Close
Download a copy of the Fact sheet: Code of conduct for nurses and Code of conduct for midwives (168KB)
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) undertakes functions as set by the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory (the National Law). The NMBA regulates the practice of nursing and midwifery in Australia, and one of its key roles is to protect the public. The NMBA does this by developing registration standards, professional codes, guidelines and standards for practice which together establish the requirements for the professional and safe practice of nurses and midwives in Australia.
Registration as a nurse and/or midwife requires you to meet the NMBA’s mandatory registration standards and to practise within the relevant NMBA-approved standards, codes, guidelines and frameworks.
This fact sheet provides guidance about the Code of conduct for nurses and Code of conduct for midwives (the codes).
The Code of conduct for nurses and Code of conduct for midwives have the following features:
The glossary is also important to understanding the meaning of key terms used in the codes.
The codes have been modelled on the multi-profession shared code of conduct used by most registered health professions.
As a part of public consultation, the NMBA specifically sought stakeholders’ views on having combined or separate codes of conduct for nurses and midwives. The NMBA’s original position was to maintain separate codes and this was supported by feedback in the public consultation. However, the NMBA has made a commitment in the future to consider the inclusion of nursing and midwifery in the multi-profession shared code of conduct.
If you hold dual registration as a nurse and a midwife, both codes apply to you.
Yes. The NMBA codes are used in the regulation of all nurses and midwives in Australia and therefore all nurses and/or midwives must comply with the codes. Most organisations also have their own code of conduct to which employees must comply for employment and industrial purposes.
Yes. The principles of the codes apply to all types of nursing and midwifery practice in all contexts. This includes any work where a nurse and/or midwife uses nursing and/or midwifery skills and knowledge, whether paid or unpaid, clinical or non-clinical. This includes work in the areas of clinical care, clinical leadership, clinical governance responsibilities, education, research, administration, management, advisory roles, regulation or policy development. The codes also apply to all settings where a nurse and/or midwife may engage in these activities, including face-to-face, publications, or via online or electronic means.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience poorer health outcomes than non-Indigenous peoples.
Cultural safety is a proven way for nurses and midwives to contribute to better health outcomes and experiences for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Cultural safety is recognising the ways you can provide care that meets Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples’ needs and reflect on the ways that your own culture and assumptions might impact on the care you give.
When nurses and midwives challenge beliefs based on bias or assumption, and work in partnership with people and communities, they contribute to better healthcare experiences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Many nurses and midwives will already be practising cultural safety, even if they have not heard of the term. The codes guide all nurses and midwives on cultural safety.
The NMBA worked in partnership with the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwives (CATSINaM), who provided expert advice and evidence on cultural safety.
The codes provide guidance around the key principles of culturally safe and respectful practice. These principles are about respecting and acknowledging different cultures, beliefs, identities and experiences and practising in a way that takes these differences into account.
Culturally safe and respectful practice requires nurses and midwives to challenge bias and beliefs based on assumption, such as assumptions based on gender, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, age or political beliefs.
All elements of the review process (including the research, notification analysis and consultation) recommended that the NMBA include a specific section on bullying and harassment. The NMBA acted on the evidence and has clearly stated in the codes that bullying and harassment is not acceptable and should not be tolerated.
However, in most circumstances, issues relating to bullying and harassment should be managed by the employer as a performance issue. It is only in circumstances where cases of bullying and harassment directly affect public safety that a notification to the NMBA, Nursing and Midwifery Council in New South Wales, or the Health Ombudsman in Queensland is required.