Undergraduate
Bachelor of Midwifery
2021
Through a partnership approach, midwives provide woman centred, evidence based care for women and babies throughout the childbearing journey in a variety of settings. Midwives play an important role in promoting the health and wellbeing of women and their families by supporting the woman's childbearing choices and providing expertise around pregnancy, birth, postnatal and the newborn period. Midwives collaborate with other health professionals to continue midwifery care in complex situations.
The Bachelor of Midwifery at CDU is aligned with the International Confederation of Midwives' definition of the midwife. Students require a high level of motivation, determination and organisation to successfully negotiate study and clinical experience requirements with work and family commitments. The online nature of the course requires students to be disciplined and committed in their study habits. Students should consider whether their family life and work commitments will support their attendance at placement and time available for study.
Placement may occur during and outside of the semester and students may be required to travel away from home to complete up to 6 weeks of placement at their own expense. Students need to be aware that:
- placement is arranged by Charles Darwin University and dates are determined by the availability of places at the health service facility, therefore dates for placement may not be negotiable
- students are required to attend the arranged placement to progress in the course
- non-attendance at placement may only occur in extenuating circumstances. Childcare and work commitments are not extenuating circumstances for the purpose of placement
- placements may include morning, evening, night duty, on-call and shifts on weekends and public holidays
There are inherent requirements for midwifery. Inherent requirements are the essential abilities, knowledge and skills to achieve course learning outcomes and to be able to safely practise as a midwife. Midwifery requires a degree of physical strength and mobility, endurance, communication and cognitive abilities for safe practice. For more detailed information see Inherent Requirements for Midwifery.
Reporting obligations: Under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, CDU is required to register midwifery students with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and to notify AHPRA if a student has or develops a health impairment that may place the public at substantial risk of harm. Students have obligations under the National Law and are expected to understand their obligations prior to enrolling. More information available at NMBA Student Registration.
This is a quota course with more applicants than places available, eligible applicants will be ranked in order of academic merit.
Career opportunities
Graduating from this course may lead to career opportunities in roles including midwifery group practice, homebirth and working in public or private hospitals.
Professional recognition
Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) to practice as a midwife in all Australian States or Territories and some overseas countries.
Credit transfers & pathways
Pathways for VET to Higher Education
Guaranteed credit transfer arrangements are available to students commencing a bachelor degree at Charles Darwin University with completed Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree qualifications in the same field or discipline. Students who hold completed qualifications should refer to the additional information provided about Advanced Standing and Credit Transfer and Pathways using the links below:
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
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There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.
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This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
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Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
The Bachelor of Midwifery is a highly competitive course which has a quota of approximately 100 places each year. This means that although you may meet the minimum entry requirements for the course, you may not be ranked high enough to receive an offer. Quota courses are included in the main January offer round.
Admission criteria
Admission requirements are met by one of the following:
- Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent) and the awarding of an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 80*.
- Successful completion of a national qualification at Diploma level or higher.
- Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma with a GPA of 5.5 and above.
- Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications.
- Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 173 (or a score of 168 if prior to May 2010).
- Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program or the Preparation for Tertiary Success courses or a recognised enabling course of at least twelve months duration.
* After any applicable adjustment factors have been applied.
Residents of Sydney, NSW Central Coast and NSW North Coast are advised to call Student Central on 1800 061 963 prior to applying to discuss placement.
Additional admission requirements
Midwifery students must meet a specific level of English language proficiency before they start in a course.
You can show English language proficiency by:
- completing a declaration that English is your primary language, or
- sitting an English language proficiency test.
All applicants are required to meet the English Language Skills Registration Standard as outlined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) at www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/.
Applicants will be required to submit the following via their UAC/SATAC application to demonstrate they meet the above standard prior to being included in offer rounds in one of the following ways:
1. PRIMARY LANGUAGE PATHWAY:
A signed English Language Declaration indicating the following:
- English is their primary language; and
- They 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 countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, and USA.
