PURPOSE:
Work-related stress and burnout for Australian midwives are reported to be among the highest in the world [1,2]. The Australian midwifery workforce is in crisis [3], with attrition rates that may prove unsustainable unless workforce satisfaction is improved [4,5]. The Australian College of Midwives’ Midwifery Practice Review (MPR) program has been redesigned to meet this need. The new program offers a transformative professional development experience for midwives across all settings and stages of practice. The MPR program supports midwives to pause, connect meaningfully with peers, and engage in structured reflection to enhance professional growth, job satisfaction, and career sustainability.

DISCUSSION:
Through three facilitated group sessions, an individual mentoring session, and self-directed reflection, midwives explore advocating for change, scope of practice, leadership, innovation and self-care within a supportive peer environment. In addition, privately practising midwives reflect on practice statistics, risk management, collaboration and quality improvement. The program is applicable to all midwives - whether in private practice, hospital-based, education, policy, or research - offering both regulatory alignment for privately practising midwives and profound professional renewal for all participants. This oral presentation will outline the evidence and rationale for the development and structure of the new program. Participant feedback from the first year will be illustrated, demonstrating how facilitated reflection and community of practice can strengthen midwifery identity and professional satisfaction, and inspire sustainable career pathways.

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Full Reference list available.

KEY MESSAGE:
The MPR program fosters a thriving, connected, and resilient midwifery workforce prepared to meet the needs of Australian families now and into the future that can be implemented globally. Workforce - sustainability 2 (including three-minute presentation competition)