The Government of Western Australia (WA) has begun above-ground construction at the site of the new 274-bed Women and Babies Hospital in Murdoch, marking a major milestone in the project’s timeline.
The new facility, with a total budget of A$1.8bn ($1.3bn), is part of a broader state plan to improve health infrastructure and is expected to open in 2029.
The new phase follows several months of preparatory work involving piling and concrete pouring.
Workers have begun installing self-climbing jumpform systems and building the first floor. Jumpform construction involves pouring concrete walls that, once cured, allow the formwork and equipment to climb upward and repeat the process on each successive level.
In a non-traditional approach, the project team started first-floor construction before pouring the ground slab. This sequence lets below-ground service installations continue while above-ground work moves forward.
Alongside the jumpform method, the project will use an on-site modular building system. This system combines precast concrete columns, integrated steel floor beams, and precast floor panels to speed up assembly of the hospital’s structure.
Upcoming work will include a concrete pour for the first floor, with the ground floor slab pours scheduled for later this year.
Progress is also being made on the accompanying multi-deck car park, with the ground floor complete and first-level works in progress. The six-level facility is planned to open in 2027.
WA Health Minister Meredith Hammat said: “The new Women and Babies Hospital will become the centrepiece of maternity and newborn care in Western Australia.
“It will support generations of families, expand access to specialist care, and provide our healthcare workers with the facilities they need to deliver the very best treatment.”
The project, led by contractor Webuild, forms part of the WA government’s health infrastructure initiative, totalling A$5.5bn.
The hospital will replace King Edward Memorial Hospital and will be located within the Fiona Stanley Hospital precinct.
The overall expansion also includes works at Osborne Park Hospital and Perth Children’s Hospital.
Planned enhancements include gynaecology, maternity and neonatology services, obstetrics theatres, outpatient clinics and upgraded support services throughout the network.
Recently, the WA government awarded a contract valued at A$238.5m ($172m) to expand Acacia Prison, a key milestone in the state’s custodial infrastructure plans.
