Graduate Midwife Program

Graduate Midwife Program

PROGRAM AIM

Western Health's Graduate Midwife Program aims to be stimulating, rewarding and a positive consolidation of practice as a professional Registered Midwife. We are committed to the facilitation of the continuing development of the beginning practitioner in a learning organisation. Supported by the clinical expertise of educators, clinical support midwives, colleagues,  and a structured  program. This program consists of study sessions which focus on clinical decision making and clinical skills, the management of women throughout the continuum of care and professional practice.

Eligibility
 

• Must be completing an Undergraduate degree in Midwifery or Double degree in Nursing/Midwifery in 2025
   
• Must hold a practicing certificate with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) by 2026
   
• Must not have undertaken any other Midwifery or Nursing Graduate Program
   

Program Duration
 

The Graduate Midwife Program is a 53 week program:
 

Year 1:     Early career supported program rotating across the continuum of pregnancy care. 

Year 2:     Grad + Program (Additional 12 month program) undertaking two theoretical postgraduate equivalent subjects and options for additional rotations 
 

Both years are offered at 64hrs per fortnight (0.84 FTE).

Sunshine Hospital Programs

Rotations

• Major rotations  -  Birthing and Postnatal
• Shorter rotations  -  Antenatal Clinic, Maternity Assessment Centre (MAC), Potential for Newborn Services
• Bacchus Marsh  - Joan Kirner Women's and Children's rotation – optional rotation to respective campus for 3 months
• Annual leave – 4 weeks pre allocated in program
• Minimum of two supernumerary shifts will be provided at the commencement of each new rotation

Intakes

• February - 2026
   
• April - 2026
   
• July - 2026
   
• September - 2026
   

Bacchus Marsh Programs

Bacchus Marsh Hospital provides a great opportunity to develop your skills in caring for women across the continuum. Our staff will support you on your learning journey as you strengthen your midwifery skills to deliver women centred care to women and their families. You will also develop skills to collaborate and refer within a dedicated multidisciplinary maternity team. An ideal program for those midwives who hope to work in a rural unit or in a continuity of care model in the future.

Rotations

• 9 months- Integrated Maternity Unit – includes antenatal assessment, birthing, postnatal care, antenatal clinic (supernumerary), domiciliary care (supernumerary), special care nursery (supernumerary).
• 3 months – Sunshine Hospital 

Intakes

• February – 2026; OR
• April - 2026

Click here to access the Preference Form 2026 Word Version:

Graduate Midwife Program Application Preference Form 2026 [Doc, 84KB]
 

Support

A team of Midwifery Educators, Clinical Support Midwives and ward midwives are available to guide and support in the clinical setting. Graduate program coordinator and Line managers are available for support to all graduates.

Criteria for Completion

• Satisfactory clinical hours (minimum 64hrs/fortnight)
• Completion of Clinical Objectives each rotation
• Satisfactory AMSATs and Annual Performance Development Review

• Participation in Graduate Study Days

  A certificate will be presented on successful completion of the Graduate Midwife Program

Study Days

• 2 Days orientation for all graduates at commencement of program
• 2 Graduate Midwife skills/study days
• 2 Training days (1 additional training day at Bacchus Marsh)
• 3 Allocated professional development days
• 1 Graduate study day 

These study days aim to prepare graduates for commencing in the organisation, ensure competencies are met, practice development addressed and enhance knowledge and bridge the theory to practice gap.