New Hospital Classifications for Nurse and Midwife to Patient Ratios
Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Amendment Bill 2026
Legislative Assembly
Legislative Council
Assent
Introduced by: The Hon Melissa Horne MP (ALP); The Hon Ingrid Stitt MLC (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
Eight hospitals, including Bendigo and The Royal Women's, become Level 1 hospitals for nurse and midwife ratios from 1 July 2027.
Twelve hospitals, including Sandringham and the Victorian Heart Hospital, become Level 2 hospitals from 1 July 2027.
Ararat, Colac Area, and Maryborough District health services become Level 3 hospitals from 1 July 2027.
Hospitals moving from Level 2 to Level 1 get a grace period; some ratio rules do not apply until 1 July 2029.
New Level 2 hospitals do not have to follow section 20B ratio rules until 1 July 2029.