Midwives work with women and their families during pregnancy and birth. They also provide postnatal care for the woman and infant.

Midwives identify pregnancies that are at risk of complications. They teach new and expectant mothers how to feed and care for their babies. They teach classes in antenatal care. There are times when midwives will need to give support on stillbirth, miscarriage, and neonatal abnormalities.

Midwifery is a different profession to nursing. Nurses who are not midwives may provide care to pregnant women or during birth in emergency circumstances when there is no midwife or doctor available. It is possible to study to become both a nurse and midwife.

Midwives work in hospitals and health services, in the community, and in people’s homes. To work in private practice and provide home birth services midwives must adhere to guidelines set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

You need excellent communication skills and the ability to remain calm in emotionally charged situations. Good observational skills, the ability to respond quickly, and a caring attitude are essential. You need to be good at planning, and be able to follow protocols in providing care.

Middle of the range salary in Australia: $71,600 before taxes
(Reference: www.joboutlook.gov.au)

10,000 job openings over 5 years in Australia (that’s about 2,000 a year)
(Reference: ABS Labour Force Survey, 2018.)

Midwives grew very strongly over the past 5 years in Australia and is expected to grow strongly over the next 5 years: from 19,900 in 2018 to 23,200 by 2023.
(Reference: ABS Labour Force Survey, 2018.)