Goal 1: Aboriginal children are born healthy and thrive

Overview

The first five years of a child's life are fundamental to shaping their future. Delivering better maternal and early childhood services means removing barriers, promoting genuine and effective partnerships and supporting Aboriginal families to access culturally safe services.

Measures under Goal 1 have varied in performance

Aboriginal infant health has declined with low birth weight, preterm birth and perinatal mortality all increasing in between 2024 and 2025.

Aboriginal children are receiving more health support from Koorie maternity services and are being immunised at higher rates.

Goal 1 directly aligns with the following Closing the Gap Outcome and Target

Outcome 2: Aboriginal Children are born healthy and strong.

• Target 2: By 2031, increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies with a healthy birth weight to 91 per cent.

Closing the Gap - How Victoria is tracking nationally

Outcome 2: In 2023, 88.9 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies born were of a healthy birth weight across Australia. This is the same for the proportion in Victoria. Nationally and in Victoria, there has been no change since the baseline year (2017).

1.1 Improve maternal and infant health

Measure 1.1.1 Rate of low birth weight

What does the data say?

In 2023, 173 babies of Aboriginal mothers were born with low birth weight. This is 13.2 per cent of all babies of Aboriginal mothers born in Victoria.

Does the data show improvement or decline?

There were 35 more babies of Aboriginal mothers born with low birth weight in 2023 than 2022, and 45 more babies than 2014. This is an increase in the percentage of low birthweight babies of Aboriginal mothers compared to all babies of Aboriginal mothers by 2.4 percentage points. This represents a worsening of results.

How does this compare with non-Aboriginal results?

In 2023 4,822 non-Aboriginal babies were born with low birth weight. That is one fewer baby than in 2022. There were 400 fewer non-Aboriginal babies born with low birth weight than in 2014. Over the short and long term, the percentage of non-Aboriginal babies born with low birth weight has remained the same, around 6.7 per cent as recorded in 2023.

Measure 1.1.2 Rate of pre-term birth

What does the data say?

In 2023, 160 babies of Aboriginal mothers were born pre-term. This represents 12.2 per cent of all babies of Aboriginal mothers born in Victoria.

Does the data show improvement or decline?

There was one more baby born pre-term to Aboriginal mothers in 2023 than in 2022. During the same period, the percentage of babies born pre-term to Aboriginal mothers has remained the same. Over the long term, there were 19 more babies born pre-term to Aboriginal mothers in 2023 than in 2014.

Although the number has been increasing, the percentage of pre-term births for Aboriginal mothers has been decreasing over the long term. This indicates an improvement of results.

How does this compare with non-Aboriginal results?

In 2023, 5,695 babies of non-Aboriginal mothers were born pre-term. This is 7.9 per cent of all births to non-Aboriginal mothers in Victoria. That is 38 fewer babies born pre-term than in 2022, and 717 fewer than in 2014. Comparing the percentage of pre-term births for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal mothers, babies born to Aboriginal mothers are 1.5 times as likely to be born pre-term.

Measure 1.1.3 Rate for perinatal mortality

What does the data say?

In 2021–23, 42 babies of Aboriginal mothers died before birth or within 28 days of birth. This represents a rate of 10.8 babies of Aboriginal mothers per 1,000.

Does the data show improvement or decline?

Two more babies of Aboriginal mothers died before birth or within 28 days of birth in 2021-23 than in 2020–22. Over the long term, 10 more babies of Aboriginal mothers died before birth or within 28 days of birth than in 2014–16. These increases in the number of perinatal deaths have not resulted in a large increase in the rate of Aboriginal perinatal mortality per 1,000, which has remained steady.

How does this compare with non-Aboriginal results?

In 2021–23, 2,089 babies of non-Aboriginal mothers died before birth or within 28 days of birth. This represents a rate of 9.2 babies of non-Aboriginal mothers per 1,000.

