Department of Health

VPDC archive

The Victorian Perinatal Data Collection (VPDC) is a population-based surveillance system. It collects and analyses information on the health of mothers and babies, to contribute to improvements in their health.

The VPDC contains information relating to every birth in Victoria on:

  • obstetric conditions, procedures and outcomes
  • neonatal morbidity
  • congenital anomalies.

The definition of a birth for this purpose is any birth or stillbirth that is required to be registered under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996.

Birth reports to the VPDC cover more than 160 data items. Data items reported comply with the Perinatal National Minimum Data Set and are sent to the AIHW and used within DH and SCV.

A review is conducted each year to ensure the VPDC continues to capture the right data and meet its reporting obligations. Where needed, changes are made to add new data elements, codes and business rules. Occasionally, some data elements are retired.

A summary of the changes to the VPDC from 1 July 2015 to 1 July 2022 can be found here:

Summary of annual changes to the VPDC - 1 July 2015 to 1 July 2022 inclusive
docx 139.39 KB

The most current documents setting out changes to the VPDC, and the edition of the VPDC manual in use at present, are found at the VPDC website.

Links to documents setting out earlier changes to the VPDC, and the VPDC manuals for those years, are found below.

Documents setting out the changes from 1 July 2015, and the VPDC manuals from 2013, can be requested by email to the HDSS HelpDesk.

Reviewed 02 July 2025

Health.vic

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