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Graduate Diploma in Midwifery

Approved Abbreviation: GradDipMid

Western Sydney University Course Code: 4775.1

AQF Level: 8

This course replaced 4697 Graduate Diploma in Midwifery from Summer B, 2021.

Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year in this course is Summer B, 2021 or later.

Units may be revised or replaced to ensure students are provided with up to date curriculum throughout their studies, and this may result in a new course version. Refer to the Check My Course Progress page in MySR for the most up to date information for your course.

For commencement year 2015 - 2020, please refer to: 4697.1 Graduate Diploma in Midwifery

The Graduate Diploma in Midwifery is a course for registered nurses wishing to pursue a career in Midwifery. The course prepares graduates for eligibility to apply for registration throughout Australia as a registered midwife. The course 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 course 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 course will be offered over 14 months with the students completing the last unit 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 course, 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.

Study Mode
14 months full-time.

Accreditation
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). Course 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 course that you must meet in order to complete your course and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this course online.

Inherent requirements

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

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/nursing/employment/Pages/MidStART.aspx

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.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

English Language Proficiency Requirements

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

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

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 Prerequisites
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.

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. Students will be required to meet the requirements of health services where practical experiences occur.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this course. Please contact the Course Advisor listed above for information.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 80 credit points including the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence

Year 1

Summer B session

401374Professional Foundations of Midwifery

Autumn session

401347Foundations of Antenatal and Birth Care
401348Foundations of Postnatal and Newborn Care
401349Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Maternal and Newborn Health

Spring session

401350Complex Midwifery Care
401351Complex Midwifery Practice
401092Essentials of Best Practice in Midwifery

Year 2

Summer B session

401352Preparation for Midwifery Practice

Practice Experience

Hospital placement

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.



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