In 2021-23, 37 fewer babies of non-Aboriginal mothers died before birth or within 28 days of birth than in 2020-22, and 132 fewer than in 2014–16. Since 2014-16, the rate of perinatal mortality for non-Aboriginal mothers per 1,000 has not changed significantly.

Measure 1.1.4 Smoking during pregnancy

What does the data say?

In 2023, 443 Aboriginal women smoked during their pregnancy. This represents 35.9 per cent of all pregnant Aboriginal women in Victoria.

Does the data show improvement or decline?

There were 19 fewer Aboriginal women who smoked during their pregnancy in 2023 than in 2022. This is a 1.8 per cent reduction in Aboriginal women smoking during pregnancy in this period.

Over the long term, 42 more Aboriginal women smoked during their pregnancy in 2023 than in 2014. Although that is an increased number, the percentage of Aboriginal women who smoked during pregnancy has declined by 5.2 percentage points over the decade. This is an improvement in results.

How does this compare with non-Aboriginal results?

In 2023 3,982 non-Aboriginal women smoked during their pregnancy. This represents 5.6 per cent of all pregnant non-Aboriginal women in Victoria. In the short term, the percentage of non-Aboriginal women smoking during pregnancy has not changed, but it has declined 3.9 per cent over the last decade.

When comparing the per cent of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal pregnant women. Aboriginal pregnant women are 6.4 times more likely to smoke during their pregnancy.

1.2 Children thrive in their first 1,000 days

Measure 1.2.1 Participation rates for Maternal and Child Health Key Ages and Stages Consultation

What does the data say?

In 2024-25, 14,911 Key Age Consultations were conducted with Aboriginal children across 10 key ages and stages. Of those, 1,805 were at the ‘home visit’ stage (within two weeks of a baby’s birth or arrival at home), 1,691 were at 2 weeks, 1,697 were at 4 weeks, 1,690 were at 8 weeks, 1,671 were at 4 months, 1,481 were at 8 months, 1,422 were at 12 months, 1,229 were at 18 months, 1,220 were at 2 years, and 1,005 were at 3.5 years.

Of the 10 key ages and stages, home visit had the highest participation rate for Aboriginal children, at 99.2 per cent. The 3.5-year visit had the lowest participation rate, at 58.4 per cent.

Does the data show improvement or decline?

Since 2023-24, the proportion of Aboriginal children participating in home visits and 2-week visits declined. In the same period, 4-week and 8-week visits remained steady, and participation in every other key age and stage visit increased.

Since 2015-16, the participation of Aboriginal children in all key ages and stages visits has increased. The largest increase is at the 4-month visit, with 21.9 per cent higher participation.

Increasing participation in key age consultations means this measure is improving.

How does this compare with non-Aboriginal results?

In 2024-25, Aboriginal children were less likely than all children to participate in key ages and stages consultations for home visit, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months and 18 months.

Aboriginal children were as likely as all children to participate in 2-year and 3.5-year visits.

Measure 1.2.2 Attendance at Koori Maternal Health Service

What does the data say?

In 2024–25, 897 Aboriginal women attended Koori Maternity Services in Victoria. This is the highest number since 2018-19.

Does the data show improvement or decline?

In 2024-25, 27 more Aboriginal women attended Koori Maternity Services than in 2023-24. Over the long term, 412 more Aboriginal women attended Koori Maternity Services in 2024-25 than in 2018–19.

Increasing attendance at Koori Maternity Services means this measure is improving.

Measure 1.2.3 Immunisation rates at 12, 24, and 60 months

What does the data say?

In 2025, 90.8 per cent of Aboriginal 1-year-olds, 89.5 per cent of Aboriginal 2-year-olds and 95.6 per cent of Aboriginal 5-year-olds were immunised.

Does the data show improvement or decline?

Since 2024, the proportion of immunised Aboriginal 1- and 5-year-old children did not change.

In the same period, immunisation rates for Aboriginal 2-year-olds increased by 5.8 per cent. It should be noted that 2-year-old immunisation rates in 2024 were lower than previous years, making 2025 rates similar to historic figures.

How does this compare with non-Aboriginal results?

In 2025, 92.4 per cent of all 1-year-olds, 90.8 per cent of all 2-year-olds and 94.5 per cent of all 5-year-olds in Victoria were immunised. This means that Aboriginal 5-year-olds were as likely to be immunised than their peers. Aboriginal 1- and 2-year-olds were less likely to be immunised than their peers.

Measure 1.2.4 Participation in facilitated playgroups (0-5 years)

What does the data say?

In 2025, 555 Aboriginal children (0-5 years old) participated in Supported Playgroups (SPG). This represented 5.4 per cent of all Aboriginal children in Victoria.

In 2025, 591 Aboriginal children participated in Koorie Supported Playgroups (KSPG). This represented 5.8 per cent of Aboriginal children.

SPG and KSPG are free programs for Victorian families facing disadvantage with children from birth to school age. A qualified facilitator leads these sessions where parents develop their skills and confidence to support their child’s wellbeing and development.

KSPG are specifically tailored for Aboriginal families, fostering cultural safety, strengthening community connections, building parenting confidence and providing culturally appropriate early intervention. KSPG are delivered by ACCOs statewide.

Does the data show improvement or decline?

There were 92 fewer Aboriginal children participating in SPG in 2025 than in 2024. Although this is a reduction in numbers, the percentage of Aboriginal children participating has not changed. In 2025, 369 more Aboriginal children participated in SPG than in 2017, representing a 1.1 percentage point increase in the proportion of Aboriginal children participating in SPG.

In contrast, 206 more Aboriginal children participated in KSPG in 2025 than in 2024. The proportion of Aboriginal children participating in KSPG rose by 2 percentage points in that period. There were 362 more Aboriginal children participating in KSPG in 2025 than in 2019. This represents 3.1 percentage point increase in the proportion of Aboriginal children participating.

How does this compare with non-Aboriginal results?

In 2025, Aboriginal children’s participation in facilitated playgroups was higher than non-Aboriginal children in Victoria.

In 2025, 1,146 Aboriginal children participated in either an SPG or KSPG. This represents 11.2 per cent of Aboriginal children in Victoria (5.4 per cent SPG and 5.8 per cent KSPG). In comparison, 16,399 children participated in a SPG in 2025. This represents 3.5 per cent of all children in Victoria.

KSPG is a facilitated playgroup designed and delivered by ACCOs to Aboriginal children only.

Goal 1 – Victorian Government Investment and Action

Maternal and child health

Aboriginal Maternal and Child Health (MCH) program

Throughout 2025, DH continued to fund the Aboriginal MCH program, supporting 15 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) operating across 17 sites. This includes funding for Aboriginal MCH service delivery; additional funding to boost flexible support to meet the growing Aboriginal population; and funding to enable staff to undertake lactation training and provide lactation support.

MCH Key Ages and Stages (KAS) consultations

Access to healthcare in the early stages of life is essential for achieving better health outcomes later on. MCH KAS consultations are provided free of charge to all Victorian children from birth to school age.

Koorie Maternity Services

Throughout 2024-25, DH continued to fund Koori Maternity Services (KMS), supporting 11 ACCHOs and three sites in public hospitals. This included funding for service delivery and funding to enable staff to undertake lactation training and provide lactation support.

KMS have continued to provide culturally safe care for First Nations women and families throughout the maternity journey, supported by multidisciplinary teams including (but not limited to) Aboriginal Health Practitioners, Aboriginal Health Workers and midwives.

Baluk Balert Barring

In 2024-25, $697,033 was provided to support Victoria’s first Aboriginal-dedicated Early Parenting Centre (EPC), Baluk Balert Barring. Operated by First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing, the EPC opened in Frankston in October 2024 and delivers culturally safe and responsive antenatal and early parenting supports to Aboriginal women and families with children up to primary school age.

