Central Queensland University

What you'll study

This degree combines theoretical instruction, clinical simulation and supervised workplace learning to develop midwifery knowledge and skills. Core topics cover normal childbirth and midwifery practice, antenatal and postnatal care, labour and birth management, newborn assessment, lactation support and family-centred care. You will also study professional practice, ethics and legal frameworks, health promotion, pharmacology relevant to midwifery, infection control and emergency procedures.

Study commonly includes modules such as:

• Foundations of Midwifery – principles of midwifery, anatomy and physiology of pregnancy and birth.
• Antenatal Care and Health Promotion – screening, pregnancy health, psychosocial assessment and culturally safe practice.
• Intrapartum Care – labour assessment, monitoring, normal birth care and recognition of complications.
• Postnatal and Newborn Care – immediate newborn assessment, breastfeeding support and maternal recovery.
• Clinical Practice and Simulation – skills laboratories and simulation scenarios preparing for real-world placements.
• Research and Evidence in Midwifery – research methods, critical appraisal and translation of evidence into practice.
• Culturally Safe and Rural Practice – care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and service delivery in regional/remote contexts.

The course places substantial emphasis on clinical placements in a range of settings — metropolitan hospitals, birthing centres, community clinics and rural health services — so students gain hands-on experience under the supervision of registered midwives.

Entry requirements

Entry pathways typically include completion of secondary schooling (or recognised equivalent), or successful completion of a relevant diploma or bridging programme. Applicants may also be considered through mature-age or alternative entry pathways. Selection can take account of academic results, relevant healthcare experience and interview or portfolio evidence where required.

Successful applicants must meet professional and statutory requirements for clinical placements, which commonly include a national criminal history check, up‑to‑date immunisations, working with children and vulnerable people checks as applicable, and current first aid/CPR certification. International applicants should check the university’s requirements for English language proficiency and visa conditions. Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the relevant national midwifery regulator on completion of the program.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for registration and practice as midwives, working across hospital maternity units, birthing centres, community health, domiciliary services and specialised clinics. Common roles include hospital midwife, community or public health midwife, continuity-of-care midwife, birth-centre midwife and lactation consultant roles.

With experience and further study, midwives may progress to leadership, education, clinical coordination, research or policy roles, and work in specialist areas such as maternal–fetal medicine, neonatal care, Indigenous health programs or rural and remote practice. The degree also provides a pathway to postgraduate study in midwifery, nursing, public health or research degrees.

Why study at Central Queensland University

Central Queensland University has strong regional links and established partnerships with health services across Queensland, offering diverse clinical placement opportunities including rural and remote settings. The university emphasises practical, work-ready education delivered through simulated clinical skills labs and supervised placements, ensuring graduates are prepared for frontline midwifery practice.

CQU’s midwifery program focuses on culturally safe, woman‑centred care and supports small cohorts and personalised learning. Flexible delivery options for theory components, combined with intensive on‑campus skills sessions, can suit students balancing study with other commitments. The university also provides student support services for clinical placement preparation, academic skills and career development specific to health professions.