What’s happening?
- The Victorian Government is upgrading the Austin Hospital’s Emergency Department.
- Mercy Hospital for Women’s proximity to the Austin Hospital means staff, patients and visitors to will be impacted during the construction phase.
- From 8 September 2025 the front entrance to Mercy Hospital for Women will be closed as part of the project. The area outside the front entrance will be closed to pedestrians and vehicles. Changes to how you access the hospital are below.
What you need to know
Mercy Hospital for Women will stay fully open during the Austin Hospital’s emergency department upgrade, but construction will change how patients and visitors enter and move around the Mercy Hospital for Women.
Front entrance closure
From September 2025 until 2028, the front entrance to both Mercy Hospital for Women and Austin Hospital will be closed to enable the upgrade works.
The area outside the front entrance will be closed to pedestrians and vehicles, including:
- The external stairs from Studley Road leading to the Mercy Hospital for Women and Austin Hospital front entrances
- Driving access to the roundabout outside the front entrance.
Emergency care or labour care
Women in labour or in need of emergency care, please come to the Mercy Health Emergency Department entrance on Burgundy Street.
Parking
The car park entrance on Studley Road remains open to pedestrians and cars. Look for the Mercy Hospital for Women lifts when you enter the car park. Parking is available on all levels of the car park throughout construction.
Car drop-off/pick-up area
The car drop-off/pick-up area is located next to the Mercy Hospital for Women lifts on level B2 of the car park, with entry via Burgundy Street. You can enter and exit the car park within 30 minutes for free. This allows time for quick drop-offs and pick-ups without needing to pay.
Lift access
You can access the hospital by using the Mercy Hospital for Women lifts in the car park. These lifts go to all six floors.
If you need to access the Austin Hospital for any reason, look for the orange lifts in the back left corner of the car park. These lifts go to all eight floors of Austin Tower.
Taxi rank
There is a taxi rank outside the B3 entrance on Studley Road.
Pedestrian access
There will be no pedestrian access at the Mercy Hospital for Women front entrance. Pedestrians can access the hospital via the car park lifts or by using an alternative entrance to the hospital.
Changes to Mercy Hospital for Women
The following changes will take place:
- The front entrance will be closed during the construction works. You can still move between Mercy Hospital and the Austin Hospital – please follow direction signage
- The main reception within the Mercy Hospital for Women front foyer will be relocated – please follow signage for the main reception.
Please visit our website regularly to find out about further changes as the project progresses.
Patient and visitor communications
Please check directional signage when you arrive at the hospital.
If you have any questions about where to go, please make your way to reception on level 1.
Construction impacts
While the Austin Hospital is upgrading its emergency department, you may hear construction noise within Mercy Hospital for Women. Construction is planned to take place between 7am and 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday, and there will be times when night works are required.
We understand these works will cause some disruption and inconvenience. Mercy Hospital for Women is working with the Victorian Health Building Authority and Austin Health to help minimise the noise and construction impacts and to ensure the safety of patients, staff and visitors.
Special advice for patients with a weakened immune system or lung conditions
If you have a chronic lung condition or a weakened immune system, please note that there may be dust within construction areas.
If you have these health conditions, we recommend you:
- Wear a mask when moving around the hospital
- If you have concerns, please talk to one of our staff.
More information
Click here to see a map that shows where you can enter the hospital during the construction.
What’s happening at the Austin Hospital?
The Victorian Government is investing $275 million to upgrade the Emergency Department for the Austin Hospital.
The project is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority in partnership with Austin Health.
Mercy Hospital for Women’s proximity to the Austin Hospital means staff, patients and visitors to may be impacted during the construction phase.
Mercy Hospital for Women will remain fully operational throughout the construction phase and will work with the Austin Hospital and the Victorian Health Building Authority to minimise impacts to staff, patients and visitors.
To find out more about the impacts on the construction to the Austin Hospital, visit https://www.austin.org.au/construction-work-at-austin-hospital/
Are any parts of the Mercy Hospital for Women closing during construction?
From September 2025 until 2028 the front entrance to both Mercy Hospital for Women and Austin Hospital, and the area outside the front entrance, will be closed to pedestrians and vehicles.
Mercy Hospital for Women will stay fully open during Austin Hospital’s Emergency Department upgrade, but construction will change how you enter and move around parts of the hospital.
What do I do if I am in labour or need emergency care?
Please come to the Mercy Health Emergency Department entrance on Burgundy Street.
Where can I get dropped off and picked up?
You can be dropped off/picked up at the area next to the Mercy Hospital for Women lifts on level B2 of the car park, with entry via Burgundy Street. You can enter and exit the carpark within 30 minutes for free. This allows time for quick drop-offs and pick-ups without needing to pay.
Can I still enter the carpark via Studley Road?
Yes, the car park entrance on Studley Road is open and can be accessed by both pedestrians and vehicles. Look for the Mercy Hospital for Women lifts when you enter the car park.
Where can I get a taxi?
There is a taxi rank outside the B3 entrance on Studley Road.
Is there still parking available at the hospital?
Parking is available on all levels of the car park throughout construction.
At what time of day will construction be happening?
Most construction is planned to take place between 7am and 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday. There will be times when night works are required.
Will you be able to hear construction noise within the hospital?
During construction there may be times you will hear construction noise but every effort will be made to minimise these impacts.
How will I know where to go within the hospital?
Signage will be put up to help people get where they need to go. Please remain alert around the construction site and follow any signage.
Who is in charge of construction?
The project is being delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority in partnership with Austin Health.