New Midwife standards for practice take effect

01 Oct 2018

New standards for practice are now in effect for all midwives in Australia.

The Midwife standards for practice take effect today and replace the previous National competency standards for the midwife. The standards provide a framework for midwifery practice in all contexts.

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) sets the standards, codes and guidelines which together establish the requirements for professional and safe midwifery practice in Australia.

The Midwife standards for practice are seven interrelated standards which are framed within a woman-centred approach and contain criteria that specify how the standard can be demonstrated.

NMBA Chair, Associate Professor Lynette Cusack, said the new standards are evidence-based and were widely consulted on.

‘The standards are enabling and suitable for all midwives in all practice settings. They will help midwives to ensure their practice meets the contemporary standards of their profession and the trust women place in them,' Associate Professor Cusack said.

The standards can be viewed on the professional standards page of the NMBA website.

For more information

• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200
• Visit the NMBA website
• Lodge an online enquiry form
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 9275 9009 (overseas callers)