A review of midwifery legislation in Australia--history, current state & future directions

The legislative regulation of midwifery in Australia, as elsewhere, governs the practice of midwives in the profession and controls the entry of new practitioners. Legislation exists in all states of Australia, and since 1992 there have been marked changes in the nature and scope of legislated control. This paper explores the origins of midwifery regulation, the recent changes in legislation and reviews the current Acts, Ordinances & Rules governing midwifery. In doing so, it examines common themes and areas of discrepancy across the country. The implications of both are discussed in terms of present implementation and future development.