How is the midwife's training and practice defined in policies and regulations in Australia today?
This paper describes the current definitions of a midwife found in Australian State policies and regulations. It examines these for internal consistency and external comparability. It also discusses the links between nursing and midwifery in Australia and their influence on the midwife's practice. The basis on which midwifery training programmes are established is examined, particularly in the light of characteristics and career plans of midwifery students and the questionable cost-effectiveness of current training. The assumption that nursing leadership is necessarily satisfactory, fitting or appropriate for midwifery is challenged.