Through a partnership approach, midwives provide woman centred, evidence based care for women and babies throughout the childbearing journey in a variety of settings. Midwives play an important role in promoting the health and wellbeing of women and their families by supporting the woman's childbearing choices and providing expertise around pregnancy, birth, postnatal and the newborn period. Midwives collaborate with other health professionals to continue midwifery care in complex situations.

The Bachelor of Midwifery at CDU is aligned with the International Confederation of Midwives' definition of the midwife. Students require a high level of motivation, determination and organisation to successfully negotiate study and clinical experience requirements with work and family commitments. The online nature of the course requires students to be disciplined and committed in their study habits. Students should consider whether their family life and work commitments will support their attendance at placement and time available for study.

Placement may occur during and outside of the semester and students may be required to travel away from home to complete up to 6 weeks of placement at their own expense. Students need to be aware that:

• placement is arranged by Charles Darwin University and dates are determined by the availability of places at the health service facility, therefore dates for placement may not be negotiable
• students are required to attend the arranged placement to progress in the course
• non-attendance at placement may only occur in extenuating circumstances. Childcare and work commitments are not extenuating circumstances for the purpose of placement
• placements may include morning, evening, night duty, on-call and shifts on weekends and public holidays

There are inherent requirements for midwifery. Inherent requirements are the essential abilities, knowledge and skills to achieve course learning outcomes and to be able to safely practise as a midwife. Midwifery requires a degree of physical strength and mobility, endurance, communication and cognitive abilities for safe practice. For more detailed information see Inherent Requirements for Midwifery.

Reporting obligations: Under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, CDU is required to register midwifery students with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and to notify AHPRA if a student has or develops a health impairment that may place the public at substantial risk of harm. Students have obligations under the National Law and are expected to understand their obligations prior to enrolling. More information available at NMBA Student Registration.

This is a quota course with more applicants than places available, eligible applicants will be ranked in order of academic merit.

Graduating from this course may lead to career opportunities in roles including midwifery group practice, homebirth and working in public or private hospitals.

Professional recognition

Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) to practice as a midwife in all Australian States or Territories and some overseas countries.