The development of National ACMI standards for the accreditation of three-year Bachelor of Midwifery programs

Prior to 2002 Australians who wished to become midwives were expected to complete an undergraduate nursing degree and then apply for admission to a university-based post-nursing program in midwifery, usually requiring an additional year of study. Graduates were, therefore, qualified to practice in either profession. Many organisations, coalitions and individuals have contributed to the arduous struggle to ensure that midwives are educated in ways that allow them to confidently and competently fulfil their role as the World Health Organisation defines it. Indeed, in some states, universities and Nurses Boards recognising the need for multiple routes of entry to practice have introduced three-year undergraduate midwifery degrees. So far this has taken place in South Australia and Victoria but other states intend to follow this initiative.

In this paper the background to the development of the ACMI National Bachelor of Midwifery Taskforce and the midwifery Program Standards will be discussed. A brief description of the Program Standards is presented to show how they can be used to ensure that 21st century midwives are capable of competently and confidently responding to the changing needs of maternity service providers and consumers. Finally, the authors argue that it is crucial that employers and clinicians have access to a standardised, objective means to evaluate midwifery programs, and believe that the Standards provide the means to do this.