Graduate Certificate in Primary Maternity Care

In the context of primary maternity care, graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Primary Maternity Care will have advanced and developed knowledge of:

1. the role of the health care professional in advanced practice within the midwifery reform agenda from a political and professional context
2. the scientific and theoretical basis for the development of women centered models of care
3. the development and management of women and family centered care focusing on the wellness model
4. the multiple legal, social, ethical, organisational and scope of practice implications and considerations for effective and informed advanced midwifery practice and professional role development
5. contemporary concepts of leadership and management relevant to primary health services including professional standards, policies and legislation
6. research and evidence-base knowledge that informs quality and evidence based practice
7. cultural diversity and its impact on practice.

Advance your expertise in maternity care. Designed for experienced clinicians, this graduate certificate equips you with the knowledge and leadership skills to contribute to emerging, evidence-based models of care that place women and families at the centre of the maternity experience.

Please note: Successful completion of this program does not lead to eligibility to apply for registration as a midwife. Prospective students seeking registration should refer to the [[1354]].

Highlights of studying the Graduate Certificate in Primary Maternity Care

• Develop an advanced understanding of the philosophy and principles that underpin primary maternity care.
• Explore innovative and sustainable models of maternity service design used across Australia and internationally.
• Learn from experts and researchers driving reform in maternity care and policy development.
• Strengthen skills to deliver culturally safe and equitable care in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Build the prescribing knowledge and skills required for midwives and meet the education requirement for NMBA endorsement for scheduled medicines (endorsement application required separately).

Build the skills to lead and transform care 

Through courses in leadership and healthcare transformation, you'll enhance your ability to drive innovation and lead positive change in maternity care. By examining new approaches to service delivery, you'll graduate with the confidence to design, evaluate and implement best-practice maternity models that promote continuity of care and improved outcomes for women and families.

Work across communities 

Our coursework is grounded in evidence-based models that emphasise cultural safety, social justice and community responsiveness. This means you'll graduate prepared to deliver tailored maternity care across a range of settings - from urban hospitals and private practices to rural, remote and Indigenous communities.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• Primary Maternity Care in Context
• Working with First Peoples Communities 
• Changing Childbirth: Service Design and Implementation
• Prescribing for Midwives

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

For the award of Graduate Certificate in Primary Maternity Care (GCertPrimaryMaternityCare), you must successfully Complete 40 credit points comprising:

• 40 credit points for all Foundation Module

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $4,000

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying part-time, which is typically 4 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

18

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20

To be eligible for this program, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher) in a related discipline
• a combination of alternative admission criteria specified in the Prior Experience Application

Related disciplineincludes midwifery, medicine, nursing or social work.

Prior Experience Application is a procedure for registered midwives who do not have an undergraduate qualification. The School of Nursing and Midwifery has instituted a Recognition of Prior Experience (RPE) procedure for registered midwives who do not have an undergraduate qualification. Applicants will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate eligibility requirements. The School of Nursing and Midwifery will determine eligibility for admission into the requested program based on application, curriculum vitae and referee reports.

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 7.0 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 7.0
• OR a minimum score of 580 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 92 (no score less than 22)
• OR no score less than 4 in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 185 (no score less than 176) on C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 65 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 65.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) pathway is not accepted for this program.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.