National Standards for Childbirth and Parenting Educators
The National Standards for Childbirth and Parenting Educators (formerly known as the Competency Standards for Childbirth and Early Parenting Educators) were first developed by expert Australian Childbirth and Parenting Educators in 2011 and published in 2012 by NACE (now known as CAPEA – Childbirth and Parenting Educators Australia).
The second edition was released in 2018, strengthening and expanding the framework to reflect contemporary maternity and early parenting education practice.
During 2024–2025, CAPEA undertook a comprehensive review of the Standards to ensure they remain current, evidence-informed, and aligned with evolving models of maternity care, trauma-informed practice, inclusivity, and contemporary adult learning principles. As part of this review, the title was updated to National Standards for Childbirth and Parenting Educators, reflecting the maturity, national scope, and professional standing of the framework.
The revised National Standards were formally released in 2025 at the CAPEA National Conference, held at the Rydges Hotel, Newcastle NSW.
This review process reinforced CAPEA’s commitment to maintaining high professional standards and national consistency across childbirth and early parenting education in Australia. These Standards were among the first known globally to be developed specifically for Childbirth and Early Parenting Educators and have influenced practice internationally.
The National Standards are intended to:
• Support women, parents and families to access high-quality, responsive and learner-centred education during pregnancy and early parenting;
• Provide a nationally consistent framework for assessing educator competence;
• Assist educators in identifying professional development needs and supporting reflective practice;
• Act as a benchmark for competence across diverse settings and professional backgrounds;
• Apply to novice and experienced educators, as well as coordinators and managers of childbirth and early parenting education services;
• Promote evidence-informed, inclusive and trauma-aware approaches to education.
2025 National Competency Standards
Includes the CAPEA Guideline for Practice for Childbirth and Early Parenting Educators. Hard copies can be purchased in the CAPEA Shop
Using the Birth and Parenting Educators’ Assessment Tool: Student, New or Experienced Educator
The Birth and Parenting Educators’ Assessment Tool: Student, New or Experienced Educator is designed to provide a user-friendly framework that supports a meaningful and professional conversation between the educator, assessor, and or a mentor.
Ideally, the Childbirth and Early Parenting Educator selects an assessor or mentor to observe the facilitation of a childbirth and parenting group session and provide constructive feedback to the educator to support ongoing professional development. This process is similar to clinical supervision practices in other health professions.
The Assessment Tool assists practitioners to evaluate how effectively their educator practice aligns with the National Standards for Childbirth and Parenting Educators and can be adapted to suit a range of educational contexts.
Birth and Parenting Educator's Assessment Tool
Hard copies of this assessment tool are available in the CAPEA shop
