To become a midwife in Australia, there are various avenues of study. The first and most popular is to complete a Bachelor of Midwifery. This is a three year university degree and is available in most states throughout Australia. In this undergraduate degree, students will spend almost 50% of their time in clinical placements for hands-on experience. There is also a big focus on the continuity of care, ensuring women are cared for properly from the beginning to the end of their pregnancy and afterwards. With this qualification, you will be able to work as a qualified midwife, but not as a registered nurse.
Being a midwife can be a satisfying occupation where you can help expectant mothers through the sacred process of bringing new life into this world. For people who are called to this profession, there are a variety of midwife jobs Australia can offer. There are opportunities in rural areas and in the heart of the city. There are positions at big hospitals or at smaller clinics, which will sometimes require you to travel often over a set period of time. There are opportunities for practicing midwives as well as for those who want to go into education and training, supporting other midwives by mentoring and training them during their studies.
For students who already have completed a Bachelors of Nursing and who want to specialize in midwifery, there are courses that can be completed in 12 to 18 months. This postgraduate diploma gives registered nurses a double degree, where they can work either as a nurse or as a midwife. Nurses can study the midwifery diploma long distance while still working in clinics to get the balance between theoretical and practical experience.
For midwifes who are interested in relocating internationally by finding a midwife job, Australia is a welcoming country with ample opportunities. To step into this world, you need to be a registered midwife and hold a current practicing certificate that you obtained in your country. You will also need to have a high level of written and verbal English skills and a well-written CV with contactable references. Once you pass the interviews and get selected, the company will probably offer you a sponsored work visa.
For midwifes coming in to Australia, it is advisable to apply for licensing and registration before making the move to Australia, as the application could take some time after you have received your visa. For those who are interested in exploring Australia, midwifery could be a perfect job as quite often you will be placed in a position that will take you all over the country traveling around as you use your skills to help expectant mothers.
