provides better outcomes for women and babies, including lower rates of preterm birth, reduced need for interventions during labour, higher breastfeeding success rates, and improved maternal satisfaction (Sandall et al., 2016).
Other key downsides of the public health maternity care system include:
- Limited access to midwifery group practices (MGPs) and caseload midwifery – While continuity models exist, they are often in high demand with limited spots available, and restricted to catchment areas, making them inaccessible for many women.
- High intervention rates in hospitals – Public hospitals tend to have higher rates of induction, epidurals, and assisted deliveries, often influenced by staffing, policy, and time constraints rather than medical necessity, although lower than private hospitals.
- Short postpartum stays – Many women are discharged within 24 hours after birth, limiting their access to in-hospital breastfeeding support and postpartum care. However, for some women this may be a positive.
- Understaffing and overworked staff – Public maternity wards often have midwives and obstetricians managing high patient loads, which can lead to rushed care and less personalised support.
- Inconsistent information and advice – Women often receive conflicting advice from different care providers, especially around breastfeeding, newborn care, and recovery, leading to confusion and stress.
- Limited birth choices – While some public hospitals offer water birth, low-intervention options, or VBAC support, these choices are not universally available and often depend on hospital policies and individual practitioner preferences.
Public Birth Options In Perth
Public Hospital Birth (Free with Medicare)
Many (but not all) Public hospitals provide maternity care at no/very low cost to Medicare-eligible patients. You can choose to receive antenatal care at a public hospital or have shared care with a Midwife or GP/OB for most of your pregnancy and give birth in a public hospital. Shared Care means you have routine check-ups with your chosen Midwife or GP/OBGYN instead of a hospital clinic, making care often more convenient.
The following Perth hospitals offer maternity services:
- Armadale Health Service
- Bentley Hospital
- Family Birth Centre – Fiona Stanley Hospital
- Family Birth Centre – King Edward Memorial Hospital
- Fiona Stanley Hospital
- Joondalup Health Campus
- King Edward Memorial Hospital
- Osborne Park Hospital
- Peel Health Campus
- Rockingham General Hospital
- St John of God Midland Public Hospital
If you are receiving your care directly through the hospital, you will likely see several different providers throughout your pregnancy, and there is no guarantee that any of them will be present when you give birth. While shared care options (with a Midwife, GP/OB) can offer continuity of care during pregnancy and postpartum, this continuity often doesn't usually extend to the birth itself, so you often don't have a known midwife or OB supporting you during labour and birth. Additionally, public hospitals sometimes go on bypass, which means they temporarily redirect women to another hospital.
Photography taken by Jami Twine (edited by Sarah Del Borrello) of couple during labour at KEMH
Community Midwifery Program (CMP)
The CMP offers government-funded (free) homebirth services to low-risk women within a 40/50kms radius of Perth CBD. This program provides an alternative to homebirth with a Privately Practicing Midwife which usually costs around $5,500 out of pocket (after Medicare rebate).
Women accepted into the CMP you are assigned a primary midwife who will provide the majority of your care throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. In addition to the primary midwife, a small team of backup midwives is available to step in if needed.
One of the downfalls of the Community Midwifery Program (CMP), when compared to hiring a private midwife, is the likelihood of having a backup midwife present at your birth. Due to rostered days off and limitations on the amount of time midwives can attend births, it’s not guaranteed that your primary midwife will be available. Another consideration is that the CMP has compulsory tests and requirements that must be met to remain in the program. This is designed to ensure that your homebirth is low-risk, but it can feel restrictive for some women. The program also has strict eligibility criteria, so if you fail to meet these criteria at any point during your pregnancy, you could be removed from the program and referred to alternative care options. This can be particularly concerning if unexpected complications arise or if your preferences for care change as your pregnancy progresses.
More information on eligibility, the application process, and catchment areas can be found on the CMP website here.
Photography by Sarah Del Borrello of CMP Midwife showing siblings the placenta during homebirth.
Family Birth Centre (FBC) at KEMH or FSH
The FBC at King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) and Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) provide a midwifery-led, home-like birthing environment for low-risk women who are planning a physiological birth but prefer the reassurance of hospital facilities nearby. This is a popular choice for women who want a waterbirth and early discharge with access to hospital facilities.