OR
2. ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST PATHWAY
Applicants have achieved and can supply evidence of the required minimum scores in one of the following English language tests:
- IELTS (Academic) Minimum Scores
Band score of 7.0 in all bands
(IELTS Indicator test is not accepted) - TOEFL Minimum Scores
Internet-based: total score of 94 with a minimum of 27 in Writing, 23 in Speaking and 24 in Reading and Listening
(TOEFL Home edition test is not accepted) - Pearson Test of English (Academic) Minimum Scores
Overall score of 65 AND Skills profile of 65 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening - Occupational English Test (OET)
A minimum result of B/score of 350 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
TOEFL Home edition and IELTS Indicator tests are not accepted for entry to Nursing and Midwifery courses
Essential requirements
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either:
- undertaking previous Overseas Secondary Schooling education from standard list of English speaking countries; or
- by undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| IELTS Academic Module | A minimum overall score of 7.0 with no band less than 7.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | Test not accepted for this course. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | Test not accepted for this course. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 65 with no score less than 65 in reading, writing, speaking and listening. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 94 and a minimum 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking. |
* All tests are valid for one year from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
Pre-clinical requirements:
Students must provide proof that they have met all university and State/Territory pre-clinical requirements before they can undertake those units that include clinical placements. These requirements include, but are not limited to, immunisation requirements, Senior First Aid qualification, annual criminal record checks and/or working with children clearances and/or fitness-to-practice requirements.
ATAR profile
There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.
Course structure
This course consists of 24 units. Two foundational units provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully complete the course, become lifelong learners and explore issues related to living, studying and working in diverse social and cultural environments. Core units promote the concept of cultural safety in practice and address the needs of Aboriginal women and people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Units in bioscience, sociology, psychology and midwifery sciences and practice are combined with extensive periods of clinical experience.
Students practice reflective, evidence-based midwifery encompassing primary health care principles as well as the emotional, physical and social aspects of birth based on an evidence-based multidisciplinary, teaching and learning framework. All students explore the challenges of contemporary midwifery practice and maternity service provision in Australia and internationally as well as addressing the perspectives and needs of Aboriginal women including residents of remote communities.
Units are offered in mixed-modes of study including compulsory on-campus clinical teaching blocks for all students, at their own expense. Clinical teaching blocks are held at Casuarina campus. Once students have completed their clinical teaching block students undertake midwifery professional experience placements in approved health service facilities.
Pre-Clinical Requirements
You must provide proof that you have met all university and State/Territory pre-clinical requirements before starting clinical placements. These requirements include, but are not limited to:
- immunisation requirements
- Senior First Aid qualification
- annual criminal record checks
- working with children clearances
- fitness-to-practice requirements.
Midwifery is woman-centred and continuity of care is a core element of the course so a commitment to out-of-hours and between semester clinical work is mandatory. Students must follow 10 women across the course of the degree seeing them four times antenatally, being on call for birth, and seeing them twice postnatally. These requirements are in addition to placement. Potential applicants are advised that midwifery is a profession which places considerable physical and psychological demands on the individual however the rewards of the profession can be profound.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 240 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Common Units (2 units) |
20cp | Common units totalling 20 credit points as detailed below.
CUC107 Cultural Intelligence and Capability (compulsory) Select Common Units to find out more about individual units and advanced standing options. |
| Core Units (21 units) |
210cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 210 credit points as detailed below.
MID101 Introduction to Midwifery Practice |
| Specialist Elective (1 unit) |
10cp | Specialist Elective unit totalling 10 credit points as detailed below.
PSY209 Social-Cultural Psychology (replaces HSC201 Health Promotion from 2020) |
| 240cp | Total Credit Points |
Students who commenced in or after 2013
No more than 20 credit points shall be counted with a grade of "PC" in a Bachelor AQF Level 7 course award and no more than 10 credit points at "PC" may be received at the highest level of the program of learning.
Of the total 240 credit points: (unless specified in the specific course structure above)
* not more than 100 credit points may be taken from 100 level units
* a minimum of 60 credit points must be taken from 300 level units or above
Students should refer to the current Grading Policy and Common Course Rules for further information.
Course Changes 2021
HSC230 Cultural Safety in Health has been replaced by HSC220 Society, Culture and Health: A Sociological Introduction. Students who have already completed HSC230 do not need to complete HSC220.
HSC210 Health Sociology has been replaced by NUR135 Primary Health Care. Code still to be confirmed. Students who have already completed HSC210 do not need to complete the replacement unit NUR135.
