Become a midwifery leader.
Applications now open
From teaching and research to management and advanced clinical practice, move into the next stage of your midwifery career through specialised study.
- Study as you work with this flexible and fully online degree.
- Develop an advanced skillset in continuity of care, advocacy, collaborative maternity care, and legal accountability.
- Tailor your course with specialisations in advanced clinical, education, management and leadership, and research.
- Graduate ready to become a leader in your field of practice.
Entry requirements and pathways
Academic entry requirement
Prerequisites
Applicants with industry experience will also be considered.
At least one year's post-registration acute medical/surgical nursing experience. (Exceptions can be made to course admission processes in terms of years of acute experience as a Registered Nurse with thorough evaluation of particular circumstances in conjunction with support from the MPE placement provider. Eg: applicants who have completed their nursing degree via an Enrolled Nurse pathway with 12 months of experience as an Enrolled Nurse in an acute setting.)
Specialisation - compulsory: Nursing
Successful completion of an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent). (Applicants who have become registered nurses via a hospital education pathway may have this requirement waived.)
A place in this program is dependent upon the applicant having a clinical place at an approved clinical midwifery agency in either the metropolitan or regional areas.
Applicants must have current registration as a Registered Nurse with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Selection criteria
Applicants must supply their resumé
All applicants must complete and submit a Personal Statement.
Note: Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.
Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS)
For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS)
Credit for previous study (advanced standing)
Credit for previous study (advanced standing) is the recognition of prior study or learning that can be counted towards a qualification. This can reduce the number of subjects required to complete your course. The amount of credit received depends on the level and relevance of your previous study and the number of subjects completed.
The University will designate courses where there is only admission into Year 1 of the course. In these cases, there is limited credit. See list of limited entry courses.
To check if this course is available for credit, please visit the Advanced standing webpage.
Pathways
There are currently no alternative Pathway courses for this course.
Use the Pathways Tool to discover other courses with pathway options available.
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
What you'll study
Work-Based Learning
Compulsory placements (Work Based Learning)
During this course, you will participate in one or more supervised Work Based Learning (WBL) placements designed to allow you to practice newly acquired skills, behaviours and knowledge while integrating theory with practice. The placements will immerse you in professional work culture, enabling you to develop and further enhance your skills. WBL provides you with the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience at one or more of our local industry partners. WBL placements will be arranged by the student in conjunction with the Placements Operation Team. The number of hours undertaken can vary considerably, depending on the requirements of the course. Students may incur additional costs and it may be necessary to travel or relocate to complete a specific placement. Please refer to the individual subject entries for more information.
See La Trobe University Handbook for more details
The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course structures, electives and options. The delivery of this course can vary between campuses.
View course information for Melbourne (Bundoora)
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Graduate Diploma in Midwifery course and career outcomes
However you choose to structure your study, La Trobe recognises your hard work. Here are the pathways you could follow as you move through your course.
Course intended learning outcomes
- Advocate for the role of the midwife, the midwifery profession and continuity of midwifery care to improve perinatal outcomes for women and families
- Provide holistic midwifery care in collaboration with the intra and interdisciplinary health care team, in order to optimise health and wellbeing of women and baby
- Perform comprehensive assessments in partnership with the woman by collecting and analysing information to plan and evaluate care
- Promote inclusive and responsive professional midwifery practice in partnership with women from diverse backgrounds with sensitivity to culture, values and beliefs and support the woman's capacity for self-determination
- Demonstrate midwifery practice that aligns with relevant legal parameters and professional standards, ethical frameworks, codes and guidelines
- Appraise and critique research evidence and apply this to midwifery practice to provide safe, high quality, woman-centred midwifery care
- Demonstrate strategies for sustainable professional practice including ongoing professional learning and development and monitoring the health and wellbeing of self and colleagues and through reflection, action and feedback
Graduate Diploma in Midwifery career opportunities
You'll be prepared to work in midwifery roles in private and public hospitals, education, community and government organisations.
Possible roles include:
- Midwife in a variety of settings including tertiary services, rural/ remote, and independent/ community
- Clinical midwifery educator
- Midwifery manager
- Midwifery researcher/ academic
Professional recognition
The Graduate Diploma in Midwifery is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC). Professional registration may require an application to the professional body and may have additional or ongoing requirements beyond the completion of the degree. Please contact the relevant professional body for details.
Questions about the course?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Fees and scholarships
Estimated course fees for domestic postgraduate students
Estimated fees per year (2026):
Indicative based on 2025 fees
$32,400 per 120 credit points.
Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) may be available.
Indicative CSP price $4,738 per 120 credit points.
Commonwealth supported places (CSP):
Please note that additional costs are incurred from Essential requirements and additional costs.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for both current and future students. Find out what La Trobe scholarship opportunities might be available to you. View all available scholarships
Note: You must first have an offer to study at La Trobe before you are eligible to apply for a La Trobe scholarship.
Scholarships that may be available for this course
La Trobe Excellence Scholarships - Domestic Students
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, City Campus, Melbourne Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future postgraduate coursework, Australian Citizen
Duration of Course
Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) Program
Albury-Wodonga Campus, Bendigo Campus, Melbourne Campus, City Campus, Mildura Campus, Shepparton Campus – Future undergraduates, 1st year undergraduates, Australian Citizen, Humanitarian Visa, New Zealand Citizen, Permanent Resident
Full time enrolment and proof of relocation will be confirmed before payment is made into the recipient's bank account.
Questions about fees and scholarships?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
How to apply
The application process can vary depending on the course.
Most postgraduate courses generally take 15 to 20 minutes.
You can apply for up to eight postgraduate courses. Please list these in order of your preference. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive an offer for your highest preference. If you change your mind, you can change your preferences through the application portal.
Check when course applications close
If you’ve undertaken study in the past, you may be able to get credit toward your new postgraduate degree. This is called ‘advanced standing’.
Once you’ve enrolled in your course, you can apply for advanced standing by lodging an advanced standing application form.
Ready to apply?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
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Overview
Key facts
| Award | Graduate Diploma in Midwifery |
|---|---|
| Start dates |
Indicative based on 2025 start dates 2 February 2026 |
| Duration | 1 year full-time |
| Available locations | Melbourne (Bundoora), Bendigo |
| Scholarships | View fees and scholarships |
| Fees |
Indicative based on 2025 fees $32,400 per 120 credit points.Note: 120 credit points represents full-time study for one year. Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) may be available. Indicative CSP price $4,738 per 120 credit points. Learn more about Fees and scholarships. |
About the Graduate Diploma in Midwifery
If you're a registered nurse with a passion for helping new parents safely navigate pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, fast-track your entry to midwifery practice with La Trobe's Graduate Diploma in Midwifery.
Our flexible 12-month course focuses on contemporary issues in Australian midwifery practice by combining lectures, workshops, labs and simulations with hands-on clinical placements in some of Melbourne and regional Victoria's most respected maternity services.
By completing La Trobe's Graduate Diploma in Midwifery, you will:
- Develop the skills and knowledge to provide best-practice, woman-centred and evidence-based midwifery care.
- Apply your skills and knowledge in a real-world clinical settings by taking advantage of La Trobe's long-standing partnerships with providers like Mercy Health, The Royal Women's Hospital, Bendigo Health, Goulburn Valley Health and Albury-Wodonga Health.
- Promote the role of the midwife and become an agent of change for maternity care reform.
- Understand the impacts of digital health in a maternity care context
- Connect with a community of practicing clinicians and world-leading researchers in women's and maternal health in the School of Nursing and Midwifery and the Judith Lumley Centre.
- Graduate eligible to apply to become a registered midwife.
- Upon completion, use your qualification to apply for our Master of Midwifery Practice.
The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 8 - Graduate Diploma.
Have questions?
Check when course applications close and find out how to apply directly.
Call 1300 135 045
Book a one-on-one
Book a consultation with us to get advice on your study options.
Ask a question
Submit a question online. We'll get back to you within the next business day.
Other courses you may like
COURSE
Graduate Diploma in Child, Family and Community Nursing
1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Melbourne (Bundoora)
COURSE | StudyFlex
Master of Nursing
2 years full-time or part-time equivalent2 years full-time
Melbourne (Bundoora), Online
COURSE
Bachelor of Nursing
3 years full-time3 years full-time
Melbourne (Bundoora), Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Mildura, Shepparton
COURSE
Bachelor of Nursing (Enrolled Nurse Pathway)
2 years full-time2 years full-time
Melbourne (Bundoora), Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Mildura, Shepparton
COURSE
Bachelor of Nursing (Graduate Entry Pathway)
2 years full-time2 years full-time
Melbourne (Bundoora), Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Mildura, Shepparton
COURSE
Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery
4 years full-time
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COURSE
Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Psychological Science
4 years full-time4 years full-time
Melbourne (Bundoora), Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo