University of South Australia

Nursing and Midwifery

Interested in Nursing and Midwifery?

Nurses and midwives make up the largest sector in Australia's health workforce1, delivering care at critical times in people's lives.

The healthcare industry is constantly changing with new technologies and approaches to care. As Australia’s population changes, demand for nurses and midwives is expected to grow further over the next decade.1 UniSA's nursing and midwifery programs are evolving with these changes, ensuring you'll graduate career ready.

UniSA's Bachelor of Nursing offers you an industry-relevant, practical qualification with 1,000 hours of nursing placements from your first year of study.

Our Bachelor of Midwifery will have you actively involved in a minimum of 30 births, as well as in the pre- and post-birth care of at least 100 women. You'll also follow 15 women through their pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal journeys.

Both the Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Midwifery are available to study at our City East, Mount Gambier and Whyalla campuses.

We offer postgraduate qualifications recognised Australia-wide. From graduate certificate level, through to advanced masters degrees,  with both clinical and research pathways available depending on your interests. Your studies will be supported by internationally-renowned researchers, with our research focused on outcomes relevant to the clinical translation of national health priorities and and ranked well above world-class in both nursing and midwifery2

Also available are a range of professional certificates in areas such as allergy nursing, to bolster your formal qualifications and support life-long learning.

This is your opportunity to have a positive impact on health outcomes, to advance your leadership skills, and to influence clinical practice and policy.

¹Commonwealth of Australia, Nurses and Midwives in Australia, 2020.

Key features

  • Study at a university ranked in the World Top 100 for nursing.1

  • Join the No.1 university in Australia for campus facilities2 in nursing.
  • Study degrees based on well above world-class research in midwifery and nursing.3

  • Embark on placements from your first year and experience what it’s like to work as a midwife or nurse in clinical settings.

  • Enjoy the flexibility of online and on-campus learning, with digital learning resources available to you 24/7.

  • Learn in our unique, clinician-led, authentic simulated hospital and health service on campus with expert clinical and academic staff.

12022 QS Subject Rankings. 2ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2019-20 – Learning Resources Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities. 32018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).

Why UniSA?

UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people.1 As one of the World’s Top Young Universities2, we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.

Our enterprising spirit has made UniSA a renowned centre of innovation in the sectors driving Australia's future forward, including health. UniSA’s nursing and midwifery qualifications prepare you to deliver the highest quality care to individuals and groups, as well as meet and respond to Australian and international health challenges and priorities.

You’ll do much of your learning in UniSA's unique clinician-led, simulated hospital and health services on campus, which are some of the most advanced in the state. In fact, we ranked No. 1 in SA for campus facilities in nursing.3

One of the benefits of our strong nursing history is the ability to attract and retain internationally renowned researchers. Our above world-class research in midwifery and nursing4 focuses on outcomes relevant to the clinical translation of national health priority areas, where we can demonstrate improved health outcomes, consumer satisfaction and economic savings.

We’re home to the Rosemary Bryant AO Research Centre and the Suicide Prevention Research and Education Group. Both pioneer the important role of the nursing and midwifery professions in the health system to improve lives across the health continuum. You'll also benefit from UniSA's extensive clinical alliances with all local health networks, major hospitals, private health providers, rural health networks, aged care services and mental health services, including the not-for-profit sector.


1UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. 2Ranked #52, 2023 THE Young University Rankings. 3ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2019-20 – Learning Resources Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities. 42018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 

UniSA offers the following Nursing and Midwifery degrees

Choose your level of study

Short programs

Are you after a career change or looking to upgrade your existing skills? Or perhaps you just have an interest in a particular subject area and want to further your experience, skills and knowledge. We offer a suite of short programs that will allow you to build your knowledge and skill set.

Designed in collaboration with expert academics, program content is industry-relevant and up-to-date. Short programs include:

World-class partners for a world-class university

We are a globally connected university with over 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement.

