This program applies to students who commenced in Block A 2026 or later.

Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.

For commencement 2021-2025, please refer to 4775 Graduate Diploma in Midwifery

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 Block A 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 registered 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 registered midwife
On successful completion of this approved program of study, 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.
https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-and-Endorsement/Student-Registration.aspx

Professional Standards and Conduct
https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/

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.
•  Director of Academic Program - Dr Hazel Keedle

Work Integrated Learning
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.

Study Mode

Fourteen months full-time.

Program Advice

School of Nursing and Midwifery Postgraduate Academic Program Advisor

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Location

Campus	Attendance	Mode	Advice
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road	Full-time	Internal	See above

Accreditation

The Graduate Diploma in Midwifery is an approved program of study by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) accredited on recommendation from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).

Program accreditation can be checked on their website.
https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Accreditation/Approved-Programs-of-Study.aspx?ref=Midwife&Type=General

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.

Inherent Requirements

Admission

Registered Nurse (Division 1) (currently registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency – Nursing and Midwifery).

Midwifery Practice Experience (MPE) 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
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/nursing/employment/Pages/MidStART.aspx

Applicants for MPE must be a registered nurse at the time of attending the interview.

All applicants will be required to meet English Language Proficiency requirements. Applicants 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

https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).  Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University.  Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International 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. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

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.

Special Requirements

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.

Recommended Sequence

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1		Credit Points
BLOCK A SESSION
NURS 7057	Professional Foundations of Midwifery	10
	Credit Points	10
Autumn session
NURS 7083	Foundations of Perinatal Care	10
NURS 7084	Perinatal Care in Practice	10
NURS 7048	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Maternal and Newborn Health	10
	Credit Points	30
Spring session
NURS 7085	Complex Midwifery Theory and Practice	10
NURS 7086	Perinatal Psychosocial Issues	10
NURS 7087	Pharmacology for Midwifery Practice	10
	Credit Points	30
Year 2
BLOCK A SESSION
NURS 7056	Preparation for Midwifery Practice	10
	Credit Points	10
	Total Credit Points	80

Midwifery Practice Experience (MPE)

Hospital Placement
MPE occurs for 12 months at one hospital, students are employed 32 hours per week as a Registered Nurse/Midwifery Student. During MPE 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 care 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 through 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.