Midwives have the knowledge and the skills to work with women during pre-conception, pregnancy, labour, birth and to provide care for the mother and baby.
The role of the midwife
Midwives practice within many models and settings to care for women and their families at a very significant time in their lives.
Midwives work with women and babies in hospitals, the community and residential settings. Midwives have a central role in working with women and families antenatally, during labour and postnatally, and in areas of sexual and reproductive health.
Midwives also work in education, management, research and policy roles.
Starting your career as a midwife
To become a midwife you must complete a Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) approved program of study. The approved programs include, and a Bachelor of Midwifery can be studied either as an undergraduate degree full time over three years, or for registered nurses, as a post-registration/professional entry degree over 2 years (or the equivalent part time).
A Graduate Diploma of Midwifery is available to registered nurses, to be studied over 12-18 months (or equivalent part time).
A Master of Midwifery (graduate entry) can be studied over two years (or part time equivalent).
To practice as a midwife, you must apply to and be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
Course and application information
Bachelor of Midwifery degrees are offered at two South Australian universities. Further information regarding courses and entry requirements can be found at:
Applications are processed through the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Further information is available at the SATAC website.
Graduate Diploma of Midwifery and Master of Midwifery (graduate entry) are currently only offered from interstate providers.
Advancing your midwifery career
SA Health provides midwives with a range of career-enriching development pathways, including scholarships for:
- Postgraduate clinical specialisation
- Rural health
- International study tours, through the Premier’s Nursing and Midwifery Scholarships.
SA Health also provides professional development opportunities for current and emerging nursing and midwifery leaders through the Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Programs.
Midwives are also able to hold dual registration (as registered nurse/midwives) on completion of a Bachelor of Nursing degree.
Midwifery prescribing
Some midwives are endorsed by the NMBA to prescribed scheduled medicines, ensuring that women receive the treatment they need in a timely manner.
Only midwives who hold the NMBA Endorsement for scheduled medicines for midwives are eligible to apply for prescribing credentialing.
The Midwifery Prescribing in Public Health Services in South Australia policy (PDF 318KB) has been developed to outline the process and governance for midwifery prescribing at SA Health.
Current midwife vacancies
To view all SA Health nursing and midwifery employment vacancies, visit iworkfor.sa.gov.au.