This International Day of the Midwife, the Tasmanian Government is paying tribute to the midwives across our State who play a vital role in supporting women, babies and families throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, said Tasmania's midwives demonstrate extraordinary dedication, skill, and compassion.
"Every day, Tasmania's midwives walk alongside women and families during some of the most important moments in their lives. They provide not just clinical expertise, but emotional support, advocacy and continuity that makes a profound and lasting difference," Minister Archer said.
"On behalf of the Government, I want to sincerely thank our midwives for their unwavering commitment to safe, compassionate and high quality care."
The theme for International Day of the Midwife 2026 is 'One million more midwives', which provides a timely opportunity to highlight the government's ongoing investment in strengthening Tasmania's maternity workforce through the Midwifery Matters: Tasmanian Midwifery Workforce Strategy 2025–2030.
The Strategy provides a clear roadmap to build a sustainable, skilled and supported midwifery workforce through initiatives including:
* Re-establishing local midwifery education;
* Expanding continuity of care models so more families can access relational, evidence based care;
* Strengthening clinical capability and supporting full scope midwifery practice;
* Enhancing workplace culture, leadership and retention; and
* Improving access and equity for rural, regional, Aboriginal and culturally diverse communities
"Midwifery Matters is about ensuring that every midwife in Tasmania feels valued, supported and able to work to their full scope and that every woman has access to safe, individualised care," Minister Archer said.
Minister Archer said that supporting midwives is central to strengthening outcomes for Tasmanian women and families.
"When we invest in midwives, we invest in safer births, stronger families, and healthier communities. Today, on International Day of the Midwife, we recognise and celebrate the critical contribution midwives make across our health system," Minister Archer said.
