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Course Overview
The Bachelor of Midwifery is a comprehensive three-year entry-to-practice program designed to prepare students for professional practice as registered midwives. Students may complete the program over three years full-time, or over five years with the first four years part-time and the final year full-time. Upon successful completion, students will be competent and reflective practitioners equipped with the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours essential for contemporary midwifery practice.
Grounded in a woman-centred philosophy, the program emphasises continuity of care, cultural safety, and collaborative practice across a diverse range of settings. While engaging with core midwifery concepts, including the care of women, infants, and their families during pregnancy, labour, birth, and the postpartum period, students also explore broader issues such as reproductive rights, primary health care, professional ethics, and the social determinants of health. The program places a strong emphasis on developing effective communication and collaboration skills within intra- and interprofessional teams to facilitate safe and inclusive care. Students are supported to use innovative information technologies and digital health tools, in accordance with professional frameworks, to enhance practice and ensure safe, quality medication management aligned with relevant national standards.
Clinical learning is a key component of the program. Students are required to undertake 960 hours of Midwifery Professional Experience (MPE) placements in a variety of maternity care settings. In addition, students engage with a minimum of ten women throughout their pregnancy, labour, birth, and postpartum care journey. These Continuity of Care Experiences (COCE) involve recruiting women during pregnancy, attending antenatal appointments, being present for labour and birth, and continuing postpartum follow-up for up to six weeks after birth. To be eligible to attend MPE placement, students must meet specific mandatory health, safety, and security requirements. Each term, students are required to attend residential schools and participate in simulated learning activities in a Clinical Learning Centre at a CQUniversity accredited delivery site.
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to apply for registration as a midwife with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), prepared to lead and contribute to safe, effective, and culturally responsive midwifery care.
Career Information
Upon graduation, registered midwives can pursue diverse career opportunities in a range of settings, including public and private hospitals, independent midwifery practice, birth centres, community health services, and midwifery group practices. They may also work in education, research, policy, or leadership roles, and with further experience, may specialise in areas such as perinatal mental health, lactation consultancy, or maternal and child health.
| Duration | 3 years full-time or 5 years part-time |
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| Credit Points that Must be Earned | 144 |
| Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
| Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
| Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
| Qualification (post nominal) | BMid |
| AQF Level | Level 7: Bachelor Degree |
Admission Codes
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Not Applicable |
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
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Domestic Availability
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Term 1 - 2027
International Availability
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Term 1 - 2027
| Rank Threshold | SR 80 | ATAR 80 |
The English language proficiency requirements listed below are those specified by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia as required for initial registration.
As an applicant for the Bachelor of Midwifery, you are required to demonstrate your English language competency in one of the following ways:
- English is your primary language and you have satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education, taught and assessed solely in English - including at least two years completed between grades 7 and 12 - in a recognised country. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) defines recognised countries; however, this list is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, visit the NMBA's official website.
- hold current unconditional registration as an Enrolled Nurse (Division 2), or a Registered Nurse (Division 1), with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:
- an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 7.0 overall with a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the three components: listening, reading and speaking; and minimum score of 6.5 in the one component: writing.
- an Occupational English Test with a minimum score of B in each of the three components: listening, reading and speaking; and minimum score of C+ in the one component: writing.
- a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) with a minimum overall score of 66 with a minimum score of 66 in each of the three communicative skills: listening, reading and speaking; and minimum score of 56 in one communicative skill: writing.
- a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT with a minimum score of 94 and a minimum score of 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 24 for writing, and 23 for speaking.
- a Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (C1) or a Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (C2) with a minimum overall score of 185 in each of the three components: listening, reading and speaking; and a minimum score of 176 in the one component of: writing.
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between the final examination date and the date of commencement of the study.
Each application will be assessed individually.
