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Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
80Course code
Overview
This Graduate Diploma of Midwifery program is a pathway for Registered Nurses to study the discipline of midwifery. On successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, as a midwife.
The program has been designed to prepare midwifery students to develop the skills needed to provide safe, competent, woman-centred midwifery care to women and families. The degree combines the latest evidence-based research with contemporary midwifery practice, using a scaffolded approach, to extend students knowledge and support their skills in advocating for women and families in their care.
Practical placements
In order to complete the Graduate Diploma of Midwifery, you are required to undertake professional experience placement. This provides you with invaluable practical experience and the readiness for midwifery practice.
Continuity of care is a core element of the course so a commitment to out-of-hours and between semester clinical work is required. Students must follow 10 across the duration of the degree, seeing these women four times antenatally, being on call for birth, and seeing them twice postnatally. These requirements are in addition to placement. These experiences must be done in your local community due to the many months of a woman's journey.
It is important to be aware that:
- In order to progress in the course, you are required to attend placements.
- All placements are arranged by CDU.
- Placements are subject to availability at healthcare facilities.
- Placements may include morning, evening, night, weekend and public holiday shifts. They may be scheduled shifts or on-call shifts.
- Non-attendance at placement may only occur in extenuating circumstances which, for the purpose of placements, do not include childcare and work commitments.
Compulsory attendance
This course has compulsory simulation teaching block attendance for one week each semester, facilitated at Darwin, Alice Springs or Sydney campuses. Students are also required to undertake a professional experience placement each semester. Travel and associated costs are to be covered by students themselves. Wherever possible, students are placed according to their residential address. However this is subject to availability of placements and not guaranteed. Depending on location, students may have to travel (including interstate) for their professional experience placements.
Practical experience
Graduate Diploma of Midwifery students must complete a minimum of 720 practicum hours. In addition to the practicum hours, students must complete at least ten (10) continuity-of-care experiences.
Professional recognition
This course is currently undergoing accreditation process with the professional accreditation body. When accredited, graduates of this course will be eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
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
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Future-proof your career in healthcare with a postgraduate nursing or midwifery degree at CDU. Delivered by passionate and expert lecturers, your learning will be guided by evidence, innovation and patient-centred care.
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.
- Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Future-proof your career in healthcare with a postgraduate nursing or midwifery degree at CDU. Delivered by passionate and expert lecturers, your learning will be guided by evidence, innovation and patient-centred care.
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.
- Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
What will I study?
This is an 18-month, full-time program and will be delivered over three consecutive semesters.
Course structure
Learning and teaching will be scaffolded throughout the program beginning with the fundamentals of midwifery care in semester 1, complex midwifery care in semester 2 and midwifery emergencies in semester 3. The Graduate Diploma of Midwifery is offered in a blended study mode with lectures and tutorials online and mandatory in-person simulation blocks. There is a 40-hour mandatory simulation block at the beginning of each semester. These will be held in person on either the Darwin, Alice Springs or Sydney campuses.
To facilitate the integration of theory to practice students in this program, will undertake clinical placements, in a variety of maternity care settings.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (7 units) | 80cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 80 credit points as detailed below. MID500 Midwifery Fundamentals (5cp) |
| 80cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to 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:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Calendar Year 1 | |||
| MID500 Midwifery Fundamentals (5cp) | CO | MID503 Perinatal Mental Health (5cp) | CO |
| MID501 Supporting Families Transition to Parenthood (5cp) | CO | MID504 First Nations Health: Women & Families (5cp) | CO |
| MID502 Midwifery Practice 1 (20cp) | CO | MID505 Midwifery Practice 2 (20cp) | CO |
Calendar Year 2 | |||
| MID506 Midwifery Practice 3 (20cp) | CO | ||
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to 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:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Calendar Year 1 | |||
| MID500 Midwifery Fundamentals (5cp) | CO | ||
| MID504 First Nations Health: Women & Families (5cp) | CO | ||
| MID502 Midwifery Practice 1 (20cp) | CO | ||
Calendar Year 2 | |||
| MID501 Supporting Families Transition to Parenthood (5cp) | CO | MID503 Perinatal Mental Health (5cp) | CO |
| MID505 Midwifery Practice 2 (20cp) | CO | MID506 Midwifery Practice 3 (20cp) | CO |
Entry requirements
Quota
The Graduate Diploma of Midwifery is a highly competitive course with more applications than places available. In assessing applicants and in keeping with CDU strategic planning documents, subquotas are available to First Nations Australians, and Northern Territory residents.
Admission criteria
Applicants must:
- Hold current registration with AHPRA as a Division 1 Registered Nurse; and
- Have a completed Bachelor of Nursing, or equivalent international qualification.
Additional admission requirements
Applicants will be ranked based on subquotas and academic merit.
To be considered for the NT residency and/or First Nations subquotas, applicants must attach the required statutory declaration when submitting their application.
Essential requirements
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, annual criminal record checks and/or working with children clearances and/or fitness-to-practice requirements.
English language 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. From 2025 ALL applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application. For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
English language proficiency requirements - Domestic students
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
English language proficiency requirements - International students
Course specific English language proficiency requirements for International students are included below.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or 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 two years 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.
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
It’s a two-way education, educators here listen to us as much as we listen to them, so classroom experiences are amazing. I’ve also made a lot of friends through our regular group assignments or projects.
Farhana
CDU student
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
It’s a two-way education, educators here listen to us as much as we listen to them, so classroom experiences are amazing. I’ve also made a lot of friends through our regular group assignments or projects.
Farhana
CDU student
Course details
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about nursing at CDU
Reeya is from Nepal studying a Bachelor of Nursing at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about nursing at CDU
Reeya is from Nepal studying a Bachelor of Nursing at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
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