Career Pathways

Is Midwifery for me?

Before you apply to be a midwifery student, it is advisable that you research who midwives are, what their roles are, how and where they work, and how midwifery fits into the bigger picture of healthcare provision in Australia. Make a point of talking to midwives who work in your community, including midwives who work at your local hospital, as well as private practising midwives.

It will also be useful for you to talk to women who have just had babies to get their perspectives on maternity and midwifery services, as well as consumer groups such as Maternity Choices Australia and Homebirth Australia.

Another tip is to join your local branch of the Australian College of Midwives and go to the branch meetings. That will help you network with local midwives as well as become familiar with local and national issues. Membership of the ACM will also keep you up to date with events and the latest research via the Australian Midwifery News and Women and Birth Journal.  You can also visit the Australian College of Midwives’ Facebook page.

Useful links:

• Australian Catholic University
• Charles Sturt University
• Central Queensland University
• Curtin University
• Deakin University
• Edith Cowan University
• Federation University Australia
• Flinders University
• Griffith University
• James Cook University
• La Trobe University
• Monash University
• Newcastle University
• Southern Cross University
• University of Canberra
• University of Newcastle
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Queensland
• University of South Australia
• University of Southern Queensland
• University of the Sunshine Coast
• University of Tasmania
• University of Technology Sydney
• University of the Sunshine Coast
• Victoria University
• Western Sydney University

Endorsement: what does it mean for my practice?

Approved programs of study covering prescribing and diagnostic requirements can be found on the AHPRA website.

As an endorsed midwife, you may access the Midwifery Practice Insurance Scheme (MPIS), and your services may be covered through certain private health funds, including home birth services. 

You may also apply to Medicare for a Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme (PBS) number, which will allow you to provide Medicare rebateable services, including prescribing PBS approved medications for mothers and babies, prescribing medicines that have been endorsed by the NMBA, and ordering ultrasound scans and some pathology tests that may be required during pregnancy and early parenting, and can refer women and babies directly to medical practitioners

(comprehensive information about midwives and Medicare can be consulted here). 

Information about endorsement for scheduled medicines and how to apply can be found on the NMBA website.

To provide Medicare rebateable services an eligible midwife is required to:

• have a Medicare provider number (see below how to apply for one);
• be working in private practice; and
• have professional indemnity insurance.

What is a 'collaborative arrangement'?

Collaborative Arrangements used to be required for an endorsed midwife to provide Medicare rebateable services. Legislation to roll back the requirement for a Collaborative Arrangement was introduced to parliament at the end of 2024 and a Collaborative Arrangement was no longer required from December 1st 2024.

What about Medicare rebates and home birth?

Home birth services can be provided by any midwife, but there are no Medicare rebates for birth at home, even if you have a MPN. However, if the woman has private health insurance, she may be able to claim a benefit for the birth through her private health fund. Antenatal and postnatal care are eligible for a Medicare rebate.

Comprehensive information about midwives and Medicare can be found here.

Most midwives meet this registration requirement by virtue of being employed. If you are an employed midwife, you do not need to purchase insurance for the midwifery care you provide as an employee, as long as your employer holds a 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.

If you practise midwifery without appropriate PII arrangements in place, this is an offence in subsection 129(1) of the National Law and you are liable to action taken by the NMBA. For full information about the PII registration standard, go to the NMBA website.

What insurance products are available to self-employed midwives?

There is one insurance product for privately practising midwives (PPMs). In order to access this product, PPMs must have NMBA Endorsement for scheduled medicines for midwives (previously referred to as eligibility). Once PPMs are endorsed they may access the Midwifery Practice Insurance Scheme (MPIS).

The MPIS is a Commonwealth-subsidised scheme for endorsed midwives and is available from MIGA. The MPIS covers pregnancy and postnatal care in any setting, and labour and birth care in a hospital or birth unit.

Important Note: We are NOT AUTHORISED to advise you on your professional indemnity insurance needs or arrange any insurance for you, nor do we endorse any policy terms. We strongly recommend that you seek advice by contacting MIGA directly.

An exemption for intrapartum care provided at home

The exemption for homebirth has now been extended one final time until 31st December 2026 while the agreed insurance solution is implemented. 

If you are an endorsed midwife who provides intrapartum care at home, you will not be insured by MIGA and thus fall under the Exemption legislation until the end of 2025 when the MPIS scheme will be expanded to include intrapartum care at home.

The exemption is not a separate category of registration. Any PPM who meets the requirements set out in section 284 of the 2010 National Law is covered by the exemption.

Who is entitled to the exemption?

The exemption is not a separate category of registration.  Any PPM who meets the requirements set out in section 284 of the 2010 National Law is covered by the exemption.

How do I apply for an exemption?

If you are a PPM, you do not need to apply for the exemption.  It will automatically extend to any midwife providing intrapartum labour and birth care at home. However, there are a few things you must do if you want the exemption to apply to your practice.

What must I do if I want to provide intrapartum midwifery services at home?

Once you make the decision to provide intrapartum care to a woman planning a birth at home in your home state or territory without insurance, you will need to do three key things and have proof that these things are being done in case of audit by the NMBA

• Gain the informed consent of the woman identifying that she understands the midwife does not hold insurance for intrapartum midwifery care at home;

The National Law says "informed consent means written consent given by a woman after she has been given a written statement by a midwife that includes

a. a statement that appropriate professional indemnity insurance arrangements will not be in force in relation to the private midwife's practise of midwifery; and
b. any other information required by the National Board."

• Submit data about the woman's care to the midwife's relevant state/territory perinatal data agency, and
• Be able to demonstrate, if audited, that you are working in accordance with any safety and quality requirements as required by the Nursing and Midwifery Board. This includes the Safety and Quality Guidelines for Privately Practising Midwives.

Registration

To become registered as a midwife in Australia, you need to lodge an application with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) which is the body that regulates midwifery.

Visas

To be able to work in Australia, you will need a visa. Information about visas can be found on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website.

Some visas require that you go through a skills assessment. DIAC will inform you if a skills assessment is required as part of your visa application. Skills assessments for midwives are carried out by an organisation called the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC). ANMAC has an extensive FAQ web page which will probably answer many of your questions.

English language requirements

You are exempt from language testing if you are a midwife registered with the New Zealand Midwifery Council and applying for Australian registration under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement.

To register as a midwife in Australia, you are required to provide evidence that you meet English language proficiency requirements. AHPRA provide a web page that may assist you with understanding the requirements.