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 1996(opens in a new window).
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.
VPDC data for the current financial year
VPDC manual for 2026-27
VPDC manual 2026-27 (all sections)
The VPDC manual for the current financial year includes all changes implemented from 1 July 2026. Those changes are set out in the Specifications for revisions to the VPDC for 1 July 2026.
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.
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.
All annual changes to the VPDC are approved by the CCOPMM.
The approved changes for births from 1 July the following year are documented as specifications for revisions, distributed to health services and software vendors no later than 31 December, and published on this webpage by mid-January each year.
Implementation of changes moved from calendar year to financial year from 1 July 2021.
Call for proposals for changes to the VPDC from 1 July 2027
Proposals for changes to the VPDC from 1 July 2027 can be submitted by emailing the completed Proforma for Proposals for revisions to the VPDC for 2027-28 to the HDSS HelpDesk before 5pm on Friday 7 August 2026.
Proposals submitted will be reviewed by the CCOPMM to determine those to be distributed for feedback from health services, software vendors and from stakeholders within Safer Care Victoria and the department. The CCOPMM will consider all feedback when determining the changes to the VPDC from 1 July 2027.
For more information about the annual changes process, email HDSS HelpDesk.
VPDC manuals and change documents for prior years
VPDC manual for 2025-26
VPDC manual 2025-26 (all sections)
VPDC Archive
To view previous VPDC manuals and documents, visit VPDC Archive.
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