The Graduate Diploma in Midwifery is a program for registered nurses wishing to pursue a career in Midwifery. The program prepares graduates for eligibility to apply for registration throughout Australia as a registered midwife. The program combines theory and practice with an emphasis on woman centred care, the art and science of midwifery, health promotion, communication skills, evidence based practice and models of midwifery care within a primary health care approach. To be eligible for this program students are required to obtain a 12 month position of employment as a Registered Nurse/midwifery student in an affiliated NSW Health Local Health District hospital or a Maternity Unit in a Private Hospital. The program will be offered over 14 months with the students completing the last subject in Summer B of the second year.
Prospective students should be aware that full disclosure of any issues of impairment or misconduct is a declaration requirement when applying for registration as a midwife.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) has a register of students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Midwifery for the duration of their study. Western Sydney University as the education provider will provide your details directly to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) for registration.
Registration as a nurse or midwife
On successful completion of an accredited program, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Prospective students should be aware that full disclosure of any issues of impairment or misconduct is a declaration requirement when applying for registration as a registered nurse or midwife. To be accepted for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, you are required to disclose any criminal history, physical and/or psychological impairments and meet specific English language standards. For further clarification of these requirements contact the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
You are expected to behave in a professional and appropriate manner. The use of abusive language, threatening behaviour, misuse of campus property, bullying or sexual harassment, will not be tolerated. These misdemeanours will be treated as serious matters and may result in suspension or exclusion.
Please ensure that you are familiar with the policies available on the Western Sydney University website. In addition, nurses and midwives must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), and meet the NMBA's professional standards in order to practice in Australia.
Registration standards define the requirements that applicants, registrants or students need to meet to be registered.
To ensure patient safety, nurses and midwives are deemed mandatory reporters and under National Law are subject to making notification about notifiable conduct.
It is important to be aware that complaints or concerns can be raised about the health, conduct or performance of a registered health practitioner or student at any time.
The Graduate Diploma in Midwifery is accredited by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) on recommendation by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC). program accreditation can be checked on their website. http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Education/Approved-Programs-of-Study.aspx?ref=Midwife
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this program that you must meet in order to complete your program and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this program online.
Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.
There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program. Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.
Admission
Registered Nurse (Division 1) (currently registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency – Nursing and Midwifery)
A clinical placement is required to be secured in an approved maternity hospital. The student is responsible for the application and securing of a position as a midwifery student in one of the approved hospitals.
Recruitment of student midwives occurs during June through a centralised online process
Applicants for clinical placements must be a registered nurse at the time of attending the interview.
All applicants will be required to meet English Language Proficiency requirements. Applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.
All applicants for the Graduate Diploma of Midwifery are required to provide evidence of demonstrating your English language competency in one of the following ways
English is your primary language and you have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country, including at least two years between years 7 and 12. Recognised country means one of the following countries: Australia; Canada; New Zealand; Republic of Ireland; South Africa; United Kingdom; United States of America
You currently hold registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)
English Proficiency Assessment
If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the scores as below. English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study.
1. IELTS (academic module). We only accept test results from one test sitting; or a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if
you achieve a minimum overall score of 7 in each sitting, and
you achieve a minimum score of 7 in each component across the two sittings, and
no score in any component of the test is below 6.5
2. OET. We will only accept test results from one test sitting; or a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if
you are tested in all four components in each sitting, and
you achieve a minimum score of 8 in each component across the two sittings, and
no score in any component of the test is below C
3. PTE Academic. We will only accept test results from one test sitting; or a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if
a minimum overall score of 65 is achieved in each sitting, and
you achieve a minimum score of 65 in each of the communicative skills across the two sittings, and
no score in any of the communicative skills is below 58
4. TOEFL iBt. We will only accept test results from one test sitting; or a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if
a minimum total score of 94 is achieved in each sitting, and
you achieve a minimum score of 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking across the two sittings, and
no score in any of the sections is below 20 for listening; 19 for reading; 24 for writing and 20 for speaking.
Note: Students who were not born in any of the above recognised countries need to be aware of the English language requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia that need to be demonstrated prior to registration. Please contact the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia for information on this requirement
Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.
Students must be employed in a NSW Health Local Health District hospital or a Maternity Unit in a Private Hospital, in a position as a Registered Nurse and midwifery student, to be enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Midwifery.
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points including the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.
Practice experience occurs for 12 months at one hospital, students are employed 32 hours per week as a Registered Nurse/Midwifery Student. During practice experience students will develop clinical skills and knowledge in areas such as antenatal clinics; antenatal wards; birthing units; postnatal wards; newborn nursery; postnatal home visiting; operating theatres for caesarean sections; ultrasound clinics; fetal and maternal assessment units. The practice also includes working in such areas as community centres with child and family nurses or midwives in group practice.
Continuity of Care
Continuity of care is an integral component of the Graduate Diploma in Midwifery. Continuity of care/carer enables women to develop a relationship with the same caregiver(s) throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. Continuity of care/carer facilitates relationships and consistent information, which is essential to the provision of care that is safe, sensitive and appropriate. Students will undertake 10 continuity of cares with women over the 12-month practice placement.
For the student, continuity of care requires attendance at antenatal clinics on a weekly/fortnightly basis and provision of antenatal care under the supervision of a midwife. Students will follow 10 women throughout their pregnancy, labour and birth and during the postnatal period for up six weeks as determined by the woman, and the supervising midwife. This may include visits to the woman’s home. This may require attendance for care outside rostered shifts.
