Nursing and midwifery in the Northern Territory

Northern Territory (NT) nursing and midwifery is underpinned by the Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (OCNMO) who represents the nursing and midwifery profession across the NT, including urban, rural and remote areas.

The key focus of the OCNMO is developing policy and strategy to guide the nursing and midwifery professions, maintaining professional standards of practice, providing professional development, training and ongoing support to nurses and midwives as well as recruiting and retaining passionate health professionals to the Territory's nursing and midwifery community.

NT nursing and midwifery programs and initiatives help to build and maintain an expert, highly-skilled and sustainable NT workforce - one that is committed to providing person-centred care in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.

Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer

The Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (CNMO) provides professional leadership to nurses and midwives across the NT as well as holding the following roles:

• represents NT nurses and midwives as a profession at a national and international level
• provides advice and leadership on professional issues relating to nursing and midwifery for both government and non-government organisations in the NT
• gives high-level policy advice to Ministers in the Health portfolio, and staff at NT Health
• member of the Australian Council of Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers representing NT as well as several other Territory and national committees
• works Territory-wide to support the nursing and midwifery workforce across all areas of the health system
• represents nurses and midwives in the news media
• holds an operational role within the Department of Health as a system manager. This includes a number of direct responsibilities for nursing and midwifery practice and other professional areas for government services.

The CNMO is supported by the Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer.

Adjunct Associate Professor Kellie Wilton - Chief Nursing & Midwifery Officer

Adjunct Associate Professor Kellie Wilton became the NT CNMO in February 2025. Kellie is a midwife with an endorsement for scheduled medicines who has worked across a variety of clinical settings such as Midwifery Group Practice incorporating homebirth, acute tertiary, private practice, country and metropolitan public sectors, immigration detention and the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector.

Kellie has a rich midwifery background in advocacy, workforce, policy, legislation, regulation, professional practice, education, health promotion and research.

Her postgraduate studies include qualifications in clinical education, international health, and a Master of Primary Maternity Care.  Most recently Kellie completed a Master of Public Health (Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing) and Master of Health Leadership and Management with a primary focus on optimal scope of practice, maternity reform and improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

Prior to joining NT Health as Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Kellie was the Senior Midwifery Advisor for the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care where she supported the Commonwealth Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer to provide high-level advice to Ministers, the Executive and other stakeholders in the Department.

Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer

The Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer (OCNMO) draws on best practice and evidence-based nursing and midwifery standards to support professional and career development for NT nurses and midwives, outlined by the strategic vision for NT Nursing and Midwifery.

The office works with government and industry stakeholders to improve service delivery across the areas of:

• acute care
• maternity
• mental health
• primary health care (including community health, remote health services, prisoner health and outreach services)
• other government divisions and Department of Health services.

With the Department of Health executive leadership team and the NT Government, the OCNMO is responsible for identifying strategic workforce initiatives that will develop and support NT nurses and midwives and collaborate with the services that employ them.

Our values

Safe. Responsive. Kind.

Our vision

To empower an agile nursing and midwifery workforce to provide care at the right place and time.

Our commitment

Working together with community for health and wellbeing to implement person-centred care.

Mission

Nurses and midwives will lead contemporary compassionate, safe, evidence based person centred care across diverse geographical and cultural contexts.

This will be done in collaboration with individuals, families, communities and our health professional colleagues.

Nursing and Midwifery Plan 2023 to 2028

The Northern Territory Nursing and Midwifery Plan 2023 to 2028 sets out the values, vision and commitment of NT Nursing and Midwifery.

Aligning with the NT Health Strategic Plan, the Nursing and Midwifery Plan sets out the key objectives and outcomes for nursing and midwifery for the 2023 to 2028 period.

View the Nursing and Midwifery Plan 2023 to 2028.

Education

The OCNMO provides a pivotal link between NT Health, the largest employer of NT nurses and midwives, and NT-based education providers including:

• Charles Darwin University
• Centre for Remote Health (Flinders University)
• Bachelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
• Fox Education and Consultancy
• Menzies School of Health Research.

NT Health Nursing and Midwifery Career Opportunities

Want to work with us? Visit nursing and midwifery recruitment for more information on living and working in the NT, career structures and pathways, and employee benefits and incentives. We look forward to working with you!

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