As a midwife, you will be a trusted guide, mentor, and source of strength during one of life’s most profound experiences.
You'll support women and their families through every stage of pregnancy, birth, and beyond – witnessing the arrival of new life while offering essential care and wisdom in the critical postnatal period. Your guidance will empower new parents with the confidence and skills they need to thrive in their new roles.
You’ll be there for one of the most significant moments in a family’s life. Long after mother and baby have returned home, your compassion, expertise and dedication will be remembered.
The Bachelor of Midwifery at Adelaide University equips you for a fulfilling career in maternity care. Emphasising woman and family-centred care, the program ensures you develop the skills to meet the social, emotional, physical, and cultural needs of the women and families you support throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
Gain real-world experience through clinical placements, actively participating in a minimum of 30 births across various settings in South Australia. Our unique Continuity of Care Experience (CoCE) offers you the chance to follow a minimum of 10 women and expectant parents through their pregnancy, birth, and postnatal journeys – providing a deep understanding of midwifery practice.
Learn in cutting-edge facilities, including an on-campus simulated hospital that mirrors real-world scenarios with birthing suites, a special care nursery and a postnatal area. Throughout your studies, you'll be guided by experienced clinicians and educators who are leaders in midwifery, ensuring you graduate with the expertise to make a meaningful impact.
You can also choose to study this program at our regional campuses in Mount Gambier and Whyalla.
Work closely with women and families throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period.Develop the skills to support the diverse health needs of families from various backgrounds.Gain hands-on experience in our high-tech simulation hospital, guided by expert clinical and academic staff.Actively participate in a minimum of 30 births, working alongside experienced midwives.Follow the unique journeys of 10 women and families through pregnancy, birth and postnatal care.Build practical skills with clinical placements from your first year, establishing valuable connections with industry partners and leading clinicians.In this degree, you’ll learn to provide compassionate and expert care to women and their families. You’ll discover the critical legal and ethical responsibilities of midwives, understanding how these impact on the lives of those you care for. You’ll also explore how political, socio-cultural, economic and technological factors are shaping midwifery practice today.
Your studies will be grounded in both theory and practice. Much of your learning will take place in our high-tech simulation facilities that mirror real-world hospital environments. Here, you’ll practise your skills with practical scenarios and manikins, allowing you to build confidence and prepare for clinical practice.
Clinical placements will form a significant part of your studies. You’ll work in hospitals and health services across metro, regional and rural areas – always under the supervision of experienced midwives. Throughout your placements, you’ll be actively involved in a minimum of 30 births and provide pre- and post-birth care for at least 100 women.
A unique aspect of the degree is the Continuity of Care Experience (CoCE), where you’ll follow a minimum of 10 women through their pregnancy and birth journeys, offering consistent support and learning about the importance of continuity of care.
Placements and CoCE must be completed in South Australia on a full-time basis, with shift work required across a seven-day roster. The nature of midwifery means you may be required to carry out these experiences over more than one study period.
Complete 144 units comprising:
Complete 90 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
Human Biology 1
|
Course code
BIOL1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Human Biology 2
|
Course code
BIOL1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fetal and Maternal Pathophysiology
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Course code
BIOL2038
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Healthy Mothers and Babies
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Course code
MIDW1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Evidence Based Midwifery
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Course code
MIDW1101
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Complex Care of the Woman
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Course code
MIDW2001
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Complex Care of the Neonate
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Course code
MIDW2003
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Midwifery Project
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Course code
MIDW3000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Perinatal Mental Health and Wellbeing
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Course code
MIDW3001
|
Units
6
|
|
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Course name
Women's Health Across the Lifespan
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Course code
MIDW3002
|
Units
6
|
|
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Course name
Becoming a Midwife
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Course code
MIDW3010
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Units
6
|
|
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Course name
Aboriginal Health
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Course code
NURS1001
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Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics for Midwives
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Course code
PHAR2016
|
Units
6
|
Complete 54 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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Course name
Primary Midwifery Practice
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Course code
MIDW1002
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Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Experiential Learning Activity: Midwifery Foundation Practicum 1
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Course code
MIDW1900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Experiential Learning Activity: Midwifery Development Practicum 2
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Course code
MIDW2901
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Experiential Learning Activity: Midwifery Practice Development Practicum 3
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Course code
MIDW2900
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Experiential Learning Activity: Midwifery Transition Practicum 4
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Course code
MIDW3901
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Experiential Learning Activity: Midwifery Transition Practicum 5
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Course code
MIDW3902
|
Units
12
|
As a midwife, you’ll lead the way in maternity care, providing women with expert guidance and reassurance throughout their pregnancies. During birth, you’ll play a hands-on role, actively ensuring the safety and wellbeing of both mother and baby. In the crucial days that follow, you’ll continue to support women and their families, helping them navigate the early stages of caring for their newborn.
As a midwife, you'll have opportunities to work in group practices, providing care to women within caseload models. You could offer family planning support, guide women through pregnancy and birth in a hospital setting, or assist with home births.
Roles are available in multidisciplinary healthcare teams in a range of settings, including:
Industry trends
Midwifery is a dynamic and evolving profession, continually adapting to meet the diverse needs of women, families, and communities. There is an increasing emphasis on continuity of care and the development of cultural competence to provide inclusive support for diverse populations. Adelaide University’s midwifery degree reflects these priorities, equipping you with a contemporary skill set to offer compassionate, equitable care to all families.
In Australia, midwifery is a growing field. There is also a national shortage of midwives in all states in Australia (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024).
Adelaide University is working through relevant approvals for program accreditation ahead of students commencing in 2026.
Explore answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