However, similar to the CMP, the FBC have strict eligibility criteria, compulsory tests and they are restricted by hospital policies.
More information on eligibility, the application process, and the Family Birth Centres at KEMH and FSH can be found here for KEMH and here for FSH.
Photograph by Sarah Del Borrello of newborn baby.
Maternity Group Practice (MGP)
The MGP offers reasonable continuity of care within a public hospital setting. Women are assigned a group or team of midwifes who provide care throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. This model is popular for women planning a Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC) or those with other risk factors, such as twins, as the MGP is more inclusive than other programs such as the CMP or FBC.
The MGP is available at a few hospitals within the Perth metro area, including Armadale Health Service, Fiona Stanley Hospital, and King Edward Memorial Hospital.
More information on eligibility, the application process, and the MGP can be found on the Healthy WA website.
Photograph by Sarah Del Borrello of newborn baby on mother's chest immediately after waterbirth.
Free Resources
To Help you Prepare for a Physiological Birth
The Great Birth Rebellion Podcast
Best for: Busting birth myths and learning about evidence-based care.
Australian midwives Mel and B (from Core and Floor Restore) break down birth topics in an engaging, practical way. They challenge common misconceptions around birth and interventions, helping parents feel more confident and informed.
Core, Floor & Restore – Free Antenatal Videos
Best for: Preparing your body for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery.
These free antenatal videos, created by a physiotherapist, guide you through breathing techniques, core strengthening, and pelvic floor exercises to support your body through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery.
Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) – Free Breastfeeding Education
Best for: Learning about breastfeeding before and after birth.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association offers free breastfeeding education articles, webinars, and a 24/7 support helpline for parents needing guidance. They also have local meetups where you can connect with lactation support.
The Midwives’ Cauldron Podcast
Best for: Deep dives into midwifery, birth physiology, and women's health.
Hosted by midwives Katie James and Dr. Rachel Reed, this podcast explores pregnancy, birth, and postpartum through a holistic, evidence-based lens. They cover topics like undisturbed birth, birth rights, and the hormonal physiology of labour.
Evidence Based Birth
Best for: Research-backed, unbiased information on birth practices and interventions.
Evidence Based Birth® is a fantastic resource for anyone who wants to understand the latest research on birth topics like due dates, labour induction, VBAC, and pain relief options. Their free blog articles and podcast episodes are a great starting point for parents who want to make informed choices.
Spinning Babies
Best for: Learning how to optimise fetal positioning.
Spinning Babies® teaches simple techniques that can help align the baby in an ideal position for birth. Their website offers free videos and articles on body balancing, labour progress, and comfort measures. These techniques can be especially helpful for first-time parents or those planning a VBAC.
Birth Time Documentary (low-cost)
Best for: Learning about maternity care options in Australia.
The Birth Time documentary (available for purchase) explores Australia’s maternity system, but they also offer free podcast episodes and educational resources for parents looking to understand their birthing rights and options.
Born at Home Film (low-cost)
Best for: Understanding homebirth and unmedicated birth options.
Born at Home is a beautiful documentary that takes a deep dive into the homebirth experience. It showcases real stories from families who have chosen to birth at home, exploring the emotional, physical, and practical aspects of unmedicated birth. It’s an inspiring resource for those considering homebirth or simply curious about it.
Maternity Choices Australia
Best for: Understanding your maternity care choices in Australia.
Maternity Choices Australia provides comprehensive, evidence-based information on maternity care options in Australia. Their resources cover topics such as choosing a care provider, understanding your rights, and making informed decisions about your birth plan. This is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to explore and navigate the Australian maternity system.
Photograph by Sarah Del Borello of pregnant women holding pregnancy, birth and postpartum books.
References
Sandall, J., Soltani, H., Gates, S., Shennan, A., & Devane, D. (2016). Midwife-led continuity models versus other models of care for childbearing women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2016(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004667.pub5
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023). Australia’s mothers and babies. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mothers-babies/australias-mothers-babies/contents/about
