University of Notre Dame Australia
Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Midwifery
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
A focused, practice-oriented program that enhances midwives’ knowledge of current issues, innovations and models of care in today’s evolving maternity landscape.
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Midwifery program is designed for midwives re-entering the workforce or seeking to update their knowledge and skills. Students will be orientated to the midwife’s professional obligations in meeting all Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia codes, standards and guidelines. They will also meet their legal and ethical obligations as a registered midwife. There will be a focus on critical thinking, clinical reasoning, reflection and the use of current evidence and research to make sound clinical judgments to practice safely in maternity environments. Students will explore current and emerging national and regional health priorities, health research, health policy and reform.
The Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Midwifery includes a minimum of 360 hours of professional workplace experience over 10 10-week duration. Upon successful completion, the student can apply for re-registration as a Registered Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
This is a 14-week-long blended program that includes intensive on-campus study blocks and immersive online learning experiences. It enables midwifery students to undertake this program in metropolitan, regional, or rural locations.
Key facts
What you will study
The Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Midwifery requires the completion of the following courses equivalent to 100 units of credit. Unless otherwise indicated, each course is valued at 25 units of credit.
Compulsory courses
- Contemporary Midwifery Practice (Theory)
- Contemporary Midwifery Skills (Theory)
- Professional Midwifery Practice (Practice) (50 units of credit)
Entry requirements
- Be midwives previously registered in Australia
- Provide an approved NMBA registration for re-entry to the practice program. The registration must be valid for the duration of the program and an additional four weeks following completion.
- Meet the inherent requirements for midwifery professional practice.
- Meet the English requirements for this program: IELTS Academic score of 7.0.
- Have a valid criminal record check and apply for a Working with Children Check (WA & NSW).
- Provide a record of immunisation and evidence that they meet the NSW Ministry of Health or WA Department of Health.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Advanced Standing is a way the university recognises the studies you've already completed. Instead of repeating subjects, you get credit for them, saving you time and money. You might be eligible for this credit if you've completed studies at any university (even here at Notre Dame), including single subjects. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Midwifery, graduates will be able to:
- Practice as competent professionals and industry-ready graduates who can critically appraise and problem-solve in practical and creative ways, enabling them to practice in diverse midwifery settings.
- Reflect on knowledge and belief to share practice and foster self-regulated behaviours to implement life-long learning, which will assist in the professional growth and development of self and others.
- Be able to think critically, reason and use judgment in all aspects of midwifery practice.
- Critically review emerging local, national and global maternity care priorities and apply midwifery evidence-based knowledge to provide holistic and woman-centred care across the childbirth continuum, to pregnant and childbearing women and their families, focusing on continually improving the quality and delivery of care.
- Integrate knowledge, humanistic values, clinical skills and reflective thinking to an advanced level of critical analysis to provide safe, culturally congruent, equitable, high-quality midwifery care for women, babies, families and communities.
- Meet the National Competency Standards for the Midwife and gain re-registration as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated total fee in 2025: $12,400 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The estimated total fee is calculated based on a full-time study load of 100 units of credit.
A student’s annual fee may vary depending on:
- The number of courses studied.
- Choice of programs.
- 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.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
