This report, co-authored by Burnet Institute, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, Curtin University, University of Technology Sydney, examines the current and future challenges facing Australia's midwifery workforce, including shortages, burnout, and attrition, alongside a declining representation in rural and remote areas. Key recommendations highlight the need to increase visibility, governance, and leadership within the profession, scale up continuity models of midwifery care, and expand the workforce by improving training, retention, and support for diverse midwifery pathways. The report advocates for culturally safe practices, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and calls for a National Midwifery Strategy. Key findings emphasize urgent reforms needed for the workforce's sustainability and for ensuring equitable, high-quality maternity care across Australia.
Authors
Caroline Homer, Kirsten Small, Chanelle Warton, Zoe Bradfield, Kathleen Baird, Jennifer Fenwick, Joanne Gray, Melanie Robinson
Related Organizations
- Pages
- 136
- Published in
- Australia
Table of Contents
- Table of Contents 2
- Table of Contents 3
- Table of Contents 4
- Table of Contents 5
- Increased visibility governance and leadership 8
- Growing the midwifery workforce 8
- Midwifery Futures 8
- Support the midwifery workforce 9
- Improve data to support workforce planning 9
- Scale-up midwifery models of care 9
- Executive Summary 10
- Recommendations 12
- Chapter 1 Introduction 17
- 1.1 Aims of Midwifery Futures 18
- 1.2 The operating context influencing the Australian midwifery workforce 19
- Midwifery Continuity Of Care 25
- 1.3 The international context for midwifery in Australia 32
- Chapter 2 Midwifery Futures Project Governance and Methods 35
- 2.1 Governance 2.2 Methods 36
- 2.3 Conclusion 43
- Chapter 3 Findings 45
- 3.1 What does the future look like for Australian midwifery 46
- Supporting rural and remote based midwives to provide quality care 50
- 3.2 Looking back to build a better future 61
- Woman at the Centre The North West Maternity Services Transition Project 63
- The Midwifery Graduate Research Intern Program 64
- Endorsed midwife prescribing in the public sector 65
- Midwife-led early pregnancy care 67
- Endorsed midwives employed to provide continuity of carer in the public sector 68
- 3.3 Educating for the future 70
- Midwifery student led clinic 70
- 3.4 Investing in the future recently qualified midwives 75
- 3.5 Other ways to build the future workforce 77
- Clinical midwife to midwifery-researcher enabling the journey 77
- 3.6 Ensuring an equitable future 79
- Birthing on Country Privately Endorsed Midwives Access to Public Hospitals 79
- Birthing in Our Community Private Midwife and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation collaboration 80
- Midwives delivering sexual and reproductive health care for rural women 82
- 3.7 A view to better futures 83
- 3.8 Leaders for the future 84
- 3.9 Conclusion 85
- Chapter 4 Problems and workforce levers 87
- 4.1 Key problems and challenges 88
- 4.2 Workforce levers 97
- 4.3 Conclusion 97
- Chapter 5 Solutions and recommendations 99
- 5.1 Key issues to address 100
- 5.2 Recommendations 111
- Appendices 115
- Appendix A The Role of Midwifery in the First 2000 days 116
- Appendix B GENKE II report 2022 recommendations 119
- Appendix C National Midwifery Futures Symposium Attendee Recommendations 120
- Appendix D What is an endorsed midwife 122
- Appendix E Glossary 123
- Appendix F Author Transparency Statements 124
- Appendix G Governance group membership 126
- References 128
- References 129
- References 130
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- References 134
- References 135