SA Health logo

Your career

Registered Nurses contribute to the patient care imperative across a wide variety of healthcare settings, such as:

  • hospitals
  • primary health and community support services
  • aged and rehabilitative care 
  • schools
  • home care
  • drug and alcohol treatment centres
  • community health organisations
  • mental health services
  • international aid agencies
  • corrections facilities
  • management
  • research

Registered Midwives are at the forefront of maternal care in Australia, working in multidisciplinary healthcare teams in settings, such as:

  • community services
  • public or private hospitals
  • rural and remote healthcare
  • home-based services
  • health agencies
  • midwifery education
  • research
Your Career

Global networks

As a globally connected university, our staff and students come from over 90 countries. We have more than 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement. Our students have completed placements and internships with organisations like:

  • Royal Adelaide Hospital
  • Calvary Health Care SA
  • Flinders Medical Centre
  • Women’s and Children’s Health Network
  • Lyell McEwin Hospital
  • Adelaide and Country Mental Health Services
  • Helping Hand Aged Care
  • Disability SA

Industry facts

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Employment for midwifery and nursing professionals in Australia is projected to increase by 56,100 (16.2%) by November 2025.

Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2020

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To November 2025, healthcare and social assistance is projected to make the largest contribution to employment growth in Australia – an increase of 249,500 jobs.

Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2020

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Employment for Registered Nurses in Australia is projected to increase by 46,500 (15.6%) by November 2025.

Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2020

 

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What others are saying

The authentic simulated settings are great because you are able to put theoretical knowledge into practice in a clinical setting.

Robyn Warner-Todd

Bachelor of Nursing

Robyn Warner-Todd

Robyn Warner-Todd

Bachelor of Nursing

I loved learning from Registered Nurses who taught from experience, not just books. They demonstrated first-hand how the profession is progressing.

Ella Head

Bachelor of Nursing

Ella Head

Ella Head

Bachelor of Nursing

Being a nurse allows me to build bonds with patients and their relatives and gives me a sense of achievement and satisfaction by helping improve patients’ health conditions.

Amber Jenkins

Bachelor of Nursing

Amber Jenkins

Amber Jenkins

Bachelor of Nursing

My involvement in the rural health club at university provided me with a different view into the health care system and offered great networking opportunities around Australia.

Martins Strikis, Registered Nurse, Mount Gambier Community Mental Health Service

Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing

Martins Strikis.jpg

Martins Strikis, Registered Nurse, Mount Gambier Community Mental Health Service

Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing

I am the inaugural recipient of the Gwendoline Dinah Henderson Annual Midwifery Scholarship, named in honour of a highly decorated WW2 nurse who hoped to support regional and rural nurses to undertake midwifery training. This scholarship has helped me cover costs whilst on clinical placements, being placed in both metropolitan and regional hospitals where I gained a wonderful insight into a range of incredible experiences. 

Rosie Wallace

Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Midwifery
Registered Nurse | Port Pirie Hospital

Rosie Wallace

Rosie Wallace

Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Midwifery
Registered Nurse | Port Pirie Hospital

Staff who have upskilled with postgraduate study really shine through as motivated workers. We often employ people with postgraduate qualifications in our managerial positions as they have equipped themselves with those extra specialised skills.

Jo Boylans

Director of Operations | Southern Cross Care

Jo Boylans.jpg

Jo Boylans

Director of Operations | Southern Cross Care

Why study at UniSA?

As one of the most innovative universities in Australia and Asia, there are many reasons to study with us. Here are just three:

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Accessible, helpful and flexible

We have six campuses, a 24/7 online learning environment, and we offer flexible study options like online and evening courses.

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Graduate success

UniSA is South Australia's number one university for graduate careers.*
*ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-21 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.

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A five star university

Five stars for research, employability, teaching, facilities, internationalisation, inclusiveness and innovation*
*2022 QS Stars Ratings