BACKGROUND:
Scope of practice has been defined as "the limits of a health professional's ‘knowledge, skills and experience’ and reflects all tasks and activities they undertake within the context of their professional role" (Downie et al. 2023). Evidence suggests that scope of practice is often limited by multiple factors including but not limited to the clinical context in which the midwife works, management within the institution and the midwife, themself (Medway, Sweet & Muller 2021; Medway, Sweet & Thornton 2020) and in Australia, the scope of a midwife often changes "as the midwife gains new skills and knowledge" (NMBA 2023).

OBJECTIVES:
The aim of this study was to understand midwifery scope of practice in Australia from the perspective of midwives including what helps and hinders them to work to full scope.

METHODS:
This study surveyed midwives who were currently practising in Australia using purposive and snowballing sampling techniques. Data were collected using a purpose developed survey tool underpinned by the current evidence base. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics and qualitative data, via content and thematic analyses.

RESULTS:
Preliminary understandings suggest that midwives are unsure of what it means to work to full scope of practice with this influenced by multiple factors including their place of practice. Full results will be presented.

CONCLUSIONS:
With a health workforce that is under pressure, understanding what helps and hinders midwives to work to full scope of practice will positively contribute to education, regulation, research and clinical practice into the future.

KEY MESSAGE:
There has been little examination of midwives understanding of scope of practice or what facilitates or inhibits them to work to full scope. The results of this study will help to inform further research, and policy, regulation and advocacy efforts relating to midwifery work in support of contributing to one million more midwives! Poster session 2 (Group A)