Pathway to become a Midwife in Australia

As a registered nurse you maybe looking for options to specialise in a particular field. A midwife and a nurse are two popular positions that share some responsibilities, but also differ in many ways.

A midwife is a healthcare professional who helps women through the labour and delivery process. A nurse is a healthcare professional who works to assist doctors in treating patients. While a nurse can work in multiple medical areas, midwives work solely in labour and delivery.

"A midwife's scope of practice includes: providing health support, care and advice to women before conception, and during pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period. promoting natural childbirth and identifying complications for the woman and her baby."

To become a midwife in Australia, you will need to:

• Complete a bachelor degree in midwifery accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)
• Alternatively, students who have already completed a qualification in nursing can complete a postgraduate qualification such as Graduate Diploma of Midwifery or Master of Midwifery Practice. These courses typically take 12–18 months of full-time study.
• Register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board (AHPRA) to practice in Australia. Registration must be renewed annually by demonstrating the mandatory continuing professional development (CPD), professional indemnity insurance, and recency of practice.

If you are currently seeking new opportunities for midwifery start by browsing through the opportunities that are available via the Healthcarelink job board here.