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How to Become a Midwife: Australian Careers in Nurse Practitioner

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What is a Midwife?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

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What is a Midwife?

A midwife supports women through one of the most important times in their lives. Midwives provide care during pregnancy, labour, childbirth, and the weeks after birth. They work in hospitals, birthing centres, community health services, and home birth settings across Australia.

Midwives check the health of both mother and baby at every stage. They run prenatal visits, help manage labour, assist with delivery, and offer postnatal support. They also teach families about breastfeeding, newborn care, and recovery after birth.

Beyond direct care, midwives advocate for each woman’s choices. They work closely with doctors, nurses, and other health staff. They spot complications early and know when to refer to a specialist. This team approach keeps both mothers and babies safe.

To practise in Australia, midwives must hold a recognised qualification. They must also register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). The average yearly salary is around $96,000 (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025), with strong demand across the country.

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Career snapshots For Midwifes

Midwifery is a growing and in-demand profession in Australia. Around 19,400 midwives are employed nationally, with the health care sector as the primary employer (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). Future demand is rated as strong (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). The median age of midwives is 38 years, and 57% work part-time.

Full-time midwives work an average of 41 hours per week. Median full-time weekly pay is $2,114 (ABS, May 2025). Annual pay ranges from around $76,000 for entry-level roles to $115,000 or more for senior positions (Healthcare Australia, 2026). Shift work, including nights and weekends, is common in hospital settings.

The profession is almost entirely female at 100% (JSA, 2025). Most roles are permanent, with casual and part-time options widely available. Opportunities exist in cities and regional areas alike, with strong demand in remote and rural locations.

What will I do?

Midwives manage care for women at every stage of the maternity journey. Their work spans prenatal check-ups through to postnatal support. Here are the key tasks midwives carry out day to day.

  • Conduct prenatal assessments: check fetal growth, blood pressure, and run screening tests at each visit.
  • Provide education and guidance: explain what to expect during pregnancy and birth, and teach families about newborn care.
  • Support women during labour: offer physical and emotional support, monitor progress, and manage pain relief.
  • Assist with delivery: help with a safe birth, manage any complications, and provide immediate newborn care.
  • Deliver postnatal care: monitor recovery after birth, assist with breastfeeding, and address health concerns in the early weeks.
  • Detect and manage risk: spot warning signs such as pre-eclampsia or foetal distress, and refer to an obstetrician when needed.
  • Collaborate with the healthcare team: work with doctors, nurses, and allied health staff to deliver complete care.
  • Maintain clinical records: document assessments, care plans, and outcomes to support continuity of care.

What skills do I need?

Midwifery calls for a mix of clinical knowledge and strong people skills. You need to make quick decisions under pressure. You also need to sit with a family through a long, emotional night. The technical and the human go hand in hand in this role.

Strong communication sits at the core. Midwives explain complex information clearly to women and families. They also speak clearly with doctors, nurses, and other health staff. Empathy and emotional intelligence help build trust and keep families calm when things are tough.

Clinical skills are equally vital. Midwives must be skilled in assessment, monitoring, and clinical decision-making. Attention to detail can mean catching a complication early. Physical stamina matters too. Shifts are long and the work is physically hard. A commitment to ongoing learning keeps practice safe and up to date.

Skills/attributes

  • Clear verbal and written communication
  • Empathy and compassion
  • Clinical assessment and decision-making
  • Attention to detail
  • Physical stamina and resilience
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Knowledge of obstetric and neonatal care
  • Time management and organisation
  • Cultural sensitivity and inclusive practice
  • Commitment to continuing professional development
  • Emotional support and clear communication

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About the author

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.