Making a complaint about your maternity care
A complaint guideline, mental health support or further peer support if needed
Escalating your concerns about your care
Women have the right to provide feedback or make a complaint about any aspect of their maternity care, including safety, communication, informed consent, dignity, respect and decision-making. Raising concerns should not affect current or future care. Maternity services are expected to provide clear, accessible complaint processes, respond respectfully and transparently, with an appropriate timeline for processes and communication, and use women’s experiences to improve the safety and quality of care.
More information:
The Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health care has information below:
Making a Complaint: Consumer Guide
This maternity complaints guidance has been developed by consumers to help women and families navigate the complaints process following maternity care. It provides practical information about where and how to raise concerns, what information may be helpful to include, and the different options available if you are dissatisfied with the response. Making a complaint can feel overwhelming, particularly after a distressing or traumatic experience, so this resource is intended to make the process clearer, more accessible and easier to navigate.
Complaint contact
Select your state or territory PDF on the map to find the maternity service where you received care. You can then view the service’s contact details, complaint or feedback options, and information about what you may need to include when raising your concerns.
Every effort has been made to ensure this information is accurate and up to date. However, contact details and complaint processes may change, and the list may contain errors or omissions. Some hospitals included may not routinely provide maternity care; however, particularly in rural, remote or emergency settings, they may provide assessment, stabilisation or transfer of maternity patients.
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Thank you to Squire Patton Boggs for their contribution in compiling the extensive list of hospital contacts,
Further information
Taking it further
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When concerns about maternity care are not adequately addressed by the hospital or health service, women may have other options for escalation. This guide provides contact details for each state and territory’s independent health complaints regulator, information about raising concerns regarding individual practitioners, and links to public health-service leadership and local Members of Parliament. These pathways may be particularly important where concerns are serious, repeated, affect multiple families or indicate a broader safety, quality or cultural problem. Independent regulators can consider complaints about health services and practitioners, while health-service executives, governing boards and elected representatives may help ensure systemic concerns receive appropriate oversight and attention.
Looking for legal advice?
MCN peer support does not provide legal advice or representation. Women who are considering compensation, court action or other legal options should seek independent advice from a lawyer experienced in medical negligence, personal injury or health law.
Time limits may apply, so advice should be sought promptly. Your state or territory Law Society can help you locate an appropriate solicitor. Ask about the cost of the first appointment, the lawyer’s maternity or medical-negligence experience, likely costs, possible time limits and whether they offer a conditional or “no win, no fee” arrangement. Legal Aid and community legal centres may provide information or referrals, although medical-negligence representation is not routinely available through all services.
Further information
Book 1 on 1 peer support
Our peer support members can help you refine your complaint, understand your options and navigate the complaints process. This is a peer support and guidance service only. The peer support members do not provide legal advice, legal representation, clinical advice, counselling or mental health treatment. They offer lived-experience-informed support alongside paid employment and parenting responsibilities and will respond as promptly as they can. Please select the link below to view available booking and payment options.
30 min
20 Australian dollars
1 hr
50 Australian dollars