Midwifery students’ English language skills are directly aligned with the requirements of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
Awards and Accreditation
| Interim Awards | Not applicable |
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| Exit Awards | Not applicable |
| Accreditation |
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Residential School Requirements
| Compulsory Residential School | Compulsory residential schools will be required for the following six units: Professional Midwifery Practice 1, Professional Midwifery Practice 2, Professional Midwifery Practice 3, Professional Midwifery Practice 4, Professional Midwifery Practice 5, and Professional Midwifery Practice 6. |
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| Click here to view all Residential Schools | |
Practicum/Work Placement
| MDWF11003 - MPE 160 hours, plus continuity of care experiences. A formative AMSAT is to be completed midway through the MPE. This will enable students who are facing clinical challenges to be identified and supported early. A summative AMSAT is to be completed towards the end of the MPE. This is a requirement for the ANMAC Midwife Accreditation Standards and will form part of the student's MPE Portfolio. |
| MDWF12008 - MPE 160 hours, plus continuity of care experiences. A formative AMSAT is to be completed midway through the MPE. This will enable students who are facing clinical challenges to be identified and supported early. A summative AMSAT is to be completed towards the end of the MPE. This is a requirement for the ANMAC Midwife Accreditation Standards and will form part of the student's MPE Portfolio. |
| MDWF12009 - MPE 160 hours, plus continuity of care experiences. A formative AMSAT is to be completed midway through the MPE. This will enable students who are facing clinical challenges to be identified and supported early. A summative AMSAT is to be completed towards the end of the MPE. This is a requirement for the ANMAC Midwife Accreditation Standards and will form part of the student's MPE Portfolio. |
| MDWF13010 - MPE 240 hours, plus continuity of care experiences. A formative AMSAT is to be completed midway through the MPE. This will enable students who are facing clinical challenges to be identified and supported early. A summative AMSAT is to be completed towards the end of the MPE. This is a requirement for the ANMAC Midwife Accreditation Standards and will form part of the student's MPE Portfolio. |
| MDWF13011 - MPE 240 hours, plus continuity of care experiences. A formative AMSAT is to be completed midway through the MPE. This will enable students who are facing clinical challenges to be identified and supported early. A summative AMSAT is to be completed towards the end of the MPE. This is a requirement for the ANMAC Midwife Accreditation Standards and will form part of the student's MPE Portfolio. |
Predicted Enrolments
| Year | Number of Students |
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| First Year | 75 |
| Second year | 75 |
| Third Year | 75 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
When admitted to the Bachelor of Midwifery, if a student is unable to meet the inherent requirements of the course, they may be deemed unable to meet the course or unit requirements and may have their enrolment cancelled in accordance with the Admission (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. This also applies where a student demonstrates unprofessional conduct that results in a work-integrated learning provider withdrawing the student’s opportunity to undertake placement.
Examples are:
- Complying with academic and non-academic policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Conduct Policy and Procedure, Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure, Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework), and the Work-Integrated Learning Policy and Procedure.
- Complying with local, state, and national health policies and guidelines when undertaking clinical placements.
- Treating personal information obtained in classroom and clinical settings as private and confidential.
- Respecting an individual's/group's diversity by demonstrating sensitivity to religious cultural and individual differences.
- Demonstrating an ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues and take responsibility for ensuring awareness of ethical behaviour.
Examples are:
- Being receptive and responding appropriately to different viewpoints, to constructive feedback and to direction from academics and clinical staff.
- Interacting positively and effectively in groups with other students while attending activities related to the course.
- Contributing to on-line discussion forums and tutorials with peers and academics whilst using respectful language and tone.
- Coping with your own emotions, responses and behaviour effectively when dealing with challenging situations in the clinical setting.
Examples are:
- Complying with the requirement for student registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
- Adhering to the policies, procedures, guidelines and statements specific to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
- Complying with mandatory reporting requirements.
- Understanding and adhering to professional policy around the use of social media.
- Undertaking midwifery care within the scope of practice relevant to the required knowledge and level of progression through your course of study.
- Undertaking midwifery care under the supervision of an appropriately registered health professional, such as a registered midwife or medical officer.
