Childbirth and Parenting Educators of Australia
CAPEA is Australia’s peak not-for-profit charity advancing excellence in childbirth and early parenting education.
We empower educators, support professionals, and champion evidence-based learning so every family can thrive.
Grow your expertise. Strengthen standards. Shape the future of family-centred education.
Who We Are
Supporting and advancing childbirth and parenting education across Australia.
CAPEA brings together educators, midwives, and health professionals dedicated to improving outcomes for families across Australia. Through advocacy, professional development, and collaboration, we help our members grow their skills, share knowledge, and elevate the standards of childbirth and parenting education nationwide.
For Parents
Empowering you with knowledge, confidence, and support for one of life’s biggest journeys. We help parents connect with trusted educators and evidence-based information to prepare for birth and beyond.
→ Explore Resources for Expectant Parents
For Educators & Health Professionals
CAPEA supports professionals through training, networking, and advocacy, helping you stay connected, recognised, and up to date with best practices in maternity and early parenting education.
→ Explore Membership Benefits
🏆 Professional Framework
National Standards for Childbirth & Parenting Educators
The National Standards for Childbirth and Parenting Educators were first developed by expert Australian educators in 2011 and published in 2012 by NACE — now known as CAPEA.
During 2024–2025, CAPEA undertook a comprehensive review to ensure the Standards remain current, evidence-informed, and aligned with evolving models of maternity care, trauma-informed practice, and contemporary adult learning principles.
The revised Standards were formally released at the 2025 CAPEA National Conference in Newcastle NSW — among the first known globally developed specifically for Childbirth and Early Parenting Educators.
🛒 Hard copies available in the CAPEA Shop
Click to download the 2025 National Standards (PDF)
Membership Benefits
Everything you need to grow as a professional birth and parenting educator
IJBPE Journal
Receive the International Journal of Birth and Parenting Education hard copy delivered to your door, plus full electronic access to the members-only archive.
Member Discounts
Exclusive discounts on all CAPEA-hosted training days, conferences, webinars and professional development events throughout the year.
Professional Network
Connect with a national community of childbirth and parenting educators — share knowledge, find mentors and collaborate with peers across Australia.
CAPEA Certification
Membership is the first step toward CAPEA Certification — a nationally and internationally recognised credential that validates your skills.
Voting Rights
Exercise your democratic rights — vote in CAPEA elections and have a genuine say in shaping the future of the profession in Australia.
Publish & Contribute
Share your expertise by contributing articles and insights to CAPEA publications and build your professional profile across the sector.
Leadership Roles
Members can nominate for committee positions and leadership roles, helping guide CAPEA's strategic direction at a national level.
INTERACTION Archive
Access the full archive of INTERACTION — CAPEA's legacy journal — covering decades of childbirth and parenting education research and practice.
Click to download the Assessment Tool (PDF)
📋 Professional Development Tool
Birth & Parenting Educators Assessment Tool
Designed to provide a user-friendly framework that supports a meaningful and professional conversation between the educator, assessor, and/or a mentor — similar to clinical supervision practices in other health professions.
The Assessment Tool helps practitioners evaluate how effectively their practice aligns with the National Standards and can be adapted to suit a range of educational contexts.
- Select an assessor or mentor to observe your facilitation
- Receive structured, constructive feedback on your practice
- Evaluate how your practice aligns with the National Standards
- Adapt the tool to suit your specific educational context
🛒 Hard copies available in the CAPEA Shop
Choose Your Membership Plan
Both plans include all membership benefits — save with a 2‑year plan
1 Year Membership
- Hard copy of IJBPE journal delivered to your door
- Electronic journal access via the members‑only area
- Discounts on CAPEA training & events
- Full voting rights
- Contribute content & gain professional exposure
- Path to CAPEA Certification
- Potential to hold committee positions
2 Year Membership
- Everything in 1 Year membership
- Hard copy of IJBPE journal × 2 issues
- Electronic journal access × 2 years
- Discounts on CAPEA training & events
- Full voting rights for both years
- Path to CAPEA Certification
- Potential to hold committee positions
🔒 Secure payment via PayPal | Credit cards accepted | Instant access upon joining
What our members say about CAPEA
Gallery from CAPEA Conferences
Subscribe to the CAPEA Newsletter
Hear about upcoming events, news and the latest research.
Frequently asked questions
Join CAPEA online by purchasing a membership. The process is easy, simply select your membership type, complete the details and make payment. Your membership benefits become effective immediately including access to the members area of the website.
Membership payments are processed securely online through PayPal when you purchase your membership.
- No PayPal account is required.
- Credit cards are accepted.
If you require an alternate payment method please contact us at member@capea.org.au
You can enjoy member discounts commence immediately after joining. You will be provided a login to the website to access the members area.
All CAPEA members must agree to uphold CAPEA values.
Members holding a National Committee position are required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement.
Access to members only content including Professional development resources, journals and discounts on available training and events, CAPEA member lists and CAPEA Committee Reports.
Individual membership
Member discounts apply automatically.
Includes one hard copy of the IJBPE per member, plus online access via the members’ area.
Includes full voting rights and eligibility to hold a position (subject to meeting CAPEA member responsibilities).
Organisational membership
One nominated and approved representative may access member discounts (a discount code is required).
Includes one hard copy of the IJBPE per organisation, plus online access for one log-in only.
Voting rights apply to the nominated representative (subject to meeting CAPEA member responsibilities).
Not eligible to hold a CAPEA position.
CAPEA is a not-for-profit charity and voluntary professional association. Member fees directly support high-quality, accessible childbirth and early parenting education through professional development, national standards, and promotion of evidence-based practice.
Members also have access to CAPEA Treasurer financial reports.
Reach out to us by email to member@capea.org.au or send us a message on Facebook.
Latest news from CAPEA Facebook
First Nations experts call for sustained funding into Birthing on Country programs with more Closing the Gap data expected in July and a review expected to begin this year.
#article
Urgent call to ensure all babies are born a healthy weight
www.abc.net.au
The Productivity Commission's latest Closing the Gap data shows just four out of 19 targets are on track. Advocates call for urgent funding to address low birth weights.
A new study reveals that children begin understanding deception much earlier than expected.
Researchers found about 25% of babies show signs of recognizing deception by 10 months, rising to 50% by 17 months.
#study #research #babies
Research: Babies May Deceive Before First Birthday
www.miragenews.com
A new study has mapped by age young children's ability to understand and practise deception for the first time – and results indicate many can sense