How to Become a Doula in Australia: Your Guide to a Rewarding Career

Savvy Business Tips
Written By Mary Giordano

Becoming a Doula is a deeply fulfilling journey, one that combines passion, empathy, and a commitment to supporting birthing families. Whether you’re drawn to this path by a personal experience or a calling to nurture others, here’s a guide to help you embark on this rewarding career.

1. Understand the Role of a Doula

First, it’s essential to understand what being a doula entails. A doula provides emotional, physical, and informational support to women before, during, and after childbirth. This role is non-medical but profoundly impactful, focusing on enhancing the birth experience for the mother and her family.

2. Research Doula Training Programs

Australia offers a variety of Doula training programs, each with its unique approach and curriculum, ethics, values and ‘feel’. You should also consider whether you want to train in person or online. The trainer I trained with is no longer offering her course, and I personally don’t want to name others at the risk of excluding excellent trainings that I’m unfamiliar with. I suggest doing your due diligence and research and finding the organisation and/or trainer that is best aligned for you. Look for accredited courses that cover key areas such as childbirth education, breastfeeding support, and postpartum care, if wanting to learn about these things as well as the basics around birth support.

3. Enrol in a Comprehensive Training Course

Once you’ve found a program that resonates with you, enrol and commit to your training. These courses typically include theoretical learning, practical workshops, and hands-on experience through supervised births. Training can range from several weeks to a few months, depending on the intensity and format and requirements of the program. Please note, most Doula trainings are grossly inadequate at teaching you how to nurture, run and grow a business. I can help you out here with a whole suite of offerings and assets designed exactly for Doulas like you. Click here to learn more.

4. Gain Practical Experience

Hands-on experience is crucial in doula work. Many training programs require you to attend a certain number of births as a trainee doula. This experience helps you apply your learning in real-world settings, develop your skills, and build confidence. Volunteer opportunities and internships can also provide valuable exposure.

5. Network with Other Doulas

Building a network of experienced doulas can provide you with support, advice, and opportunities for collaboration. Join local and national doula associations, attend workshops and conferences, and participate in online forums and groups. Networking can also help you find mentorship and guidance as you start your career. If you’re not already, I suggest becoming a member of the Doula Network Australia*.

6. Set Up Your Doula Business

Starting your own doula practice involves more than just attending births. Consider the following steps:

  • Register Your Business: Ensure you comply with local business regulations and obtain any necessary licenses.

  • Create a Business Plan: Outline your services, pricing, target market, and marketing strategies.

  • Market Your Services: Build a website, create social media profiles, and network within your community to attract clients.

7. Continue Your Education

The field of birthwork is constantly evolving, and ongoing education is essential. Attend workshops, take advanced courses, and stay updated with the latest research and best practices in maternity care. Continuous learning in your chosen niche will help you provide the best possible support to your clients.

8. Reflect on Your Practice

Being a doula is not just about supporting others; it’s also about personal growth and reflection. Take time to reflect on your experiences, seek feedback from clients and peers, and continuously strive to improve your practice. Self-care is equally important—ensure you’re taking care of your own well-being to sustain your ability to care for others. This will help to avoid you becoming a statistic of the all too familiar burnout we often hear about in this line of work.

Conclusion

Becoming a doula in Australia is a journey of compassion, dedication, and continuous learning. By following these steps, you can embark on a fulfilling career that makes a significant difference in the lives of birthing families. Remember, the heart of doula work is about being present, supportive, and empowering—qualities that will guide you throughout your practice. If you’re ready to take the first step, explore the training programs available and begin your journey towards becoming a doula.

The world of birthwork awaits you!

In the meantime, if you’re starting your business or are in the first few years, I strongly encouage you to take a look at my comprehensive, self paced business course designed specifically with birth workers like you in mind, to help you transform your passion for birth into a profitable and sustainable business.

the savvy doula
 

Take a look at the Savvy Doula here.

All the best, I’m cheering for you over here!!!

mary signature

Doula Business Mentor

 

*Doula Network Australia: https://www.doulanetwork.org/

Mary Giordano

Based in Australia, Mary Giordano is an educator, translator, community development professional and long-time advocate for sustainable birth work. Drawing on a background in Anthropology, community development and over fifteen years’ experience in education, stakeholder engagement and capacity building, she creates practical resources that help birth workers build strong, values-aligned businesses and meaningful careers.

After spending many years supporting migrant and refugee communities in Australia and living, working and travelling extensively throughout Latin America and Europe, Mary’s work has been shaped by a deep appreciation for cultural diversity, language and the many ways birth and postpartum are understood around the world.

Today, Mary focuses on creating evergreen educational resources that support doulas and birth workers to establish sustainable businesses with confidence, clarity and integrity. Her work encourages practitioners to move beyond self-doubt, strengthen their professional foundations and build businesses that are both financially sustainable and deeply aligned with their values.

Mary is also the Australian partner of Mexican traditional midwife and educator Naolí Vinaver, coordinating Australian trainings in Closing the Bones and supporting a growing community of trained practitioners. Through her online directory, she helps connect families with Closing the Bones practitioners across Australia.

Alongside this work, Mary imports authentic handmade rebozos from Mexico, translates birth work resources from Spanish and Italian into English, and remains passionate about fostering collaboration, cultural exchange and professional development within the international birth community.

Whether through education, translation, traditional postpartum practices or practical business resources, Mary’s work is guided by a simple goal: helping birth workers create sustainable careers so they can continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of the families they serve.

https://www.marygiordano.com.au
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