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The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) carries out 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.
The Safety and quality guidelines for privately practising midwives (the guidelines) are intended to protect the public through a robust regulatory framework for privately practising midwives (PPMs). The guidelines provide PPMs with clarity and support to practise their role with safety and quality, while facilitating workforce flexibility and access to services.
This fact sheet provides guidance regarding the Safety and quality guidelines for privately practising midwives.
The guidelines replace the existing framework and set out:
1Sections 129 and 284 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law as in force in each state and territory
The key features to the guidelines are:
Based on the feedback received during the consultation on the guidelines it was considered that the PPRP was best placed in the guidelines.
The NMBA has the discretion to select a random number of midwives to be audited at any time. You will need to provide evidence that you have met the requirements of the Safety and quality guidelines for privately practising midwives. The guidelines section ‘Audit of practice’ details the evidence needed to meet the requirements of the guidelines. The guidelines set these out clearly in table format according to the registration status and context of practice for the PPM. For further information, please see the ‘Table of evidentiary requirements for PPMs’ provided in the guidelines.