How do I become a Midwife?

Studying Midwifery in Australia

In Australia there are three ways to become a midwife. You can either:

Study a midwifery degree - the Bachelor of Midwifery (BMID). This is a three year, full-time undergraduate course.
Enrol for a degree in nursing and a postgraduate qualification in midwifery. A nursing degree usually takes three years to complete plus a one year, full-time Graduate Diploma in Midwifery. Or
Do an undergraduate double degree in midwifery and nursing. This is a four-year full-time course.

Bachelor degrees in Midwifery are the preferred avenue for education - being able to spend three years completely focused on midwifery, rather than a full nursing degree and only one year focused on midwifery.

The double Bachelor Degree in Nursing & Midwifery is a 4 year double degree that is only available from Latrobe University in Melbourne. It leads to registration as a Division 1 nurse and endorsement to practise as a midwife with the Nurses Board of Victoria. Graduates enter the workforce with both midwifery and nursing skills & knowledge allowing them to work across a broad range of areas in a variety of settings.

If you are still at school, your careers adviser should be able to provide fact sheets and information on a career in midwifery and point you towards places of study and their entry requirements. They should also be able to help you gain a further understanding of the personal qualities, skills and values needed to become a midwife and begin a successful and rewarding career.

You can also visit the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for each university's entry requirements - most universities will require you to have studied english, mathematics and at least one science subject as part of your higher school certificate.

UAC is a central university office that provides contact details, admission requirements, educational access schemes, information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, fee-paying courses (if offered), financial assistance, accommodation and student services and facilities.

Clinical placement within the courses depends on the universities and arrangements with health services and facilities, therefore it would be useful to contact the university where you wish to study and speak directly with a midwifery coordinator.

Scholarships and graduate year placements are also available to those considering becoming a midwife. More information is available from this site.

Universities Admissions Centre