06/12/2025
Evidence continues to show that physiological birth is well supported at home with skilled midwives. This is not a controversial claim in the research. It is one of the most consistent findings across maternity literature. When women labour in environments that protect privacy, allow freedom of movement, and support hormonal flow, physiology works as it is designed to work. Skilled midwives are trained to recognise normal birth, protect it, and intervene only when it is clinically necessary.
Homebirth works because the model keeps the woman at the centre and supports her with relationships rather than routines.
The challenge in Queensland is not evidence. It is access. We have only one publicly funded homebirth program in the entire state and it is located on the Sunshine Coast. This leaves the majority of women without a pathway to midwifery led continuity of care at home. More broadly, there is also not enough access to midwifery led continuity within our hospital system. Many women cannot secure a place in publicly funded Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) programs.
Expanding publicly funded homebirth would bring Queensland closer to countries where homebirth is treated as a well integrated and standard maternity care option. We also want to see Medicare rebates for private midwives increase in a meaningful way so that more women can access continuity without carrying the entire cost themselves.
If you want to support real change in Queensland, become a Homebirth Queensland member. Membership begins at $33 a year. Every membership strengthens this work.
