Congratulations on your pregnancy! If having a minimal intervention birth with exceptional continuity of care from experienced midwives is important to you, then the birth centre could be a good maternity care option for you.

Please note the following information is specific to the RBWH birth centre. If you're applying for a different Queensland birth centre, please reach out to them directly to confirm their process.

The RBWH birth centre operates on a referral system and families are allocated on a first in first served basis. Given the high demand for birth centre care, we recommend getting your referral in at your earliest convenience.  You can be referred to the birth centre at any time during your pregnancy, even during the final trimester, if you meet the eligibility requirements.

How to apply for RBWH birth centre care


​1. Confirm your eligibility
  • ​Your residential address must be within the Metro North health catchment area to be eligible. You can check your suburb’s catchment area online - here is the link
  • Your pregnancy will need to be ‘low risk’ as determined by birth centre staff, taking into consideration your medical history, your blood and ultrasound results.
​2. Get a referral to the RBWH birth centre
  • Your GP needs to write a referral (they must nominate birth centre as the preferred option - this is important). If you have birthed at the RBWH birth centre previously, please also have the GP write the name of one of your midwives on the application
  • ​You can also complete an optional online registration form - here is the link. This registration form notifies the hospital of your preference for birth centre care, though it will not progress without a GP referral. 
3. Next steps
  • The GP referral will be matched with your registration form by the hospital
  • If you meet the low-risk eligibility criteria, you will be allocated to a midwife and notified. If you do not meet the criteria, you will be notified of your options.

More information on the RBWH maternity care options, including the birth centre, is available online - here is the link. 
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We aim to keep this page up-to-date but if you need assistance or have questions please contact the RBWH birth centre [email protected]

Updated 23/08/2024