Across Australia, rural and remote communities face a growing challenge: access to consistent, high-quality maternity care. For many women, pregnancy and birth involve long travel distances, limited local services, and uncertainty about where, and how they will give birth.
At Nurse at Call, we understand how critical midwifery care is, and we’re committed to connecting skilled, compassionate midwives with the communities that need them most.
Why Rural Maternity Services Are Under Pressure
As of early 2025, regional hospitals like Tamworth Hospital continue to experience severe midwifery staff shortages. Midwives have been working 16- to 18-hour shifts, and the hospital’s maternity unit has recently been downgraded from a level four to a level three service. This reduction means the unit can no longer manage complex pregnancies, forcing many women to travel significant distances to larger hospitals such as Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital for care.
These challenges reflect a broader issue: many rural and remote facilities struggle to recruit and retain permanent midwifery staff. As a result, existing teams are stretched thin, working long hours with limited support. This can affect not only the wellbeing of staff, but also the continuity and consistency of care that mothers receive.
Smaller facilities are often placed on bypass, care is delayed, and expectant mothers face the added burden of travelling far from home to give birth, often without the support of family or community during a critical time.
This issue was recently highlighted in a The Project segment (Channel Ten), which brought national attention to the growing number of “maternity deserts” across Australia. The program shared powerful stories of women in regional areas who are forced to drive hundreds of kilometres for maternity care, or face the prospect of giving birth without professional support. These firsthand accounts underscore the very real and immediate impact of Australia’s rural midwifery shortages.
How Nurse at Call Supports Midwifery in Rural Australia
We believe every woman deserves access to safe, skilled, and timely maternity care, no matter where she lives. That’s why Nurse at Call’s midwives are playing a crucial role in helping to fill the gaps.
Here’s how we help:
- Experienced Midwives Ready to Go
We provide fully credentialed, professional midwives who are equipped to support diverse maternity settings, including rural hospitals and clinics. - Support for Continuity and Team Stability
Our midwives help ease the pressure on permanent staff, reduce burnout, and maintain service continuity during times of high demand or staff absence. - Flexible Staffing Solutions
Whether short-term or ongoing, we tailor placements to suit the needs of both healthcare providers and midwives. - Travel and Accommodation Assistance
All travel and accommodation needs are taken care of, allowing our midwives to focus on what they do best – delivering exceptional care. - A Team That Truly Cares
From registration to placement, our team is there every step of the way, making the experience seamless and supportive for both our staff and the facilities we serve.
We’re Here to Help – Let’s Work Together
If you’re a Director of Nursing, Nursing Unit Manager, or healthcare provider needing midwifery support, or if you are a midwife looking for a meaningful opportunity to work in rural Australia, we’d love to hear from you.
We’re proud to play a role in improving maternity care access across Queensland, New South Wales, and beyond, and we’re ready to support your team too.
Midwives: Learn more and register your interest here.
Call us on 07 5578 7011
Or get in touch through our Contact page — we’re here to help.
