Choosing a Career in Midwifery
What do midwives do?
Midwives work in a variety of areas, including caring for women while they are pregnant, during labour and birth, and for the first eight weeks after the baby is born. Some midwives work rostered shifts in hospitals, sometimes across the full spectrum of maternity care, or sometimes specialising in one area, for instance Special Care Nursery caring for babies who are premature or need some extra support. Other midwives work in caseload models, which means they see the same women throughout their pregnancy, birth and postnatal journey. Midwives are autonomous practitioners, and most well women do not need to see a doctor at any point, receiving all their care from midwives.
Why is midwifery a good career option?
Midwives are in demand and midwifery has excellent rates of employment. A recent study into the midwifery workforce Midwifery Futures: Building the Australian midwifery workforce found that Australia will need to increase the number of Midwifery Students by at least 20% if we are to meet future workforce need.
Why become a midwife?
Midwives are drawn to the profession by a desire to pursue a highly skilled and respected healthcare career that combines scientific expertise with compassionate, evidence-based care. The midwifery profession attracts individuals who are passionate about maternal and newborn health, holistic care, and advocacy. Midwifery is fuelled by a desire to support women through pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period while working within a philosophy that values woman-centred care, professional autonomy, and continuity of care. The profession offers the opportunity for deep personal and professional fulfilment, particularly through relationship-based models of care, professional independence, and the ability to make a meaningful impact on maternal and neonatal health outcomes well into the first 2000 days.
One of the strongest motivators for midwives is the opportunity to provide woman-centred care. Midwifery is built on a professional philosophy that prioritises birth as a significant physiological life event, the empowerment of women, and the importance of continuity of care. The ability to develop meaningful relationships with women throughout their childbirth journey is a significant attraction to the profession, reinforcing midwives’ sense of purpose and commitment. Midwifery is deeply connected to advocacy and social justice, attracting individuals committed to improving maternity care access and outcomes for diverse populations.
How do I become a midwife?
To become a midwife, you must complete a Bachelor of Midwifery or graduate entry midwifery program (Graduate Diploma or Masters Degree). There is also the option of a dual degree Bachelor of Nursing / Bachelor of Midwifery. You can find all degrees leading to registration as a midwife here. Most graduate entry programs require you to be a nurse or paramedic, so check the degree requirements.
Once a student, joining the Australian College of Midwives will keep you up to date with the latest industry news and research and provide access to the webinar library and eLearning courses which can supplement what you’re learning at university. ACM Membership is FREE for students. It’s also a great idea to attend events and local branch meetings with networking opportunities where you can start building your professional network and finding a mentor.
Is it better to be a nurse as well?
Direct entry Bachelor of Midwifery single degree graduates are employed across Australia in public and private health services and work in private practice. A full midwifery Bachelor degree provides a depth of midwifery knowledge and experience that may be difficult to match in a graduate entry or dual degree program. Dual qualification may, however, be required in some settings, particularly in rural and remote areas, so consider your intended career path when deciding on the right program for you.
My ATAR is not high enough to get into a Bachelor of Midwifery or I’m not a recent graduate.
Some universities offer courses which prepare you for university, or allow you to submit a portfolio or sit a Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT test). Another pathway is to commence another degree, for example nursing, grade well in the first units you undertake, and then apply to transfer to midwifery. If you look at the Bachelor of Midwifery program you may even find some of the same units are studied in the nursing degree and you could be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you transfer to midwifery. Contact the universities you are considering and ask about pathways into midwifery according to your specific circumstances.
Am I too young / too old / do I need to have children myself before becoming a midwife?
There are a wide range of amazing midwives across Australia. Some went into a midwifery degree straight out of school, some didn’t even think of midwifery as a career option until they turned 50. Many are inspired to become a midwife after having their own children, some never have children. None of these factors make someone a good midwife. Study, experience, passion and genuine care, coupled with an enthusiasm to be a life-long learner and an ongoing commitment to improving maternity care are what make a great midwife.
What career pathways are there in midwifery?
Midwives work in a variety of settings, with the majority working in public and private hospitals. Some midwives do further study to become endorsed, which means they can prescribe medications and order diagnostic tests within their scope of practice. Career options include:
-Private practice
-Midwifery Group Practice through a public health service / birth centre
-Shift work in public or private hospital
-Sexual and reproductive healthcare
-Education
-Research
-Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
-Air retrieval services
-Lactation consultant
-Perinatal mental health
-Childbirth education
-Policy / advocacy
-Maternal, child and family health (requires an additional qualification, and may not be an option in some states with a single midwifery qualification)
Is midwifery for me?
Before embarking on a career in midwifery, take the time to consider why you want to be a midwife and find out more about the profession. While there are a lot of wonderful things about midwifery, there are also aspects of the job that some find challenging that are worth considering in depth before applying. Some elements to consider include:
-Shift work (including night duty) or being on call for births 24 hours a day.
