Maternity and newborn levels of care in NSW public hospitals

​​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​Hospital levels of care

We’re here to support you and your baby through pregnancy, birth, and the early days after your baby is born.

Public hospitals in NSW are grouped by levels, based on the services they offer. At your first appointment, your care team will explain what your local hospital can offer and discuss the best place for your care.

All public hospitals are connected to a Level 6 hospital. These can provide more specialised care if you or your baby need it. This means if you need additional care and support that is not available at your local hospital you can be transferred to a hospital that can provide higher-level care. 

 

Levels of care in maternity services

Level 1

  • ​pregnancy and postnatal care for most women, and newborns born after 37 weeks with no complications
  • planned birth is not available.​

​Level 2

  • pregnancy care for most women
  • birth and postnatal care for most women and babies between 37 and 42 weeks
  • if babies need more support after birth, it will be at a higher-level hospital

​Level 3

  • pregnancy care for most women
  • birth and postnatal care for most women and babies between 37 and 42 weeks
  • some may provide more support for women and babies after birth, if needed.

Level 4

  • pregnancy care for most women
  • birth and postnatal care for women and babies from 34 weeks
  • can provide more support for women and babies after birth, if needed. ​

​Level 5

  • pregnancy care for most women
  • birth and postnatal care for women and babies from 32 weeks
  • can support women with more complex pregnancies and babies who need extra support after birth.​

​Level 6

  • pregnancy, birth and postnatal care for all women including those with serious or complex medical needs
  • have specialised services including newborn intensive care units (NICU).​
​

Levels of care in neonatal services

​

Level 1

  • ​support families to look after their well babies born after 37 weeks
  • care for babies requiring more support after birth will be at a higher-level service.

Level 2

  • ​​support families to look after their well babies born after 37 weeks
  • provide care for babies who need simple short-term care including for those returning closer to home.

Level 3

  • ​provide care for most babies born after 34 weeks and some babies born before 34 weeks with support from our linked hospitals
  • a small number of babies may need extra care at a higher-level hospital.

Level 4

  • provide care for most babies born after 32 weeks and some babies born earlier than 32 weeks with support from our linked hospitals
  • a small number of babies may need extra care at a higher-level hospital.​

Level 5

  • provide care for most babies requiring extra support after birth
  • a very small number of babies may need extra care at Level 6 hospital.

Level 6

  • ​provide care for all babies, including those who need complex medical care.
​

When you or your baby need more care

Sometimes, unexpected things can happen during pregnancy or birth, and you or your baby might need extra care.

This could be because:

  • you or your baby become unwell
  • you go into labour early
  • you need a special procedure.

If this happens, your care team will talk with you, explain your options, and help guide your decisions.

NSW hospitals are linked, this means if you or your baby need more specialised care, you'll be transferred safely to a hospital that can provide it.

If a transfer is needed, we'll give you time to prepare and explain what's happening every step of the way. We'll do our best to keep you and your baby together, and to care for you as close to home as possible.

Once you and your baby are well enough, you can usually return to a hospital closer to home.

We know this can be a stressful time for your family. We have people who can support you, like social workers and Aboriginal liaison officers. They can help with organising transport, accommodation, and financial help.

Ask as many questions as you need. Take the time you need to make the decisions that feel right for you.​

Maternity levels of care - printable PDFs

These factsheets can be downloaded and printed. 

Neonatal levels of care - printable PDFs

​These factsheets can be downloaded and printed.


 

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Current as at: Wednesday 10 September 2025
Contact page owner: Maternity, Child and Family