Midwives provide a comprehensive and professional care focused on women’s individual maternal, unique needs, expectations and aspirations.  By adopting a woman-centred approach to midwifery practice, Victoria University's  Bachelor of Midwifery prepare midwives to practice competently and confidently at a beginning level in a variety of maternity settings, demonstrate and reflect practice expected of the profession. Including: 

• demonstrate practice which is evidence-informed;
• demonstrate practice that reflects cultural safety and sensitivity with woman;
• reflect attitudes and the philosophy of being woman-centred with woman aiming for continuity of care within professional relationships;
• work both as a primary carer and in collaboration with other healthcare professionals in providing comprehensive care through women's reproductive lives and experiences; and
• achieve employment in a variety of maternity care settings. 

Our students are trained to full capacity work according to international standard, and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC) National Competency Standards for Midwife (2006) and ANMC Code of Ethics for Midwives (2008).

On successful completion of this course you can apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

For further information about registration requirements for health practitioners, please visit the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

• Location:
  St Albans
• College:
  College of Health and Biomedicine
• Study mode:
  Full Time
• Delivery mode:
  On campus and On-line
• Course code:
  HBMW
• Duration:
  3 years
• This information is for Australian residents.
  Click here to search for courses available to non-residents

How to apply

As a midwife, you can pursue career opportunities in public and private maternity and women's health care settings.

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

The aim of the course is to prepare a competent midwife who can practise in a variety of maternity settings to the full capacity of the internationally defined role and scope of practice of the midwife, and according to the ANMC 'National Competency Standards for the Midwife' (2006) and the ANMC 'Code of Ethics for Midwives' (2008).

The course will prepare midwives who will be expected to:

• practice competently and confidently at a beginning level in a variety of maternity settings and demonstrate practice which is evidence-informed;
• demonstrate practice that reflects cultural safety and sensitivity with woman;
• reflect attitudes which are congruent with the philosophy of being woman-centred with woman aiming for continuity of care within professional relationships;
• work both as a primary carer and in collaboration with other healthcare professionals in providing comprehensive care through women's reproductive lives and experiences; and,
• achieve employment in a variety of maternity care settings.

Course duration:

The course is 6 semesters in length and is offered to fulltime students over three years. The University has a maximum length of course policy that for three year degree units, stipulates that the maximum time a student can take to complete a course of that length is 10 years unless a shorter time is stipulated.

Apart from the clinical practicum units, all units are currently offered in an 'on campus' mode, however there are online components to some units. In the future more use may be made of this teaching medium with some units being offered in 'off campus' or 'mixed' mode.

The University recognises its responsibility to notify the Nurses Board of Victoria of any changes to the course before they can be implemented.

Brief outline of the course:

Year 1:

Lays the foundations for the following years with foundational studies in both professional topics and normal midwifery theory and skills, supported by psychology, sociology and anatomy & physiology. The study of midwifery theory commences with a focus on normal pregnancy, labour and birth and early parenting. This includes introduction to medications. The philosophy of 'with woman' is emphasised with the students commencing follow-throughs with women through formulation of professional relationships within the Continuity of Care program.

Year 2:

With a focus on the pathophysiology of childbearing, students are introduced to the theory and skills related to childbearing complications and women's health across the lifespan with a focus on consolidating clinical skills and medication management learnt thus far. Working with women from diverse backgrounds will also be highlighted. Students will have further opportunities to facilitate follow-through relationships with women.

Year 3:

Childbearing complications theory and skills will be examined further supported by additional studies in medication management. The role of the midwife will encompass the development of skills used for enhanced practice to provide a basis for students as graduates to practice within midwife-led models of care. Students will also undertake studies related to babies needing extra care. A consolidation unit will also be undertaken to prepare students for the world of professional midwifery practice.

