How much do midwives earn in Australia?
Midwives typically earn between AUD $75,000 and $110,000 annually, with higher earnings available for senior and locum roles.
Midwife jobs across Australia and New Zealand offer strong career opportunities, competitive salaries and flexible working arrangements. With ongoing demand for skilled midwives in both metropolitan and regional healthcare settings, these roles provide the chance to build meaningful clinical experience while supporting women and families through all stages of maternity care.
Medacs Healthcare connects midwives with locum, contract and permanent roles across public hospitals, private maternity units and community healthcare services. Whether you are looking for flexible shifts, regional placements or long-term career progression, opportunities are available to match different experience levels and lifestyle preferences.
Why Midwives Choose Medacs Healthcare
Medacs Healthcare has extensive experience placing midwives across Australia and New Zealand, offering tailored support throughout the job search and placement process. The focus is on matching candidates with roles that align with both professional goals and lifestyle preferences.
Specialist Recruitment Support
Consultants understand the unique requirements of midwifery roles, including clinical expectations, compliance standards and workplace environments.
Access to Exclusive Roles
Many midwife jobs are sourced through established healthcare networks and may not be publicly advertised.
Flexible Work Options
Opportunities include locum, contract and permanent roles, allowing midwives to balance career progression with personal commitments.
Nationwide Coverage
Roles are available across major cities as well as regional and rural areas, offering a wide range of clinical experiences.
Types of Midwife Jobs Available
Midwives can choose from several employment types depending on their career stage and preferred working style.
Locum Midwife Jobs
Locum roles offer short-term placements with flexible schedules and competitive hourly rates. These roles are particularly common in regional areas where demand is high.
Permanent Midwife Roles
Permanent positions provide long-term stability, structured career pathways and opportunities to specialise within maternity services.
Contract Midwife Roles
Contract roles typically involve fixed-term placements, offering a balance between flexibility and consistency.
Work environments include:
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Public hospitals with structured maternity care programs
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Private hospitals and birthing centres
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Community-based maternity services
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Regional and rural healthcare facilities
Each setting provides different clinical exposure, from high-volume hospital environments to more personalised community care.
Midwife Salary & Demand in Australia
Midwives remain in high demand across Australia and New Zealand, driven by workforce shortages, population growth and increasing focus on maternal and neonatal care.
Typical salary ranges include:
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Registered Midwife: AUD $75,000 – $110,000 per year
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Senior Midwife / Specialist: AUD $100,000+ per year
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Locum Midwife: AUD $55 – $80+ per hour
Regional and rural roles often offer higher pay rates due to workforce shortages, along with additional benefits such as accommodation assistance and travel support.
High-demand locations include:
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Regional Queensland
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Western Australia
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Northern Territory
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Rural New South Wales
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Regional New Zealand
These areas provide strong opportunities for midwives seeking both financial benefits and broader clinical experience.
Requirements to Work as a Midwife
Working as a midwife in Australia or New Zealand requires meeting professional registration and qualification standards. These requirements ensure safe and effective care across maternity services.
Key requirements include:
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Bachelor of Midwifery or equivalent qualification
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Registration with AHPRA (Australia) or NCNZ (New Zealand)
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Relevant clinical experience in maternity care
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Compliance checks and certifications
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Right to work or visa eligibility
Understanding these requirements early can help streamline the application process. Many candidates review key steps, documentation requirements and timelines through detailed candidate FAQs before progressing further.
Where You Can Work as a Midwife
Midwife jobs are available across a wide range of locations, each offering different career and lifestyle benefits.
Australia
Opportunities are available in major metropolitan areas such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, as well as in regional and rural communities where demand is highest.
New Zealand
Midwife roles are available across urban hospitals and regional healthcare services, often with a strong focus on continuity of care and work-life balance.
Regional placements often provide additional incentives and broader clinical exposure, while metropolitan roles offer access to specialised facilities and larger healthcare teams.
For those considering relocation, it can be helpful to explore what it’s like living and working in Australia or transitioning into healthcare roles across New Zealand.
Explore Related Healthcare Jobs
Midwives often work as part of broader healthcare teams, and some professionals explore related roles depending on their qualifications and career goals.
You may also consider:
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nursing jobs for broader clinical pathways
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healthcare assistant jobs in patient care support roles
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allied health jobs across specialised healthcare disciplines
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international jobs for overseas opportunities
Exploring these related roles can help you identify opportunities that align with your skills, lifestyle preferences and long-term career direction, whether you are looking to diversify your experience or transition into a different area of healthcare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are midwives in demand in Australia?
Yes, midwives are in strong demand, particularly in regional and rural areas where workforce shortages exist.
Can overseas midwives work in Australia or New Zealand?
Yes, provided they meet registration requirements and visa eligibility criteria.
What is the difference between locum and permanent midwife roles?
Locum roles offer flexibility and higher hourly pay, while permanent roles provide stability and career progression.
Do midwife jobs include relocation support?
Some roles, particularly in regional areas, offer relocation assistance and accommodation support.
Start Your Midwifery Career Journey
Midwife jobs across Australia and New Zealand offer strong career opportunities, competitive pay and the chance to work in diverse clinical environments. Whether you are seeking flexibility or long-term progression, there are roles available to match your goals.
Browse current midwife jobs or register your interest to connect with a consultant and explore opportunities suited to your experience.
