Graduate Diploma of Midwifery

Pre-midwifery registration students enrolling in the course are selected by and must be contracted to a partnering maternity service. Students will be interviewed by that service and to be employed as a midwifery students, they must demonstrate compliance with all employment checks, which include at least:

• 100 point identification check
• satisfactory referee checks
• National Criminal Record Clearance and Working with Children check
• Work Health and Safety and Physical Demands Checklist
• advised their contracting unit of their immunisation status (students midwives must abide by the policies of the relevant state / contracting health facility)
• a good character and "fit for practice" as demonstrated by relevant State Health Clearance and no relevant criminal history, professional, physical or mental incapacity that would preclude them from registering as a midwifery student / registered nurse in Australia
• a good character that includes, but is not limited to, honesty and integrity, ability to maintain privacy and confidentiality, moral strength to resist opportunities for exploitation including sexual exploitation, a commitment to maintaining the reputation and standing of the profession generally, and respect for the personal and religious beliefs of others
• evidence of competency in CPR that must remain valid for the duration of enrolment in the course
• English language proficiency (as registered nurses with current authority to practice with the NMBA, all students will have demonstrated appropriate English language proficiency).

Further information regarding employment screening checks is available from NSW Health.

Non-compliance with any of the above may result in the student's employment in the contracting unit being terminated with subsequent enrolment in the course being cancelled.

Students contracted to a smaller rural maternity service are expected to undertake some of their midwifery practice experience (e.g. complex care experience) in larger maternity services away from their home community. Students, especially those employed by smaller rural units, are advised of the expectation they must be committed to undertaking midwifery practice experience with women outside and/or in addition to rostered "shifts".

As a strategy to 'close the gap' and improve health outcomes for Indigenous Australians, registered nurses who identify as being Indigenous and who are interested in becoming registered midwives are especially encouraged to apply for enrolment.

There are specific scholarships available for Indigenous students who wish to study at CSU.

CSU's Graduate Diploma of Midwifery is committed to providing personal, cultural, financial and educational support for Indigenous Australian students.

More information for Indigenous students interested in studying at CSU is available online.

CSU continues to support the Federal Government initiatives to overcome the disadvantages experienced by groups who were or still are under-represented among both university students and the midwifery profession. Read more about CSU's equity and diversity strategy.

Students from other groups under-represented in the midwifery profession include but are not limited to:

Low socio-economic status (SES): Those whose postcodes of home location fall within the lowest quartile of the population of a given catchment region, determined by the ABS Index of Education and Occupation. Other definitions of financial hardship may include eligibility for Centrelink benefits such as AUSTUDY or Youth Allowance. These are used in particular circumstances such as scholarship applications.

Rurally isolated: This is defined by a student's permanent home postcode and is categorised as one of five groups - Major City (RA1), Inner Regional (RA2), Outer Regional (RA3), Remote (RA4) or Very Remote (RA5). You can check your postcode online.

Culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds: Defined as students who were born overseas and arrived in Australian less than 10 years ago, and who speak a language other than English at home.

Students with a disability that does not affect their practice as a midwife: At the time of enrolment, students are asked to indicate on the enrolment form if they have a disability. Students are also encouraged to consult a disability liaison officer at any time during their course of study if they require assistance due to a disability. All disabilities must be appropriately documented.