Course Changes 2020
Specialist Electives
HSC201 Health Promotion has been replaced by PSY209 Social-Cultural Psychology
HSC205 Health Care Policy has been replaced by SWK317 Dynamics of Loss and Grief
Course Changes 2018
NUR210 Health Sociology has been recoded to HSC210 Health Sociology
HEA230 Cultural Competence in Healthcare has been recoded to HSC230 Cultural Safety in Healthcare
Study plan
Students should refer to the attached document for information on recommended study plans
Students commencing in Semester 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- ensure Common Units are completed in the first year of study;
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200.
| Legend: | CU = Common Unit | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | P = Placement/Practicum |
Recommended Study Plan Full-Time - No Prior Qualifications
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| CUC100 Academic Literacies Through Exploring Sustainability | CU | SWK102 Communication Skills | CO |
| SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 | CO | SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2 | CO |
| CUC107 Cultural Intelligence and Capability | CU | PSY202 Developmental Psychology | CO |
| MID101 Introduction to Midwifery Practice (CTB 2 weeks placement) | P | MID102 Fundamental Skills for Midwifery Practice (CTB 3 weeks placement) | P |
| Year 2 | |||
| MID201 Healthy Childbearing 1 | CO | MID205 Midwifery Evidence Informed Health Research | CO |
| MID202 Professional Midwifery Practice 1 (CTB 6 weeks placement) | P | NUR135 Primary Health Care (replaces NUR115 and HSC210 from 2021 and NUR210 from 2018) | CO |
| HSC220 Society, Culture and Health: A Sociological Introduction (replaces HSC230 from 2021 and HEA230 from 2018) | CO | MID203 Healthy Childbearing 2 | CO |
| HSC203 Perspectives of Indigenous Health | CO | MID204 Professional Midwifery Practice 2 (6 weeks placement) | P |
| Year 3 | |||
| MID302 Healthy Childbearing 3 | CO | MID307 Specialist Neonatal Care (3 weeks placement) | P |
| MID303 Professional Midwifery Practice 3 (CTB 6 weeks placement) | P | Specialist Elective | SE |
| MID301 Women's Health (2 weeks placement) | P | MID305 Healthy Childbearing 4 | CO |
| MID304 Midwifery in Global Perspective (up to 7 weeks international clinical placement optional) | CO/P | MID306 Professional Midwifery Practice 4 (6 weeks placement) | P |
Recommended Study Plan Part-Time - No Prior Qualifications
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| CUC100 Academic Literacies Through Exploring Sustainability | CU | SWK102 Communication Skills | CO |
| SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 | CO | SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2 | CO |
| Year 2 | |||
| CUC107 Cultural Intelligence and Capability | CU | PSY202 Developmental Psychology | CO |
| MID101 Introduction to Midwifery Practice (CTB 2 weeks placement) | P | MID102 Fundamental Skills for Midwifery Practice (CTB 3 weeks placement) | P |
| Year 3 | |||
| MID201 Healthy Childbearing 1 | CO | MID205 Midwifery Evidence Informed Health Research | CO |
| MID202 Professional Midwifery Practice 1 (CTB 6 weeks placement) | P | NUR135 Primary Health Care (replaces NUR115 and HSC210 from 2021 and NUR210 from 2018) | CO |
| Year 4 | |||
| HSC220 Society, Culture and Health: A Sociological Introduction (replaces HSC230 from 2021 and HEA230 from 2018) | CO | MID203 Healthy Childbearing 2 | CO |
| HSC203 Perspectives of Indigenous Health | CO | MID204 Professional Midwifery Practice 2 (6 weeks placement) | P |
| Year 5 | |||
| MID302 Healthy Childbearing 3 | CO | MID307 Specialist Neonatal Care (3 weeks placement) | P |
| MID303 Professional Midwifery Practice 3 (CTB 6 weeks placement) | P | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Year 6 | |||
| MID301 Women's Health (2 weeks placement) | P | MID305 Healthy Childbearing 4 | CO |
| MID304 Midwifery in Global Perspective (up to 7 weeks international clinical placement optional) | CO/P | MID306 Professional Midwifery Practice 4 (6 weeks placement) | P |
Recommended Study Plan Full-Time - With Enrolled Nurse (Cert IV) Qualification
CT = Credit Transfer
CUC107 Cultural Intelligence and Capability
MID102 Fundamental Skills for Midwifery Practice
HSC203 Perspectives of Indigenous Health
200-level Specialist Elective
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| CUC100 Academic Literacies Through Exploring Sustainability | CU | SWK102 Communication Skills | CO |
| SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1 | CO | SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2 | CO |
