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How to become a midwife

Discover more about this rewarding and fulfilling profession.
A close-up of an infant's tiny feet held gently by an adult's hands.

How to become a midwife in Australia

In Australia, skilled midwives are highly sought after, with Seek.com.au reporting a projected job growth of 16.2% in the field of midwifery from 2020 to 2025. With the continued rise in industry demand, it’s an ideal time to take the plunge if you have been thinking of a career in midwifery. This rewarding and challenging career will allow you to make a significant and lasting impact in the lives of women and their families. Think this may be your next career move?

Before making any big life decisions, it’s always a good idea to do your research and arm yourself with information. So keep reading while we explore the ins and outs of exactly how to become a midwife.

First off, let’s look at the tasks and duties of a midwife. What does a midwife do? An essential role in the healthcare system, a midwife is a registered health professional who provides antenatal care and support to women during pregnancy, and assists in the labour and birth process. They also provide important postnatal care - conducting infant health checks, providing breastfeeding assistance, as well as giving overall support and advice around the care of a newborn.

Midwifery can be an extremely rewarding and fulfilling profession, allowing you to play an integral role in bringing new life into the word. If you are an empathetic, caring person, a good communicator, and able to work effectively in high-intensity situations, a career in midwifery may be the perfect choice for you. 

With exciting career opportunities in clinics, maternity hospitals or primary care settings, family planning clinics, neonatal units and community health, there is no better time to discover how to become a midwife. 

If you do happen to have any other questions about how to become a midwife, reach out and chat with us! Book a free appointment with our Degree Advisors and we’ll help you get on your way to achieving your study goals.

How to become a midwife FAQ's
How much does a midwife earn in Australia?
When embarking on a new career path, it's natural that one of the main questions you’ll have will be around your earning potential. So, exactly how much does a midwife earn in Australia? According to seek.com.au, the average annual salary for a midwife can range anywhere from $80 000 to $95 000. However, this figure can vary depending on the specific role and workplace setting. Additional factors, such as whether you are working in a remote area, can also impact your earning potential.
Can you become a midwife with a nursing degree?
If you have a nursing degree  and want to transition to a career in midwifery, you will first need to complete an appropriate midwifery course to gain the relevant qualification, such as UniSQ’s Bachelor of Midwifery (Graduate Entry). This two-year qualification will equip you with the expertise to kick-start your career as a midwife. You’ll graduate with the skills to work independently or with other members of the inter-professional team, and be prepared to work in a variety of maternity settings and models of care. You’ll also gain over 1200 hours of clinical experience in birth suits, antenatal, postnatal, neonatal and rural settings throughout your study. This includes providing continuity of care for a minimum of 10 women throughout their pregnancies. 
Can you become a midwife without a nursing degree?
If you aren’t already a registered nurse and are wanting to pursue a career as a midwife, some learning institutions offer a Bachelor of Midwifery, which you can generally complete in three years.
How long does it take to become a midwife?

The length of time it takes to become a midwife will vary depending on the individual path you take. As we explored above, if you are already a registered nurse, you will only need to complete an additional two years of study (or the part-time equivalent) to become a midwife with UniSQ’s Bachelor of Midwifery (Graduate Entry).

Our Bachelor of Midwifery (Graduate Entry) is offered externally, meaning you’ll be able to access learning resources, forums, assessment information and study support from wherever you are. You’ll just need to attend your clinical placements in person and come on-campus during residential schools. Study on your own terms, in your own time!

If you aren’t a registered nurse, you will need to complete a Bachelor of Nursing and become a registered nurse before enrolling in our Bachelor of Midwifery (Graduate Entry) Otherwise, some learning institutions offer a 3-year Bachelor of Midwifery.

What qualifications are needed to become a midwife?
To become a midwife you will need to obtain a bachelor of midwifery qualification. Before you can begin practising as a registered midwife, you will also need to be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
How to apply for a midwifery degree at UniSQ

Wanting to take the next step and apply for midwifery studies with UniSQ? Before applying for UniSQ’s Bachelor of Midwifery (Graduate Entry) you will first need to check that you meet the following entry requirements:

  • Be a Registered Nurse (Division 1) with a bachelor degree in nursing, or equivalent. (A certified copy of your Bachelor of Nursing degree, or equivalent will need to be provided.)
  • Provide evidence of current registration as a nurse with a Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) certificate.
  • Interview with Midwifery degree representative/s and a service provider representative to demonstrate ability to commit to the requirements of the degree.

Once you have satisfied the required entry requirements, you will need to complete your online application via QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre)