Obstetrician

Obstetricians are specialist medical doctors who care for expectant mothers and their babies during pregnancy, labour, and childbirth. They diagnose and treat complications during conception and pregnancy and also provide postpartum care for several weeks after birth.

As an Obstetrician you could be carrying out a prenatal screening to determine a baby’s size and position in the uterus, monitoring a young woman’s progress during pregnancy with ultrasound and urinalysis, inducing labour, providing emergency treatment for a pregnant woman experiencing complications during childbirth, examining a newborn baby and reviewing their health stats and core vitals, or just smiling for a photograph with a set of happy new parents.

Being an Obstetrician is a very rewarding, yet demanding career path. To succeed you’ll need a high standard of academic performance, lifelong commitment to using the latest technologies for pregnancy and childbirth, and outstanding communication skills.

Future demand High
Average yearly income $336,960
Skill level Unknown

How do I become a obstetrician?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced

Doctor of Medicine
On Campus
3 - 5 years
$0 - $407,808
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Anaesthetist General Practitioner Medical Practitioner
Medical Researcher Obstetrician Surgeon Career Medical Officer (CMO) Gastroenterologist Neurologist Oncologist Gynaecologist
+ 8 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Anaesthetist General Practitioner Medical Practitioner Medical Researcher Obstetrician Surgeon Career Medical Officer (CMO) Gastroenterologist Neurologist Oncologist Gynaecologist + 8 more
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

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Gynaecologist

Gynaecologists specialise in women’s reproductive health, treating issues like infertility, menopause, and STDs, requiring advanced medical training.

Avg yearly income $182,000
Skill level Unknown

Common questions

How much do Obstetricians earn?

Salaries for Obstetricians working in Australia start at $6,480 per week ($336,960 annually). Increase your earning capacity by obtaining specialist medical qualifications in supporting areas like gynaecology, paediatrics, or surgery.

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What are the job opportunities for Obstetricians?

There are 1,400 Obstetricians and Gynaecologists currently employed in Australia. They work for hospitals, community health organisations, and specialist medical centres. Some Obstetricians work in private practice.

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How do I become an Obstetrician?

Becoming a qualified Obstetrician is a long-term commitment to academic excellence. The first step along this career path is to become a registered doctor by:

  1. Completing a suitable Bachelor’s degree (eg, health science, pharmacy, nursing, human movement, science).
  2. Passing the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT).
  3. Achieving a Doctor of Medicine (MD).
  4. Working as a hospital intern for at least one year.
  5. Obtaining general medical registration through the Medical Board of Australia.

Once you are a registered physician you’ll need to complete a six-year specialist training program with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG).

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights 2023

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

Further reading

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