- Understanding and adhering to legal requirements associated with the administration of medications.
Examples are:
- Actively participating in discussion activities related to the course.
- Using language that is appropriate to the context of the individual or group.
- Responding appropriately to a care request in the clinical environment.
- Providing the health care team with verbal handover reports related to care of the woman and family.
- Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues of others and respond appropriately during activities related to the course.
- Incorporating the use of effective non-verbal cues such as eye contact when communicating with academics and peers during activities related to the course building positive learning relationships.
- Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues of the health care team, peers, patients, and others and respond appropriately during clinical placement.
- Accessing a computer for your studies.
- Regularly accessing the Internet for research, and email for communication with peers and lecturers.
- Analysing, manipulating and displaying scientific information.
Examples are:
- Conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items.
- Completing academic learning activities and assessment tasks, and performing clinical skills within reasonable set timeframes.
- Applying knowledge of policy and procedures in the clinical setting.
- Applying theoretical knowledge and understanding health history in relation to midwifery care when undertaking assessment of women during clinical practice.
- Paraphrasing, summarising and referencing in accordance with appropriate academic conventions associated with the American Psychological Association (APA) referencing format used by the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Sciences.
- Reading and accurately interpreting plans of care and medication orders for women and infants.
- Completing midwifery documentation that is accurate, clear and concise.
Performing accurate drug calculations in a timely manner in medication administration assessments and in clinical practice. - Demonstrating accurate recording on a fluid balance chart.
- Recognising when a calculator may have given an incorrect answer.
Examples are:
- Focusing on and recognising objects that are either near or far, e.g. reading learning resources such as lecture and tutorial screens face-to-face on-campus or on-line, reading examination papers and/or on-line computer quizzes; or during clinical placement.
- Observing non-verbal behaviour and other situations in a variety of professional settings.
- Accurately drawing up and administering medication.
- Detecting changes in skin colour and general tissue perfusion.
- Hearing verbal communication from other students and lecturers during activities related to the course.
- Accurately interpreting the verbal communication and direction of clinical staff during emergency situations.
- Accurately detecting a blood pressure measurement, listening to heart, lung and bowel sounds by auscultation using a stethoscope.
- Responding to a care request by activation of a call bell or calls for help.
- Detecting changes in various maternal and infant observations e.g. assessing uterine contractions, skin temperature and palpating pulses.
- Conducting a physical assessment detecting anatomical abnormalities e.g. swelling or alteration in texture.
- Using touch appropriately as an alternative means of conveying positive messages to patients such as emotional support and encouragement.
Examples are:
- Building rapport with women and their families, from all walks of life, as well as with colleagues and healthcare staff in both the academic and clinical environment.
- Establishing, sustaining and concluding relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships.
- Communicating effectively and being respectful of a person's dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights.
- Advocating on behalf of people in a manner that respects the person's autonomy and legal capacity.
- Using delegation, supervision, coordination, consultation and referrals in professional relationships to achieve improved health outcomes.
- Maintaining positive working relationships when under stressful circumstances.
- Actively fostering a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others, to share knowledge and practice that supports woman-centred care.
- Effectively participating in groups and teams.
Examples are:
- Accessing, analysing and using the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice.
- Reflecting on topics taught during the course of study, including on situations that may be difficult or sensitive, yet still require reflective processing, judgment or action.
- Identifying when a practice issue is outside your scope of expertise.
- Identifying when your practice may be affected by personal experience and/or reactions.
- Reflecting on situations that may be challenging, difficult and sensitive.
Examples are:
- Actively participating in activities related to the course.
- Undertaking examinations and on-line quizzes with adequate, sustained levels of physical energy and concentration.
- Participating in learning clinical skills and engaging in simulation activities during on-campus learning and teaching situations.
- Performing consistent care and complete repetitive tasks during clinical practice with sustained concentration and physical energy for up to 12 hours at any time of the day or night.