Virtual Hospital Pilot

DH has commenced a Virtual Hospital Pilot to test the delivery of admitted inpatient care in home or remote settings. As part of this, the Royal Women’s Hospital (RWH) is trialling a remote foetal medicine service, in which clinicians from the RWH will provide consultation and support to patients in regional Victoria with suspected foetal concern or complex pregnancies, seeking to prioritise care for First Nations women.

The aim is to improve access to care and reduce the number of patients who need to travel to Melbourne. This pilot service commenced in early 2026.

Safer Care Victoria

Safer Care Victoria has partnered with Women’s Healthcare Australasia for Phase 2 of the National Preterm Birth Prevention Collaborative, building on the learning from the ‘Every Week Counts’ Collaborative (2022-2024), with the aim of reducing pre-term and early-term birth by 20 per cent among participating Victorian maternity services by June 2026. There are four Victorian health services participating in Phase 2 of this work.

Phase 2 of the collaborative places a strong emphasis on partnering with First Nations communities to deliver culturally safe preterm birth prevention care. This work is vital in supporting improved health outcomes for First Nations women and babies.

Partnering with KMS and ACCHOs delivers culturally connected care that enhances protective factors and improves health outcomes for First Nations women and babies. Safer Care Victoria, in collaboration with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, is supporting sites to build strong partnerships with their local ACCHOs and KMS.

Co-design of culturally safe perinatal services

Through the co-design of culturally safe perinatal emotional wellbeing screening practices. Aboriginal health practitioners have contributed as members of the Expert Advisory Group, while practitioners and parents have participated in co-design workshops, focus groups and surveys. This collaborative process has helped develop screening practices that are responsive to the needs and lived experiences of Aboriginal communities, with Aboriginal perspectives and leadership incorporated.

Records

Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria (BDM)

In Victoria, children require a birth registration and a legal birth certificate issued by BDM to establish their identity, enrol in early childhood education and for immunisation processes and in turn, support children to thrive.

In 2024-25, BDM delivered targeted initiatives to increase the number of birth registrations and birth certificate possession for Aboriginal children born in Victoria. Initiatives focused on workforce education, sector engagement and place-based community outreach.

As part of this work, BDM delivered information sessions on registering a birth and applying for birth certificates, both at the time of birth and later in a child’s life. Sessions were tailored for ACCO, MCH and Early Childhood Education providers—aiming to increase the workforce’s awareness of and access to BDM resources, so that community professionals can better support parents and families in navigating and completing registration and application processes.

In 2024-25, BDM also participated in Community Justice Days, NAIDOC events and Bring Your Bills Days, providing face-to-face assistance in regional areas of Victoria, including the Mallee region and Gippsland. BDM worked collaboratively with Aboriginal organisations to educate and support parents with registering the birth of their child(ren) and applying for a certificate. Applicants with complex or intersecting needs – for example, family violence, homelessness or socio-economic disadvantage – were provided with tailored assistance, including access to a fee waiver (see Domain 4 for further detail about BDM’s Fee Waiver policy).

BDM delivered a series of Community Outreach Days to First Nations communities in regional Victoria. Community Outreach Days were on-site, tailored to community need, provided culturally safe assistance to complete Birth Registration Statements (BRS), resolved outstanding BRS and improved access to essential services through digital applications.

Community Outreach Days also focussed on building ACCO capacity to support parents and families in completing online registrations and applications – a pathway that is more efficient than the paper-based or manual process. This included staff training, document readiness support and practical tools to enhance digital inclusion, to enable ACCOs to deliver tailored, self-determined support.

In collaboration with the Australian Bureau of Statistics, DGS reviewed how births, deaths and marriages data can be used to improve how Victoria assesses performance against Closing the Gap targets.

As a result, the BDM data analytics were enhanced to improve reporting on the number of First Peoples born in Victoria and their access to birth registration processes. BDM death data also contributes to work on life expectancy.