Midwifery remains one of the most essential and in-demand professions within Australia’s healthcare system.
As maternity services face growing pressure from population growth and workforce shortages, demand for qualified midwives remains strong across both the public and private sectors.
Australia’s healthcare workforce is currently experiencing persistent shortages across many clinical roles, including nursing and midwifery. These shortages are expected to continue for years, with projections indicating significant workforce gaps if training pathways and recruitment strategies do not expand.
For midwives, this environment has created a favourable employment market for candidates seeking permanent roles. Hospitals and maternity services are increasingly competing to attract experienced staff, with employers focusing not only on salary but also on workplace culture, professional development opportunities, and flexible rostering models to attract and retain talent.
Several structural trends are also shaping the midwifery job market in 2026:
- Growing demand for maternity services
Population growth and sustained birth rates continue to drive demand for maternity services across metropolitan and regional Australia. This is particularly evident in public hospital systems where staffing ratios and patient demand require ongoing recruitment of midwives. - Shortages driving career mobility
Workforce shortages mean midwives have increased career mobility, with many able to choose between public hospitals, private maternity services, community programs, and travel or agency work. This flexibility is contributing to competitive hiring conditions across the sector. - Focus on workforce sustainability
Healthcare organisations are increasingly investing in structured graduate programs, mentoring, and leadership development pathways to ensure a sustainable pipeline of midwifery professionals and reduce burnout among early-career clinicians. - Regional incentives and workforce distribution
Regional and remote healthcare services continue to offer higher salaries, relocation assistance, and additional benefits to attract midwives where shortages are most acute. - Overall, the permanent employment outlook for midwives in 2026 remains strong. Candidates with postgraduate training, specialised skills, or experience in high-acuity maternity services are particularly well positioned to secure competitive salaries and career advancement opportunities.
Average Midwife Salary by State (Australia)
The table below outlines the typical base salaries for Registered Midwives across Australia based on the 2026 HCA Salary Guide. Salaries shown represent the typical midpoint salary for permanent roles, with ranges varying depending on experience, employer type, and location.
| State | Registered
Midwife |
Typical Salary Range | Clinical Midwife Specialist | Typical Salary Range |
| ACT | $94,000 | ($83K – $110K) | $111,000 | ($107K – $120K) |
| NSW | $92,000 | ($80K – $113K) | $117,000 | ($100K – $140K) |
| NT | $115,000 | ($110K – $120K) | $149,000 | ($145K – $156K) |
| QLD | $92,000 | ($82K – $105K) | $113,000 | ($92K – $115K) |
| SA | $90,000 | ($80K – $105K) | $100,000 | ($85K – $115K) |
| TAS | $94,000 | ($83K – $110K) | $110,000 | ($107K – $115K) |
| VIC | $90,000 | ($77K – $102K) | $111,000 | ($105K – $120K) |
| WA | $90,000 | ($77K – $102K) | $109,000 | ($94K – $124K) |
| National Avg. | $95,000 | $115,000 |
Download the full Salary Guide for 2026.
National Average Salary (Registered Midwife) is around $95,000 and a Clinical Midwife Specialist is around $115,000 although ranges vary by state, setting and allowances.
Key Takeaways
- Typical midwife salaries range between $80,000 and $115,000, depending on experience and location.
- Northern Territory roles often offer the highest base salaries, reflecting regional workforce shortages and incentives.
- Additional earnings can come from shift loadings, on-call allowances, and salary packaging, which may significantly increase total take-home pay.
Whether you are seeking professional growth, lifestyle change, or long-term career stability, we are here to support you every step of the way. If you are ready to take the next step, contact Healthcare Australia today.