- Performing with the required mental energy and endurance to correctly fulfill emergency services practice and requirements.
Examples are:
- Incorporating a range of gross motor skills while participating effectively in activities related to the course.
- Maintaining balance while safely mobilising and transferring individuals or resources.
- Moving with ease around women's bedsides, birthing suite, bathrooms and equipment items while performing the delivery of care activities and responding to emergency situations.
- Safely retrieving and utilising stock and equipment.
- Inserting a urinary catheter.
- Manipulating intricate equipment to assist with instrument births, resuscitations, and other relevant procedures.
- Manipulating syringes and needles during preparation and administration of medications addressing safety to self and others.
- Priming, accurately inserting and setting prescribed rates on an infusion device.
Examples are:
- Demonstrating the skills of collaborating with fellow students and colleagues, modifying and reflecting on practice, or modifying and reflecting on work in response to supervisor feedback.
- Rapidly building rapport with colleagues and stakeholders in order to engage them in effective emergency services practice, for example during difficult situations and crises situations.
- Critically self-reflecting on situations that may/may not have gone well and take the learning point(s) from that situation.
- Interacting and engaging with individuals and groups in emergency services practice in a respectful and culturally competent manner in a wide variety of contexts.
Examples are:
- Accessing a computer for your studies.
- Accessing relevant CQUniversity sites to facilitate effective engagement with course content and demonstrating understanding of course requirements.
- Accessing, interpreting, and entering information into a digital health system to enable safe patient care in the simulated environment and while attending clinical placement.
- Analysing, manipulating, and displaying scientific information.
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements apply to this course and as such are subject to compulsory pre-placement conditions referred to as mandatory checks and are outlined in the health, security, and other compulsory requirements sections. Mandatory checks are determined by industry, organisations, legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures. To be eligible for a WIL placement, students must first achieve compliance with mandatory checks by each closing date prior to a WIL placement and maintain current evidence for the duration of the course.
Mandatory health requirements include immunisation and vaccination evidence (and serology where required) to the following diseases: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, Influenza, and Tuberculosis screening.
Effective 25 September 2023, updates have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Queensland Health sites and the Queensland Ambulance Service. While Queensland Health does not currently mandate evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, it's essential to recognise that other organisations may enforce their own vaccination specific criteria. This situation is similar across other states and territories, with the exception of Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, where COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all healthcare students.
Mandatory security requirements include an Australian Federal Police clearance and a Working With Children check.
Other mandatory requirements include a First Aid and CPR certificate, student agreement to privacy and confidentiality, adherence to AHPRA policies for registered students, fitness to participate in WIL student declaration, jurisdictional and site-specific compulsory requirements, and other training modules.
- 1. Integrate a woman-centred approach to care, grounded in midwifery philosophies and primary health care principles, to ensure inclusive and safe practice
- 2. Investigate, interpret, and integrate contemporary, evidence-based knowledge and skills to provide competent midwifery care across the childbearing continuum, within the full scope of midwifery practice
- 3. Analyse clinical information obtained through the application of knowledge and skills to interpret and respond to clinical deterioration, ensuring safe and effective complex care for women and babies
- 4. Integrate principles of inclusivity and cultural safety into midwifery practice to provide culturally safe and responsive care that promotes the health, rights, and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, families, and communities
- 5. Integrate principles of inclusivity and cultural safety into midwifery practice to promote the health, rights, and wellbeing of women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and other marginalised groups
- 6. Demonstrate advanced communication skills with women, intraprofessional, and interprofessional teams to support collaboration and the delivery of safe, inclusive, woman-centred care
- 7. Strategise the use of innovative information technology, digital health tools, electronic systems, and emerging technologies, and integrate them into contemporary midwifery practice in alignment with the Nursing and Midwifery Digital Health Framework
- 8. Integrate the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours necessary for the safe and quality use of medicines in midwifery practice, in accordance with the National Prescribing Service (NPS) Competencies Required to Prescribe Medicines Framework and the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
