Birthing on Country Placement Bursary at Southern Cross University 2026

Introduction: 

SISTABIRTH is a Birthing on Country initiative, it is a culturally significant and community-led project designed to improve maternity care for Indigenous women across three diverse Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHOs) in Australia.

Eligibility requirement for Birthing on Country Placement Bursary at Southern Cross University:

• Applicants must identify as an Aboriginal person and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
• Applicants must be enrolled or intending to enrol into a Midwifery Professional Experience unit at Southern Cross University.
• Applicants must be available and willing to attend Birthing on Country placement through the Aboriginal Health Service at the nominated placement allocation AND DATES (via the Work Integrated Learning Unit).
• Applicants must commit to working while on placement with community members to develop cultural resources relating to pregnancy, labour and birth, and early parenting (6 weeks’ postnatal).
• Applicants agree to present to peers and/or academics about their experience on placement and what their main learning and knowledge take home is.

Value of the scholarship:

AUD 2,500 for One Year award is available to support a full-time student

Application Process:

• Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Write and send an EOI addressing the selection criteria, showing your interest in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander maternal health, culturally safe care, and community-based practice.
• Provide supporting details: Include your student information, stage of study, relevant clinical experience, and any community involvement or connection (if applicable).
• Selection process: Applications are reviewed against eligibility and selection criteria (e.g., commitment to culturally appropriate care, woman-centred practice, and readiness for rural/remote placement).
• Outcome and placement allocation: Successful applicants are selected for placement in one of the rural/remote Aboriginal Health Service sites, and receive confirmation along with details of timing, requirements, and the bursary.

NOTE:

• Birthing on Country is a culturally safe, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led model of maternity care that supports connection to Country, culture, and woman-centred care (about 125 words). I am motivated to attend a rural/remote placement to learn from Aboriginal Health Services and develop my culturally safe midwifery practice (about 100 words).
• I will provide culturally appropriate, woman-centred care by respecting women’s values and choices, support smoke-free and vape-free pregnancy through respectful education, and maintain my wellbeing through supervision, reflection, and support networks during placement (about 125 words).