Midwife salary and pay rates in Australia
A midwife specialises in providing care to women during pregnancy, childbirth and throughout the postpartum period. A midwife salary varies depending on experience, location and how you choose to work, whether that be in a part-time, full-time, permanent or casual role.
In this article we’ll explore midwife salary and pay rates across Australia. We’ll also look at what factors impact how much you can earn, helping you to make informed choices about your next midwifery role or future career plans.
Midwife salary in Australia
The average salary for a midwife in Australia ranges from $76,000 to $100,000. Each state has its own method for calculating midwife pay rates. Several factors can influence an earning potential, including:
- How you choose to work: Full-time and permanent midwives receive stable salaries with benefits, while part-time midwives earn proportionate pay. Casual midwives often get higher hourly rates to compensate for the lack of benefits. Casual pay rates can increase for shifts on weekends or public holidays, offering midwives the opportunity to earn more during these times.
- Geography and population: Salaries can vary significantly between rural and urban areas. Rural or remote regions may offer additional incentives or higher pay to attract midwives to less populated areas.
- Demand for skills: The demand for midwifery skills in each area can impact salaries. Areas with a higher demand for midwives may offer higher pay to attract and retain qualified professionals.
- Local government policies: Local government policies and the level of funding for healthcare services can impact midwife salaries. Better-funded areas can afford to offer higher salaries to healthcare professionals.
- Experience and specialisation: Midwives with specialised skills or more experience tend to receive higher salaries. The availability of such professionals in a given location can also influence pay rates.
- Type and size of healthcare facilities: Larger hospitals or specialised maternity units may offer higher pay compared to smaller clinics. The complexity and volume of work in larger facilities often justify higher salaries.
Midwifery pay rates in Queensland
Midwives practising in Queensland earn an average of $85,139 per year but with huge variations in earning potential across the state. In some cases, midwives working in coastal cities can expect to earn nearly 40% more than those working in rural in-land areas. For example, the average certified midwife salary for a professional working in the urban area of Gladstone is $174,434 compared to $78,912 in Stanthorpe in the Southern Downs Region. In Brisbane, the state capital, a midwife salary can range from $100,000 to $120,000.
Midwives undertaking casual roles tend to do so for greater work life balance, fitting shifts around their priorities and travel plans. In Queensland, midwives working casual contracts typically earn between $42 and $62 per hour.
Midwifery pay rates in New South Wales
The average salary for a midwife practicing in New South Wales (NSW) is $77,462 per year. In contrast to its neighbouring state Queensland, where urban areas offer higher pay, rural areas boast the highest midwifery pay rates in NSW.
Broken Hill, a city located in the far west of the state offers the highest midwife salary, at an average pay rate of $90,540 per year. Known for its mining industry and unique outback landscape, Broken Hill is a remote urban area, which provides higher salaries to attract midwifery talent.
As the largest city in Australia and state capital of NSW, Sydney offers a wide range of healthcare facilities and opportunities. However, competition for these roles can affect salary levels. The average base salary for a midwife in Sydney is $73,539 a year.
A midwife working a casual midwifery contract in New South Wales can expect to earn between $40 and $60 per hour. In addition to the higher pay rates and flexibility, midwives working casual shift can gain a wide range of experience to support their professional development. This is a key consideration for those looking to progress and secure higher pay rates.
Midwifery pay rates in Victoria
The average midwife salary in Victoria is $76,550 per year. Affluent suburban areas with a higher cost of living, such as Werribee (average midwife salary $95,834) and Ballarat (average midwife salary $93,234), tend to offer higher midwife pay rates to compensate for increased expenses.
As with other states, rural Victorian communities often face higher demand for midwives but have a limited supply of qualified professionals to meet the needs of expectant mothers. This has seen regional areas like Bendigo (average midwife salary $89,571), and Portland (average midwife salary $84,183) to offer competitive salaries to attract and retain staff.
The places with the lowest salaries for midwives in Victoria are more urbanised, including the state capital Melbourne, which has an average base salary of $75,924. The city has a significantly higher concentration of healthcare facilities which means more competition for roles and lower salaries compared to more rural or regional areas.
Midwives working casual contracts in Victoria tend to earn between $45 to $65 per hour. However, midwives can expect a to see a difference in these rates, with rural agency midwife pay rates starting at $85 per hour for in-land postings.