- 9. Appraise, interpret, and integrate contemporary evidence by developing and applying research skills to ensure safe and effective midwifery practice
- 10. Demonstrate achievement of the knowledge, skills, and professional competencies required to meet the registration standards for practice as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
| Course Learning Outcomes | ||||||||||
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| Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 1. KNOWLEDGE Have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning | ||||||||||
| 2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge | ||||||||||
| 3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas | ||||||||||
| 4. SKILLS Have cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence | ||||||||||
| 5. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas | ||||||||||
| 6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship | ||||||||||
| 7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts | ||||||||||
| 8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | ||||||||||
| KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology | ||||||||||
| APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Engage in reflective self-evaluation of own cultural values and perspectives to proactively create an inclusive workplace that affirms and celebrates cultural diversity | ||||||||||
| APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner | ||||||||||
- Complete the core structure
| Number of units: 22 | Total credit points: 144 |
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Bachelor of Midwifery students will be allocated a Midwifery Professional Experience (MPE) placement when enrolled in Professional Midwifery Practice units 2 to 6. These placements, located at clinical sites across Queensland, enable students to meet the clinical requirements of each Professional Midwifery Practice unit and the overall program.
Due to limited availability of clinical placements across Queensland, students may be required to travel, and any associated costs will be their responsibility. Additionally, placement periods may not align precisely with the academic term in which the student is enrolled in the corresponding Professional Midwifery Practice unit.
Enrolment numbers for the program and units with MPE components will be capped to ensure that all students can meet the minimum clinical requirements, such as acting as the primary accoucheur for 30 births, in accordance with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council's (ANMAC) Midwife Accreditation Standards.
Program Progression
Students must complete all units in accordance with the prescribed program structure. Progression requires the successful completion of all prerequisite and corequisite units. Exceptions may be granted with approval from the Head of Course. Students studying full-time will complete the program in three years. Those studying part-time may take five years to complete. The final year of study must be completed full-time.
If unforeseen circumstances prevent a student from completing the required clinical hours, a practicum outstanding (PO) grade may be awarded as an interim result. In such cases, students may be permitted to enrol in units for the following term. However, if the outstanding clinical requirements are not met before census date, they may be required to withdraw from those units to avoid financial and academic penalties.
Residential Schools
The program includes six compulsory week-long residential schools, one aligned with each term. Attendance is mandatory, and students must attend 100% of each residential school to progress in the program. Final dates for residential schools are confirmed several weeks before the start of each term by the CQUniversity timetabling department; however, dates may change due to institutional requirements. Due to limited capacity in Clinical Learning Centres, attendance numbers at some sites may be capped. Students are responsible for costs related to travel and accommodation. They will be informed of the campus location for each residential school in advance.
Midwifery Professional Experience Placements
Students are required to complete MPE placement in five units throughout the program, comprising a minimum of 960 clinical hours. In addition, students are required to undertake a minimum of 10 COCEs. Compliance with all relevant policies and agreements, including Work Integrated Learning (WIL) policies, is mandatory. These include the Work Integrated Learning Policy and Procedure, Code of Conduct, Student Conduct Policy and Procedure, the Student Declaration and Confidentiality Agreement, the Queensland Health Student Deed Poll, and the specific guidelines for the Bachelor of Midwifery program.
Students will complete both formative and summative assessments when completing MPE. Clinical performance will be evaluated using the Australian Midwifery Standards Assessment Tool (AMSAT), which must be completed by a supervising registered midwife.
Ongoing clinical placement is a requirement for continued enrolment in the program. Therefore, all students are expected to maintain appropriate conduct and professional behaviour. If a student fails to do so and their placement is rescinded as a result, they will be unable to continue in the program.
The proposed Bachelor of Midwifery course will have 144 credit points. There are 22 core units within the course. Twenty units will be six 6 credit points, and the two third-year MPE units will each be 12 credit points.