Griffith University
Graduate Certificate in Primary Maternity Care
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the philosophy and principles that form the foundation of primary maternity care.
Course overview
Advance your expertise in maternity care. Designed for experienced clinicians, this graduate certificate equips you with the knowledge and leadership skills to contribute to emerging, evidence-based models of care that place women and families at the centre of the maternity experience.
Please note: Successful completion of this program does not lead to eligibility to apply for registration as a midwife. Prospective students seeking registration should refer to the Bachelor of Midwifery (1354).
Highlights of studying the Graduate Certificate in Primary Maternity Care
- Explore innovative and sustainable models of maternity service design used across Australia and internationally.
- Learn from experts and researchers driving reform in maternity care and policy development.
- Strengthen skills to deliver culturally safe and equitable care in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Build the prescribing knowledge and skills required for midwives and meet the education requirement for NMBA endorsement for scheduled medicines (endorsement application required separately).
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
From $1,000 (CSP)
2nd November, 2026
What you will study
To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate in Primary Maternity Care, a student must earn 40 credit points. Each course is valued at 10 credit points.
Core courses
- Primary Maternity Care in Context
- Introduction to Working with First Peoples Communities
- Changing Childbirth: Service Design and Implementation
- Prescribing for Midwives or Transforming and Leading Healthcare
Entry requirements
To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Primary Maternity Care, you must have:
- A recognised bachelor's degree (or higher) in a suitable professional health practice discipline, such as midwifery, medicine, nursing, or social work.
The School of Nursing and Midwifery has instituted a Recognition of Prior Experience (RPE) procedure for registered midwives who do not have an undergraduate qualification. Applicants will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate eligibility requirements. The School of Nursing and Midwifery will determine eligibility for admission to the requested program based on the application, curriculum vitae and referee reports.
A higher qualification refers to a qualification at a higher level than a Bachelor qualification, which includes any of the following: a Bachelor Honours Degree, a Graduate Certificate, a Graduate Diploma, a Master's Degree, an MPhil or a PhD.
English language requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:
- A minimum overall band score of 7.0 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 7.0.
- A minimum score of 580 on TOEFL.
- An internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 92 (no score less than 22).
- No score less than 4 in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only).
- A minimum overall score of 185 (no score less than 176) on C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English).
- An overall score of 65 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 65.
English test results must be no older than two years.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Griffith University grants credit and recognition of prior learning which may relate to prior formal learning or prior informal and non-formal learning. The university's Credit Precedent Database allows you to find out what credit decisions have been made in the past. These precedents will give you an idea of what you can expect. Contact the university for more information.
Fees and CSP
Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $4,000 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $11,750 (domestic full-fee paying place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 40 credit points (normally four units) per year.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the courses you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
