Workplace Support for Midwives

Midwifery is a rewarding yet challenging profession, where midwives often find themselves navigating complex and high-pressure situations. Whether it’s handling unexpected complications during childbirth or addressing workplace issues like pay disputes and harassment, midwives need robust support to carry out their essential work with confidence.

The Nurses Professional Association of Australia (NPAA) offers midwives that crucial support, ensuring they are never alone when facing the challenges of their profession.

Workplace Support for Midwives

Working across different healthcare settings, midwives may encounter various challenges, including:

• Pay & Rostering Issues
• Bullying & Harassment
• Workplace Health and Safety Concerns
• Complaints with the Health Ombudsman
• Patient Care Problems/Injuries

Being a member of Nurses Professional Association of Australia (NPAA) provides midwives with the assurance that they have access to experienced case managers for support and assistance, as well as Professional Indemnity Insurance should they need it.

Consider a scenario where a midwife is assisting with a complicated birth, and an unexpected incident occurs, leading to injury or even the loss of life. In such cases, the midwife may find themselves in a difficult and complex situation requiring workplace support and guidance. This can leave you feeling isolated and vulnerable.

However, with NPAA membership, midwives can rely on the expertise of our expert industrial support team and are some of Australia's best.

NPAA guarantees expert industrial support to ensure you're represented for a variety of workplace issues including Bullying, Enterprise Bargaining, pay disputes, internal disputes and more.

Our industrial officers and advocates offer advocacy, guidance on your workplace rights, emotional and workplace support, and even direct branded representation of your interests with most employers.

NPAA’s industrial team can also connect you with appropriate resources, forms, or regulators for your unique circumstances - supporting every step of the way as required.

Read how we have successfully defended members across a variety of issues.

Legal Assistance for Midwives

If your matter requires escalation to a law firm, Red Union Support Hub funds workplace-related legal advice and representation as part of your membership. NPAA regularly retains Saines Legal and more recently Red Union Law, creating an affordable and seamless experience for members.

If your matter is a non-workplace related issue, NPAA is also able to help refer you to an external legal specialist to ensure you receive the support you need.

PI Insurance for Midwives

Under section 129 of the National Law, a registered health practitioner must not practise the health profession in which the practitioner is registered unless appropriate professional indemnity insurance arrangements are in force in relation to the practitioner’s practice of the profession. - Nursing & Midwifery Board

Joining NPAA is both cost-effective and easy, giving you assurance of cover and peace of mind that you are complying with your professional obligations under the National Law.

The NPAA PII Policy covers:

• Civil liability for loss arising from any negligent act, error or omission.
• Where you are summoned to give evidence before a coronial inquest and you require legal representation.
• Defamation claims including accusations of inappropriate cultural safety practices.
• Good Samaritan acts where a nurse voluntarily renders nursing, life-saving or life-extending services at the scene of a medical emergency or whilst doing voluntary community service.

Please note PI Insurance is included as a benefit of membership. We do not sell insurance, however, if you are a contractor we can arrange discount cover through our insurance broker.

NPAA Membership Covers You Across Australia

With NPAA membership, you’re covered by our workplace support &  insurance across Australia. There's no need to join multiple unions if you’re working across states, and no need to switch unions when working interstate. The same low membership fees apply nationwide.

If you are starting at a new workplace or on a short-term/long-term contract, please email or call us to notify us of the change. This ensures we have a record on file should there be any issues. (Note: This does not apply to midwives moving within their local hospital area on a daily basis.)

There is also coverage outside of Australia (excluding Canada and the USA). This is often applicable to volunteer postings overseas.

Please contact us for confirmation if you are considering such a post.

If you’re a midwife, join NPAA today so you can focus on delivering quality patient-centred care knowing that your professional interests are safeguarded.

Why is the NPAA different? We believe that real change in healthcare STARTS with empowering frontline nurses & midwives, not bureaucrats.

We invite you to experience the support, protection, and advocacy of NPAA yourself.

Want to find out more or have a question? Get in touch with us:

Phone: 1300 263 374
Email: hotline@npaa.asn.au
Or book a meeting

Best of luck in your nursing journey!