| MID101 Introduction to Midwifery Practice (CTB 2 weeks placement) | P | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| HSC220 Society, Culture and Health: A Sociological Introduction (replaces HSC230 from 2021 and HEA230 from 2018) | CO | PSY202 Developmental Psychology | CO |
| MID201 Healthy Childbearing 1 | CO | NUR135 Primary Health Care (replaces NUR115 and HSC210 from 2021 and NUR210 from 2018) | CO |
| MID202 Professional Midwifery Practice 1 (CTB 6 weeks placement) | P | MID203 Healthy Childbearing 2 | CO |
| MID301 Women's Health (2 weeks placement) | P | MID204 Professional Midwifery Practice 2 (6 weeks placement) | P |
| Year 3 | |||
| MID302 Healthy Childbearing 3 | CO | MID205 Midwifery Evidence Informed Health Research | CO |
| MID303 Professional Midwifery Practice 3 (CTB 6 weeks placement) | P | MID305 Healthy Childbearing 4 | CO |
| MID304 Midwifery in Global Perspective (up to 7 weeks international clinical placement optional) | CO/P | MID306 Professional Midwifery Practice 4 (6 weeks placement) | P |
| MID307 Specialist Neonatal Care (3 weeks placement) | P | ||
Recommended Study Plan Full-Time - With Enrolled Nursing (Diploma) Qualification
CT = Credit Transfer
CUC107 Cultural Intelligence and Capability
MID102 Fundamental Skills for Midwifery Practice
SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1
SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2
HSC203 Perspectives of Indigenous Health
HSC210 Health Sociology (replaces NUR210 from 2018)
PSY202 Developmental Psychology
200-level Specialist Elective
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| CUC100 Academic Literacies Through Exploring Sustainability | CU | SWK102 Communication Skills | CO |
| MID101 Introduction to Midwifery Practice (CTB 2 weeks placement) | P | HSC220 Society, Culture and Health: A Sociological Introduction (replaces HSC230 from 2021 and HEA230 from 2018) | CO |
| Year 2 | |||
| MID201 Healthy Childbearing 1 | CO | MID203 Healthy Childbearing 2 | CO |
| MID202 Professional Midwifery Practice 1 (CTB 6 weeks placement) | P | MID204 Professional Midwifery Practice 2 (6 weeks placement) | P |
| MID301 Women's Health (2 weeks placement) | P | MID205 Midwifery Evidence Informed Health Research | CO |
| MID304 Midwifery in Global Perspective (up to 7 weeks international clinical placement optional) | CO/P | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| MID302 Healthy Childbearing 3 | CO | MID305 Healthy Childbearing 4 | CO |
| MID303 Professional Midwifery Practice 3 (CTB 6 weeks placement) | P | MID306 Professional Midwifery Practice 4 (6 weeks placement) | P |
| MID307 Specialist Neonatal Care (3 weeks placement) | P | ||
Recommended Study Plan Full-Time - With Registered Nurse (Bachelor) Qualification
CT = Credit Transfer
CUC100 Academic Literacies Through Exploring Sustainability
CUC107 Cultural Intelligence and Capability
MID102 Fundamental Skills for Midwifery Practice
SBI171 Anatomy and Physiology 1
SBI172 Anatomy and Physiology 2
SWK102 Communication Skills
HSC230 Cultural Safety in Health (replaces HEA230 from 2018)
HSC210 Health Sociology (replaces NUR210 from 2018)
MID205 Midwifery Evidence Informed Health Research
PSY202 Developmental Psychology
MID301 Women's Health
200-level Specialist Elective
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| HSC203 Perspectives of Indigenous Health | CO | MID203 Healthy Childbearing 2 | CO |
| MID101 Introduction to Midwifery Practice (CTB 2 weeks placement) | P | MID204 Professional Midwifery Practice 2 (6 weeks placement) | P |
| MID201 Healthy Childbearing 1 (requires special enrolment through eForms) | CO | MID307 Specialist Neonatal Care (3 weeks placement) | P |
| MID202 Professional Midwifery Practice 1 (CTB 6 weeks placement) (requires special enrolment through eForms) | P | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| MID302 Healthy Childbearing 3 | CO | MID305 Healthy Childbearing 4 | CO |
| MID303 Professional Midwifery Practice 3 (CTB 6 weeks placement) | P | MID306 Professional Midwifery Practice 4 (6 weeks placement) | P |
| MID304 Midwifery in Global Perspective (up to 7 weeks international clinical placement optional) | CO/P | ||
Students commencing in Semester 2
There is no semester 2 entry available for this course.
Course fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) Australian Citizenship; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident visa holder who will be resident within Australia for the duration of the unit.
2021: Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study of 80 credit points (1.0 EFTSL) for commencing students in 2021 is AUD $32,320.00.
These fees are subject to annual increases each year of your study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.
Domestic students - undergraduate studies
SATAC
Semester 1 2021 applications are now closed.
UAC
Semester 1 2021 applications are now closed.