Research shows that continuous care throughout pregnancy from a known, trusted support person - such as a doula - contributes to improved birth and early parenting outcomes and experiences.
By enrolling in Birth for Humankind's Foundational Doula Training, you are proactively improving access to equitable maternal care for all women and birthing people.
A doula is a highly skilled birth companion who provides practical and emotional support during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.
Why train as a doula with Birth for Humankind?
- Our Foundational Doula Training will equip you with the skills and knowledge to support women and birthing people through:
- Pregnancy
- Labour and birth
- The early postnatal period
- Navigating the Australian maternal health system - You will gain a true understanding of how your practice will contribute to health equity and community-based doula support, which responds directly to, and respects, the cultural and/or social needs of women and birthing people
- You will experience a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive training perspective via evidence-based practice, and benefit from the value of lived experience and peer learning provided by our experienced team
- You will graduate prepared to work with all birthing people, including - and especially - Birth for Humankind client groups and other people experiencing financial and social disadvantage who encounter barriers when accessing the health system
- You will have the opportunity to volunteer as a doula with Birth for Humankind on completion of your training in order to fulfill the practical birth support requirements to attain certification - our pricing structure reflects this
- You will receive advice on working as a doula in private practice, that will allow you to grow your own business should you choose to
Who can apply for our Foundational Doula Training Program?
- This course is open to anyone interested in becoming a birth doula – no prior training is necessary
- Full eligibility criteria can be found HERE
How is the program delivered?
- Training is delivered through a hybrid model of:
- Face-to-face sessions in North Melbourne
- Live online sessions
- Self-paced, e-learning modules - Compulsory in-person sessions are held on a Tuesday, from 10am-2.30pm, on the following dates:
- 6th June
- 25th July
- 8th August
- 22nd August
- 10th October
- 24th October
Training commences Tuesday 6th June, 2023 and ends Tuesday 24th October, 2023.
To watch a pre-recorded information session on Foundational Doula Training, click HERE
What is the cost of Foundational Doula Training?
We are committed to building a diverse doula workforce and supporting women to develop employment skills, therefore we have several pricing options:
- EARLYBIRD Pricing is available until Tuesday, 9th May and all invoices must be paid in full and relevant administrative paperwork submitted by 11.59pm on this date in order to receive a 10% discount on pricing categories below
- Foundational Doula Training with a volunteer commitment component, ie. Birth support for 3 Birth for Humankind clients over 18 months from graduation* = $2,200.00 inc GST
- Foundational Doula Training with no commitment to volunteer = $3,300.00 inc GST
Prices include all training, learning materials, mentoring and ongoing professional development opportunities
Scholarships are also available for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People and people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Financial support and payment plans may be available on request.
Once your application is confirmed, you will receive an initial invoice of $220.00 inc GST, which is a non-refundable administration fee payable to process your enrolment, and this will be deducted from the balance of your training fees.
Once your enrolment is complete, further cancellation fees may apply for change of mind.
How do I apply?
Submit an online application HERE and someone from our Programs Team will be in touch within 10 working days to complete your enrolment
For more information please contact Cath Wright (She/Her), Doula Program Supervisor, via this email address cath@birthforhumankind.org
*Must be completed by 30th April, 2025 or full fee balance will be payable