-Birthing settings can be high pressure, with heightened emotions and rapid clinical response necessary.
-You will be required to work with families experiencing bereavement, eg. stillbirth.
-Needles and body fluids are a part of the job.
-You will need to follow policies and practices that might at times conflict with your own beliefs.
If this list has made you even more convinced you are on the right track, then welcome to the midwifery family!
Endorsed Midwifery
What is an Endorsed Midwife and how do I become one?
An Endorsed Midwife is a Midwife with an additional postgraduate qualification for an Endorsement for Scheduled Medicines. Universities that offer this qualification are:
Griffith University, Edith Cowan University, Curtin University and La Trobe University. More details can be found here.
Endorsed Midwives have MBS access, can prescribe some medications and order diagnostic tests relating to pregnancy, birth and the neonatal period making them autonomous primary maternity care providers.
Endorsed midwives can work independently in private settings or in public hospitals. do not require a GP referral to work with women and can provide direct referral to other health professionals such as obstetricians and paediatricians as needed.
Do I need professional indemnity insurance?
Yes. It is illegal to practice midwifery in Australia without professional indemnity insurance (PII).
Most midwives meet this registration requirement by virtue of being employed as your employer holds vicarious professional indemnity cover.
However, if you are a self-employed midwife (in private practice), whatever the size of your caseload, you need to ensure you have professional indemnity insurance for your practice. For full information about the PII registration standard, go to the NMBA website.
What insurance products are available to self-employed midwives?
There is only one insurance product for Endorsed Midwives working in private practice. The Midwifery Practice Insurance Scheme (MPIS) is a Commonwealth-subsidised scheme for endorsed midwives and is available from MIGA.
The MPIS was expanded to include intrapartum care in the home (homebirth) from July 1 2025. The PII exemption remains in place until December 31st 2026 and midwives providing homebirth must transition to the new scheme before that date.
Scope of Practice
In Australia, regulation of midwifery practice rests solely with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). The NMBA establishes the standards, codes, guidelines, and decision-making frameworks that govern professional conduct, accountability, and safe practice.
Midwives practise within a comprehensive NMBA-regulated midwifery professional practice framework, which includes:
-NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice
-NMBA Code of Conduct for Midwives
-NMBA Safety and Quality Guidelines for Privately Practising Midwives
-the International Code of Ethics for Midwives developed by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and endorsed by the NMBA
The NMBA adopts the ICM International Definition of the Midwife, which situates professional scope within education aligned to the ICM Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice and the ICM Global Standards for Midwifery Education. This establishes a profession-wide baseline of competence and capability.
The NMBA explicitly states that scope of practice is not fixed, not exhaustively prescribed, and not determined by third parties. As outlined in the NMBA Fact Sheet Scope of Practice and Capabilities of Midwives, an individual midwife’s scope of practice is influenced by:
-the health needs of people receiving care
-the practice context and setting
-the midwife’s education, competence, confidence, and experience
-organisational, legislative, and professional requirements
The NMBA further recognises that as a midwife gains new skills and knowledge, their individual scope of practice may evolve.
The NMBA Decision-Making Framework for Nursing and Midwifery provides clear, structured guidance to support midwives in determining whether particular activities are within their individual scope of practice and how evolving practice is integrated safely and accountably.
From a regulatory perspective, the responsibility for determining individual scope of practice rests with the midwife, exercised within the NMBA framework and subject to professional, legal, and regulatory accountability.
International Midwives
Commonwealth Prac Payments for Students
Who is eligible to receive the Commonwealth Prac Payment?
To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place in an undergraduate or postgraduate midwifery degree. They must also meet specific requirements around placement hours and income thresholds.
How much is the payment and how often is it made?
Eligible students will receive $331.65 per week during their placement period
When can students apply for the payment?
Applications are open from 1 July 2025. Students will be able to apply through their university’s system or student portal.
What types of placements are covered?
Mandatory clinical placements required as part of midwifery education programs are covered. This includes both hospital-based and community placements, including continuity of care experiences.
What are the income requirements?
Students must either be receiving a Commonwealth income support payment (such as Austudy, Youth Allowance, or ABSTUDY), or meet income criteria based on recent work hours and earnings (generally less than $1,500 per week pre-tax, with an average of more than 15 work hours per week prior to placement).
Is this payment taxed or does it affect Centrelink payments?
The Department of Education has advised that the payment is not considered income for the purpose of most Centrelink assessments. However, students should check their individual circumstances with Services Australia.
Where can I find more information or apply?
Further details, including full eligibility criteria and application steps, will be available on the Department of Education website. A direct link will be added once available.
Further information
Commonwealth Prac Payment Frequently Asked Questions - Department of Education, Australian Government