Midwifery pay rates in Western Australia
The average midwife salary in Western Australia is $98,598 per year, 16% more than the national average. The highest average midwife salary in the state is 900 kilometres north of state capital Perth, in the coastal town of Carnarvon at $112,560 per year.
A further 1400 kilometres up the coast, a midwife with a permanent position in the beach resort town of Broome can expect to earn an average salary of $94,637 per year. While this is the lowest average midwife salary in Western Australia, it is still significantly higher than the average salaries for permanent midwife roles in other states.
Like midwife salaries for permanent roles, the average hourly rate for casual midwives is generally higher in the state of Western Australia. Midwife pay rates for casual contracts in public and private hospitals across the region have an average salary range from $45 to $70 per hour, making it an attractive choice for midwives looking to work flexibly in the region.
Midwifery pay rates in South Australia
The average annual salary for a midwife in South Australia is $88,845 per year, on par with the national average.
Working as a midwife in the state’s capital and largest city, Adelaide, you can expect to earn between $90,000 and $110,000 per year. However, the highest midwife salaries can be found in Bedford Park, a suburb of Adeliade, where midwives earn an average of $110,753 per year. The city with the lowest salary is Victor Harbour, a small coastal town where midwives earn an average of $84,888 per year.
Casual midwives working in South Australia can expect to earn between $40 and $60 per hour. Like other states facing a shortage of midwives, increased agency rates starting at $85 per hour can apply to regional contracts where there is high demand.
Midwifery pay rates in Tasmania
The average base salary for a midwife on the island state of Tasmania is $77,979 per year, 8% lower than the national average. Located 240 kilometres to the south of the Australian mainland, Tasmania generally has a lower cost of living which sees employers adjust pay rates to align with local expenses.
As the capital city of Tasmania, Hobart offers a range of healthcare facilities and opportunities for midwives with an average salary of $78,159 per year. Midwives in Lenah Valley, a suburb of Hobart, earn slightly more with an average salary of $81,211 per year.
As with the rest of Australia, a midwife’s salary is affected not only by location but the type of contract, whether permanent, part time, casual or temporary. The hourly rate for midwives working casual contracts ranges from $38 to $58 per hour. Known for its good work life balance and picturesque beauty, Tasmania is considered an excellent destination to build midwifery skills and experience.
What is the lowest salary for a midwife in Australia?
Victoria has the lowest average salary for a midwife, compared to the other states, at $76,550 per year. This can be attributed to the fact Victoria, especially Melbourne, has many healthcare facilities, leading to more competition for midwifery roles and driving salaries down compared to less populated areas. While areas like Werribee and Ballarat offer higher salaries to offset the higher cost of living, the overall average is likely lower due to the competitive urban job market.
The lowest salary for casual midwifery work is in Tasmania at $38 to $58 per hour, likely due to lesser demand than the more populated parts of the mainland.
For both permanent and casual work, newly qualified midwives with limited experience typically start at the lower end of the salary scale. Entry-level positions often come with lower pay due to the need for further training and development. While the initial salary for newly qualified midwives may be modest, there is substantial potential for salary growth as they advance in their skills and experience.
What is the highest salary for a midwife in Australia?
The highest salary for a midwife in Australia can be found in Western Australia with an average salary of $98,598 per year. The highest average salary for a midwife working a casual contract is in Queensland between $42 to $62 per hour. However, there is potential for increased rates for midwives who take advantage of increased rural rates, and those opting to work weekends and public holidays nationwide.
As midwifery professionals gain experience, their salaries can increase significantly. This progression is often structured through a series of pay points or increments that midwives can reach throughout their careers. These pay points are usually tied to years of service, additional qualifications and experience.
For example, a midwife might start with a base salary but see increases as they complete further training, take on more responsibilities or move into specialised roles. Midwives who take on leadership positions or work in high-demand areas may also see higher pay rates. Healthcare pay points will differ in each state but in general, these systems seek to encourage continuous professional development and reward midwives for their dedication and expertise.
Explore the latest midwifery opportunities in Australia
Are you looking for your next midwifery position? Australia offers a wealth of opportunities for midwives, from urban hospitals to rural clinics. Whether you're looking for a permanent position or a flexible casual contract, we can help you find the perfect role for you. Search midwifery jobs or register your interest to take your next steps in a rewarding midwifery career.
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