Department of Health

Victorian Perinatal Data Collection

Key messages

  • The Victorian Perinatal Data Collection (VPDC) collects and analyses detailed information on obstetric conditions, procedures and outcomes relating to every birth in Victoria.
  • Births reported to the VPDC cover more than 160 data items and contribute to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)'s national data collection.

  • The VPDC is reviewed each year to ensure it continues to meet national reporting needs and support research to improve quality of care and outcomes.

The Victorian Perinatal Data Collection (VPDC) is a population-based surveillance system that collects for analysis comprehensive information on the health of mothers and babies, to contribute to improvements in their health. The data collection fulfills part of the legislative requirements for the Consultative Council on Obstetric and Paediatric Mortality and Morbidity (CCOPMM).

The VPDC contains information on obstetric conditions, procedures and outcomes, neonatal morbidity and congenital anomalies relating to every birth in Victoria. 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 1996External Link .

More than 160 data items are reported to the VPDC. These aim to comply with the National Perinatal Minimum Data Set as defined by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

Reporting and analysis

The VPDC contributes to the National Perinatal Data Collection managed by the AIHW. The AIHW produces the annual report Australia’s mothers and babies, using the National Perinatal Data Collection and other data.

Annual review

The VPDC is reviewed each year to ensure it continues to capture relevant data that complies with AIHW requirements and meets contemporary information needs.

Implementation of changes moved from calendar year to financial year from 1 July 2021.

No changes have been made to the VPDC from 1 July 2025.

For more information about the annual changes process, email HDSS HelpDesk.

Guidelines for reporting homebirths to the VPDC (public and private)

These guidelines have been developed to support consistent VPDC reporting of births occurring in the home.

Guidelines for reporting home births to VPDC
docx 257.98 KB

VPDC manual for 2025-26

VPDC manual 2025-26 (all sections)

VPDC manual for 2024-25

VPDC manual 2024-25 (all sections)

VPDC Archive

To view previous VPDC manuals and documents, visit VPDC Archive.

Reviewed 02 July 2025

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Contact details

Victorian Perinatal Data Collection Department of Health

hdss.helpdesk@health.vic.gov.au

Contact details

Consultative Councils Safer Care Victoria

50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
consultative.councils@safercare.vic.gov.au
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