• Anatomy and Physiology 1

  Unit code

  RBM1121

  Credits

  12

• Foundations in Midwifery

  Unit code

  HMB1101

  Credits

  12

• Midwifery Practice 1

  Unit code

  HMB1102

  Credits

  12

• Psychology 1

  Unit code

  APT1310

  Credits

  12

• Anatomy and Physiology 2

  Unit code

  RBM1222

  Credits

  12

• Sociology of Indigenous Health

  Unit code

  ASE1325

  Credits

  12

• Supporting Women Becoming Mothers

  Unit code

  HMB1203

  Credits

  12

• Midwifery Practice 2

  Unit code

  HMB1204

  Credits

  12

• Working as a Professional 1

  Unit code

  HMB2105

  Credits

  12

• Pathophysiology in Midwifery

  Unit code

  RBM2123

  Credits

  12

• Complex Pregnancy and Birth 1

  Unit code

  HMB2106

  Credits

  12

• Midwifery Practice 3

  Unit code

  HMB2107

  Credits

  12

• Quality Use of Medicines for Midwifery 1

  Unit code

  HMB2208

  Credits

  12

• Diversity in Midwifery Practice

  Unit code

  HMB2209

  Credits

  12

• Women's Health

  Unit code

  HMB2210

  Credits

  12

• Midwifery Practice 4

  Unit code

  HMB2211

  Credits

  12

• Quality Use of Medicines for Midwifery 2

  Unit code

  HMB3112

  Credits

  12

• Complex Pregnancy and Birth 2

  Unit code

  HMB3113

  Credits

  12

• Midwifery Practice 5

  Unit code

  HMB3114

  Credits

  12

• Working as a Professional 2

  Unit code

  HMB3115

  Credits

  12

• Working With Evidence in Midwifery Practice

  Unit code

  HMB3216

  Credits

  12

• Complications of the Newborn

  Unit code

  HMB3217

  Credits

  12

• Midwifery Practice 6

  Unit code

  HMB3218

  Credits

  12

• Midwifery Practice 7: Consolidation

  Unit code

  HMB3219

  Credits

  12

• TAFE: Pathway from Diploma of Nursing under consideration.
• Year 12:

  Year 12 applicants:

  To qualify for admission to the course, the applicant must have successfully completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or equivalent (and meet all extra requirements and selection procedures listed through VTAC) with:

  Units 1 and 2 Maths (any);

  Units 3 and 4 English and a study score of at least 25; and,

  a study score of least 20 in one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Health Education, Psychology, Human Development, Physics or Maths (any).

  Selection occurs through screening of ATAR scores and a two-stage process with a middle band of approximately 20%.

  Middle-band: A study score of at least 30 in English (any) and a study score of at least 25 in one of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics (any), psychology or health and human development = an aggregate 1 point higher per study, to a maximum 2 points.

   

  Non-year 12 applicants:

  Applicants who do not meet the normal admission requirements but who possess appropriate educational qualifications, work or life experiences which would enable them to successfully undertake the course, will be considered for admission.  All applicants are required to complete and submit a VTAC Personal Information form.

• Mature: Non-Year 12 applicants are selected into the course using the criteria as set out in the VTAC guide.
• Other:

  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants:

  Persons of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent are encouraged to apply for admission.  Applicants will be assessed on an individual basis to determine the suitability and potential for success in the course.

   

  Portfolio Partnerships Program:

  Victoria University is committed to strengthening partnerships with schools and communities in its local region.  The Portfolio Partnership Program is an alternative entry scheme available to students in participating secondary schools in Western metropolitan, Sunbury and Macedon regions.

   

  Recognition of Prior Learning:

  Applicants who have undertaken part of a Bachelor of Midwifery degree or a nursing degree may be given advanced standard according to the University's 'Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)' policy.  Each case is dealt with on an individual basis.  This is carried out through the School's RPL Committee (convened under University guidelines).

Special admission requirements

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants:

Persons of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent are encouraged to apply for admission. Applicants will be assessed on an individual basis to determine the suitability and potential for success in the course.

Portfolio Partnerships Program:

Victoria University is committed to strengthening partnerships with schools and communities in its local region. The Portfolio Partnership Program is an alternative entry scheme available to students in participating secondary schools in Western metropolitan, Sunbury and Macedon regions. Selected courses are included in the program and provide opportunities for students with strong vocational commitment and the potential to succeed at university in their selected course to submit a portfolio of evidence. This gives the applicant an opportunity to provide additional information related to their goals and achievements, previous studies, work experience, skills, personal qualities as well as examples of work and other evidence that indicates a commitment to the proposed area of study in midwifery.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Applicants who have undertaken part of a Bachelor of Midwifery degree or a nursing degree may be given advanced standard according to the University's 'Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)' policy. Each case is dealt with on an individual basis. This is carried out through the School's RPL Committee (convened under University guidelines).