Low birthweight is defined as less than 2,500 grams.

Excludes multiple births, stillbirths and births of less than 20 weeks gestation.

Analysis by state/territory, remoteness and Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD) is based on the usual residence of the mother.

Data excludes Australian non-residents, residents of external territories and records where state/territory of usual residence was not stated.

Variability bands are to be calculated using the standard method (see definition under Computation).

Presented as a:

• number, and
• percentage.

100 × (Numerator ÷ Denominator)

Variability bands: to be calculated using the standard method for estimating 95% confidence intervals as follows:

CI (CR)_95% = CR ± 100 × 1.96 × √[((CR/100) × (1 – (CR/100)))/n]

Where   n=number of live born singleton babies.

CI = confidence interval

CR = crude rate (expressed as a percentage)

Number of low birthweight live born singleton babies.

Number of live born singleton babies.

2017—Nationally, by (all not reported):

• remoteness (Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) 2016 Remoteness Structure)
• 2016 Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD) deciles.

2017—State and territory, by:

• Indigenous status of the mother
• Indigenous status of the baby.

2015–17—State and territory, by (all not reported):

• Indigenous status of the mother
• Indigenous status of the baby.

Disaggregation by Indigenous status of the mother and the baby are recommended to be reported using 3-year combined data for the current reporting period due to the small number of low birthweight babies born to Indigenous mothers each year, and the small number of low birthweight Indigenous babies born each year. Single year data (2017) is reported for time series (state/territory by Indigenous status).

Note that data collection methods for Indigenous status of the mother and baby may vary between states and territories.

Most recent data available for 2020 National Healthcare Agreement performance reporting: 2017 (calendar year data).

Indigenous: Aggregated data (2015 to 2017) is reported for the current reporting period (state and territory).

Single year data (2017) is reported for time-series (state and territory).

Information is included in the National Perinatal Data Collection (NPDC) for all live births and stillbirths of at least 400 grams birthweight or at least 20 weeks gestation. Data for this indicator may therefore include live born terminations of pregnancy of at least 20 weeks gestation.

N[NN].N

National Healthcare Agreement

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Specification: Final, the measure meets the intention of the indicator.