Midwife
What does a midwife do?
A midwife cares for women and their babies through pregnancy, labour, birth and the weeks after birth. They provide check-ups and advice during pregnancy, support and manage labour and birth, and care for both mother and newborn afterwards. Midwives watch closely for anything unusual and refer to obstetricians or other health professionals when needed. They also provide education and support on parenting, breastfeeding and newborn care. Their scope centres on maternity and newborn care, which is different from the broader role of an advanced-practice nurse.
Midwives work in public and private maternity hospitals, birth suites, antenatal and postnatal wards, neonatal units, and community and primary health services. Some work in continuity-of-care or home-visiting models. The work is hands-on, personal and often deeply rewarding.
Is a career as a midwife right for me?
A career in midwifery may suit you if you are caring, calm under pressure, and want to support women and families through one of life's biggest moments. You need strong clinical and communication skills, resilience, and respect for each woman's choices.
Desirable skills and attributes of a midwife include:
An ability to manage change positively and perform effectively in changing environments.
Clear written and verbal communication skills, supported by strong interpersonal skills.
The ability to build positive relationships and support others effectively.
Problem-solving and decision-making
The ability to identify issues, evaluate options, and make informed decisions.
The ability to work effectively in demanding, practical, or physically challenging environments.
The ability to take initiative, demonstrate personal drive, and maintain a professional attitude.
How to become a midwife
If you are exploring how to become a midwife, it helps to know that midwives must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, after completing an approved midwifery qualification. There are two main routes – a direct-entry Bachelor of Midwifery, or a graduate-entry midwifery qualification for people who are already registered nurses. At UniSQ, the pathway is graduate-entry, so you first become a registered nurse, then complete the Graduate Diploma of Midwifery.
Here is a common path to becoming a midwife:
- Complete an approved nursing degree, such as UniSQ's Bachelor of Nursing, and register as a registered nurse with the NMBA through AHPRA.
- Complete an approved graduate-entry midwifery qualification, such as UniSQ's Graduate Diploma of Midwifery.
- Complete the required clinical placement and continuity-of-care experience.
- Apply for registration as a midwife with the NMBA through AHPRA.
- Maintain registration and continuing professional development throughout your career.
Accreditation and qualifications
Midwives must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) through AHPRA, after completing an approved midwifery qualification.
UniSQ does not offer a direct-entry Bachelor of Midwifery, however, our Graduate Diploma of Midwifery is a graduate-entry qualification for registered nurses, accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC); on completion, graduates can apply for registration as a midwife.
How long does it take to become a midwife?
The time it takes to become a midwife depends on the qualification pathway you choose. At UniSQ, midwifery is a graduate-entry qualification. This means you'll first complete a Bachelor of Nursing (typically three years of full-time study) and register as a nurse. You can then undertake the Graduate Diploma of Midwifery, which takes around one year to complete and includes clinical placements and continuity-of-care experiences.
At other universities, a direct-entry Bachelor of Midwifery usually takes around three years of full-time study. Whichever pathway you take, you'll need to complete an NMBA-approved qualification before applying for registration as a midwife in Australia.
Start your journey with UniSQ
Launch your midwife career with a UniSQ midwifery degree and gain the clinical skills and professional experience needed for a rewarding career supporting women and families through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.
Responsibilities and work settings
Providing antenatal check-ups and monitoring during pregnancy.
Supporting and managing labour and birth.
Caring for mother and newborn after birth.
Recognising complications and referring appropriately.
Providing education on parenting, breastfeeding and newborn care.
Community health organisations
Government agencies, departments and councils
Non-profit, charity and community organisations
Public hospitals and health services
Private healthcare providers, clinics and practices
Universities and higher education providers
Midwife FAQs
Related careers
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