Midwifery

About Midwifery
The midwife is recognised as a responsible and accountable professional who works in partnership with women to give the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, to conduct births and to provide care for the newborn and the infant. The midwife has an important task in health counselling and education, not only for the woman, but also within the family and the community. This work should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood and may extend to women’s health, sexual or reproductive health and child care. A midwife may practise in any setting including the home, community, hospitals, clinics or health units. (Adopted by the International Confederation of Midwives Council meeting, 19th July, 2005, Brisbane, Australia).

A registered nurse must complete an accredited course in midwifery to be registered and/or legally licensed to practise as a midwife.

Courses in Midwifery

Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery D355
On successful completion of this combined course, students will be eligible for registration as a nurse in the Division 1 register of the Nurses Board of Victoria and for the additional qualification of midwife in the Division 1 register.

Graduate Diploma of Midwifery H676
Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Midwifery makes registered nurses eligible to apply to the Nurses Board of Victoria for the additional qualification of 'midwife' in the Division 1 register.

The course aims to produce graduates who have the knowledge, values, attitudes and competencies which reflect the philosophy, nature and scope of midwifery practice, and who meet the requirements as stated by the Nurses Board of Victoria or equivalent, for the additional qualification of ‘midwife’.

Master of Midwifery H776
The course aims to advance the knowledge, values, attitudes and competencies which reflect the philosophy, nature and scope of practice for graduates who are current midwifery practitioners.

Websites
Australian College of Midwives Incorporated (ACMI)
Information includes the ‘Code of Practice for Midwives’ and other documents related to practice.

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC)
Information includes the ‘National Competency Standards for the Midwife’.

International Confederation of Midwives (ICM)
Information includes meetings, congresses and publications.

Nurses Board of Victoria (NBV)
Information includes the ‘Code of Practice for Midwives’ and ‘National Competency Standards for the Midwife.