Maternity services in remote Northern Territory

Key facts

You will get pregnancy care at your nearest community care centre until you are 37-38 weeks pregnant.

Once you're 37-38 weeks pregnant, you will need to travel to hospital for the birth of your baby.

You might be able to claim some travel and accommodation costs through the Patient Assistance Travel Scheme.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people may be able to take part in Birthing on Country programs.

What are my options for maternity services in the Northern Territory?

If you live in remote Northern Territory, you will get pregnancy care at your nearest community care centre. This continues until you are 37-38 weeks pregnant.

Visit NT.gov.au to find a community health centre near you (Opens in new tab).

Your pregnancy care is given by:

You may need to go to hospital for ultrasounds:

in your first trimester
at 18-20 weeks
in your third trimester of pregnancy

Your community care centre will arrange your travel and accommodation before you go.

Where can I give birth in the Northern Territory?

Once you're 37-38 weeks pregnant, you will be advised to travel close to a hospital for the birth of your baby.

You will have the choice of going to one of these public hospitals:

You will get care from the hospital midwives. Doctors are also on hand if you or your baby needs them. The costs of care in a public hospital are usually covered by Medicare.

Your local community clinic will arrange your transport and accommodation.

Different hospitals have different services. Some have birth centres — these are suitable if you have a complication free pregnancy.

Private health insurance can help you cover some of the costs of private care.

You can have a home birth if you live in Alice Springs or Darwin and have an uncomplicated pregnancy. Learn more about home birth services (Opens in new tab) in those centres.

Learn about choosing where to give birth.

What support is there for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the Northern Territory?

Birthing on Country in the Northern Territory

Birthing on Country (Opens in new tab) is about giving Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander babies the best start in life. It includes supporting you in your transition to parenting through culturally appropriate care.

Ask your Aboriginal health worker or midwife about programs in your area.

Find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) near you (Opens in new tab).

Strong women, strong babies, strong culture program

You can access the Strong women, strong babies, strong culture program (Opens in new tab) if you are pregnant and from:

Canteen Creek
Utopia
Yuendumu

The program supports traditional ways of teaching women about healthy choices in pregnancy and early parenting.

Caring for Mum on Country

The Caring for Mum on Country project (Opens in new tab) has been working with women in northeast Arnhem Land.

They want to have childbirth services in their community.

They aim to do this by providing evidence‐based Western maternity care and cultural caring practices. This will be done by a workforce of skilled Yolŋu djäkamirr — the cultural caretakers of pregnancy and birth.

Can I get financial help for travel and accommodation expenses?

You might be able to claim back some of your travel and accommodation costs from the Patient Assistance Travel Scheme (PATS) (Opens in new tab).

Resources and support

Find health services near (Opens in new tab) you in remote Northern Territory

Find out more about parenting in regional and remote areas.

If you are unhappy about the care you get, you may want to learn about making a healthcare complaint.

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 (Opens in new tab) or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.