Table 1.

Intensive Care Unit Levels in Australia

Level	Definition
Level 3	Must be capable of providing complex, multisystem life support for an indefinite period; must be a tertiary referral centre for patients in need of intensive care services and have extensive back-up laboratory and clinical service facilities to support the tertiary referral role. Must also be capable of providing mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal renal support services and invasive cardiovascular monitoring for an indefinite period, or care of a similar nature.
Level 2	Must be capable of providing complex, multisystem life support, and be capable of providing mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal renal support services and invasive cardiac monitoring for a period of at least several days, or longer periods in remote areas, or care of a similar nature.
Level 1	Must be capable of providing basic multisystem life support usually for less than 24 hours. Must also be capable of providing mechanical ventilation and simple invasive cardiac monitoring for a period of at least several hours, or care of a similar nature.