NMBA appoint Deakin University to develop midwife standards for practice

07 Jun 2016

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), has appointed Deakin University to develop the Midwife standards for practice.

The project will include a review of the existing National competency standards for the midwife (2006) and the development of midwife standards for practice. The project is expected to be completed in late 2017.

The current National competency standards for the midwife (2006) are the core competency standards by which a midwife’s performance is assessed to obtain and retain registration to practise in Australia.

Since these standards were published in 2006, the role and scope of practice for midwifery throughout Australia, the model of education and training, and the regulatory framework within which registration of midwives occurs, have developed substantially.

Once developed, the Midwife standards for practice will provide a framework for assessing the midwife’s competence to practise. The standards will reflect current evidence-based midwifery practice; will meet legislative requirements and will align to the other NMBA standards for practice.

NMBA Chair, Dr Lynette Cusack RN, thanked those who had responded to the tender and said the NMBA looked forward to working with Deakin University.

‘The NMBA is committed to ensuring that our midwife standards for practice are contemporary, protect the public and are suitable for midwives in all contexts of practice.

‘This project will ensure that practising midwives in Australia have clear, evidence-based standards to meet.’

For further information on the project, please contact Petrina Halloran, Policy Manager, Nursing and Midwifery, Strategy and Policy at nmbafeedback@ahpra.gov.au 

For more information

• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200
• Lodge an online enquiry form 
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 03 9275 9009 (overseas callers)  

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