Protecting the right to informed choice in birth
We advocate for the fundamental right of every person to make informed decisions about their body, their care and their birth.
Why We Exist
Across Australia, families are navigating a maternity system that does not always meet their needs.
Some choose to birth within the system.
Some seek alternative models of care.
Some choose to give birth outside the medical system as an informed and intentional decision.
All deserve respect.
Birth Autonomy Australia exists to ensure families are represented in maternity policy conversations and that informed choice and autonomy remain protected.
This will take 10–15 minutes.
Your voice matters.
Take Action Before 5 June 2026
Homebirth access and private midwifery pathways are under pressure.
There are two critical NMBA (Nursing and Midwifery Board AHPRA) consultations open right now that may impact private midwifery, homebirth access and endorsement pathways in Australia.
Both close for submissions on Friday 5 June 2026.
You can respond to one or both — but if you care about homebirth access, we strongly encourage you to respond to both.
Consultation 1.
Private midwifery and homebirth access
Safety + Quality Guidelines for Privately Practising Midwives
This consultation relates to privately practising midwives and reflects the ending of the professional indemnity insurance exemption for intrapartum homebirth care. This matters because insurance requirements may affect which midwives can provide private homebirth care and how accessible homebirth remains in practice.
You can also email your response to:
Suggested subject line:
Submission: Safety and Quality Guidelines for Privately Practising Midwives
Consultation 2.
Endorsement pathway for midwives
Endorsement for Scheduled Medicines for Midwives
This consultation relates to the endorsement standard and guidelines for midwives, including proposed changes to endorsement requirements. This matters because endorsement pathways can affect how many private midwives are able to access the insurance arrangements needed to support homebirth.
You can also email your response to:
Suggested subject line:
Submission: Endorsement for Scheduled Medicines for Midwives
2. Copy and Personalise Your Submission
You may wish to submit to both consultations.
You can use the same core concerns, but change the opening line depending on which consultation you are responding to.
Personal responses are powerful. Add your own experience as a mother, midwife, birthworker, student midwife, family member, community member or ally.
Opening line for Consultation 1
I am responding to the consultation on the Safety and Quality Guidelines for Privately Practising Midwives because I am concerned about the real-world impact on private midwifery care and homebirth access in Australia.
Opening line for Consultation 2
I am responding to the consultation on Endorsement for Scheduled Medicines for Midwives because I am concerned about whether endorsement pathways are workable, accessible and supportive of private midwifery care.
Submission body
Women need real access to birth choices, not choices that only exist on paper.
If private midwives face insurance barriers, endorsement barriers or unworkable requirements, the practical result may be fewer midwives available to support homebirth.
This may disproportionately affect rural, regional and remote communities, where access is already limited.
I ask the NMBA to consider:
the real-world impact on homebirth access
the impact on rural and regional families
the need for workable endorsement pathways for midwives
the importance of continuity of care
the risk of reducing relationship-based options for women
the importance of women’s autonomy in birth
Reducing access to private homebirth care will not stop women from birthing outside hospitals.
It may simply mean more women birth without the support they would have chosen.
Any regulatory change should expand access to respectful, woman-centred midwifery care — not restrict it.
Kind regards
[Name]
[State/Territory]
3. Write to your MP
This is separate from the NMBA submissions, but it helps create political pressure.
You can write to your local MP and ask them to pay attention to homebirth access, private midwifery pathways and birth autonomy.
MP letter template
Subject: Urgent concern: Homebirth access and private midwifery care in Australia
Dear [MP name],
I am writing as a constituent who is deeply concerned about the future of homebirth access and private midwifery care in Australia.
Current regulatory and insurance changes may significantly affect the ability of privately practising midwives to support women choosing homebirth, particularly in rural, regional and remote communities.
Women deserve genuine birth choices. Not theoretical choices. Not choices that exist only on paper. Real access to midwives, continuity of care, homebirth and respectful support.
If private homebirth becomes harder to access, some women may be left with no acceptable supported option. This does not improve safety. It increases isolation and reduces visibility.
I am asking you to:
support genuine access to homebirth in Australia
protect private midwifery pathways
listen to women, families and midwives affected by these changes
recognise birth autonomy as an important issue for women’s health, safety and rights
Women should not be funnelled into hospital birth because every other pathway has been made too difficult to access.
I urge you to raise this issue and support policies that expand, rather than restrict, access to woman-centred midwifery care.
Kind regards,
[Name]
[Suburb / Electorate]
4. Join the Birth Autonomy Australia network
We are building a national network of women, mothers, midwives, birthworkers and allies who care about protecting birth autonomy in Australia.
Join the network to receive action steps, updates and ways to respond as this unfolds.
Birth Is A Healthcare Decision
Birth is not one size fits all.
Families make decisions on based personal values, cultural beliefs, previous experiences, understanding of risk and a desire for autonomy and privacy.
For many, giving birth outside the medical system is not a last resort - it is a deeply considered and positive choice.
A safe maternity system must recognise and respect diverse decisions.
What We Advocate For
- Protection of informed consent and informed refusal
- Respectful, trauma informed maternity care
- Access to continuity of midwifery care
- Clear distinction between clinical care and peer support
- Inclusion of families in maternity policy and research
Current Concerns
Across Australia, legislation is being considered that may restrict or criminalise non-clinical birth support provided outside the registered health workforce.
While safety is essential, removing support does not remove choice.
Families will continue to make diverse birth decisions - and when support is driven underground, risk can increase.
Policy must be balanced, thoughtful and informed by lived experience.
A Balanced Approach
We support a harm-reduction approach to maternity care that prioritises:
- open communication
- access to information
- respectful engagement
- collaborative care pathways
Better outcomes are achieved when families feel safe to speak openly - not when they fear judgement or consequences.
Share Your Experience
Lived experience matters in shaping maternity policy.
If you would like to share your story - anonymously or with your name - you can do so here.
Stay Connected
Join our network to receive updates, advocacy work and opportunities to be involved.
Birth Autonomy Australia
Advocating for informed choice, autonomy and respectful maternity care.
Contact: [email protected]
Instagram: @birthautonomyaustralia