Midwifery is one of the health industry’s most rewarding careers – after all, you’re playing an integral role in the beginning of new life.

It’s also an increasingly in-demand profession, as the importance of continuity of midwife care becomes more understood, as well as the significant impact midwives have on both the physical and mental health outcomes of new mothers.

Once upon a time, it was essential to become a qualified nurse, before you could consider a career in midwifery, however this is no longer the case.

You can do a Bachelor of Midwifery (BMid) and become a midwife without studying any other kind of nursing.

The Bachelor of Midwifery is usually a three year, full-time university degree course. However, there are different study options you can choose from. 

For example, some universities offer an accelerated course which means you would complete your degree in two and a half years, instead of the usual three.

If you’re unable to study midwifery full-time, then you may be able to study part-time.  If you live in a rural area you may even be able to study for your midwifery qualification through distance learning.

With an additional year of full-time learning, you can exit with a Bachelor of Midwifery with Honours.

If you are already a registered nurse who wants to become a midwife, then you can complete a one year postgraduate degree in midwifery. 

The Postgraduate Diploma of Midwifery lets registered nurses work in a maternity unit while studying for their diploma through distance education. 

This is a great way for all students, whether they live in the city or the country, to gain practical experience as a midwife while studying the theoretical component.

What qualifications do you need to study midwifery?

You’ll need to have completed Year 12, unless you’re a mature age student, in which case entry requirements will depend on your circumstances and the university you apply to.

You will also need to have completed a senior first aid certificate which has a CPR component in it before starting your undergraduate degree. 

You’ll be tested for blood-borne diseases, such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. If your results are positive, you won’t be able to undertake the clinical components of the course and therefore, won’t be eligible to be registered as a midwife.

Before commencing your degree, you will also have to undergo a Police Check. This is necessary for the clinical portion of the program.

Once you have completed your Bachelor degree and have registered with the Australian College of Midwives, you’ll be able to work in a variety of settings; public or private hospitals, community hospitals, neonatal care units, remote and rural health, research, teaching and even aid organisations.

As you can see, there are multiple study options available in the field of midwifery. Whether you want to study full-time, use the accelerated option and finish your course earlier, or wish to study part-time, there’s sure to be a solution that fits your study needs.

Ready to study? Search for midwifery courses online now!