Vision & Ethics
Future Vision and Ethics
Julie Clarke (Doula Trainer) has been transforming the lives of pregnant couples for over 30 years through her dedicated commitment to her work as a doula and her popular antenatal “Transition into Parenthood” and Hypnobirth courses from her studio at Sutherland, Sydney.
Currently Julie is sharing her vast knowledge with women young and old, mothers or not, experienced or not so they too can enable pregnant women to have a positive, natural, safe, healthy, and very satisfying birth experience to welcome their precious new baby into their life.
Julie’s trained Doulas play a significant role in Australia in the support of all women and partners, as they prepare during their pregnancy to birth their baby, Doulas work to deliver excellent outcomes for pregnant couples.
We are looking for positive women 16+ who will, in their own creative way, contribute to shaping the future of Doulas in Australia’s future, as we move towards a new phase of its growth.

OUR HISTORY
Transition into Parenthood Courses which is one of the longest running birth and parenting preparation course providers, commencing in 1989.
It has been a unique part of Sydney’s community for 30 years, originally as active birth courses suitable for birthing at birth centres.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to enrich the lives of pregnant women by connecting them to the transformative power of giving birth with good emotional and physical support to enable them to commence the journey of motherhood in an empowered confident strong way.
OUR ASPIRATION
To inspire more women to engage with supporting, encouraging and lifting up each other through Doula work
What we do:
Education, training, mentoring, think tank workshops, collaboration, creative visualisation and imagination will be at the forefront of skills required for an enlightened world
To magnify and amplify the stories and questions of our world.
The Doula Academy asks its participants to imagine the possibilities within the world they have grown up in; to think artistically, critically and creatively, and be active global citizens.
- provides continuous guidance beyond the usual training period both with the home study course and the face to face course
- provides vital professional work opportunities for Australian Doulas
- creates a supportive environment where women work together towards a common goal and the mentorship
- is an accessible and inclusive organisation which fosters womens expression and educates Australia’s future professional Doulas
Why we do what we do for birth doulas:
Because voice – Doulas need support which is wise, safe, healthy, non judgmental, focused on their needs – not the hospitals – to develop their instincts, intuition, values their ideas and aspires to produce the highest quality birth outcomes
Because tribe – Doulas want and need a safe place to fit in, to find their feet, and their place in the world.
Because creativity – Doulas need a place to create, learn and explore
Because art – Doulas deserve access to the highest quality experience and process.
Because imagination – Doulas deserve a place to imagine and re-imagine the world they live in, especially in the Western world where we need to re-think how women are treated.
Because spirit – because the Doula Academy of Australia engenders and emboldens the spirit of Doulas
Birth Doula Role Summary
This is a flexible, part-time or full time, hands-on role. You will be working with either pregnant couples, whole families, single mothers-to-be, to provide guidance towards building a safe, healthy, positive, enriching birth and early days of parenting experience.
The initial focus will be on analysing the needs of the pregnant woman, identifying her existing support base followed by the development and implementation of a birth plan to fulfill her preferences.
The role varies from a half day or more per week with an average payment of $1,000 per birth – varies according to skill set, level of experience, the population group you are working with.
Key responsibilities for birth doulas:
Initially:
- Complete the education training – choose from either short course 3 – 4 days or spread out over weeks or months depending on your other commitments.
- Optional: to consider volunteering for friends, relatives, low income, refugees or other woman who need the support from a knowledgeable person (this is not compulsory)
Ongoing:
- Raise awareness among your community of the role of a Doula through small workshops, display at local markets, distribution of brochures
- Seek business partnerships through prospecting and research
- Look for opportunities to integrate corporate sponsors for your financial wellbeing
- Meet or exceed the expectations of your clients
- Identify future sources of community education about the role of the Doula through providing talks at Church groups or Public and Private Schools to children so they grow up informed of the importance of providing respect, physical and emotional support to pregnant women in an environment of sensitivity and inclusion
Birth doula skills and attributes:
Preferred for Doula candidates to have:
- Life experience in a way which has increased your sense of empathy and compassion for women; especially pregnant women
- Enthusiasm to learn
- Ability to think and plan
- A person with some research and organisational skills with attention to detail
- Be thorough and dedicated
We look very favourably upon candidates who have knowledge & experience in the following areas:
- Communication
- Punctual
- Great researcher
- Willing to be hands-on if needed
- Knowledge & experience
- Social media & website
- Friends/Giving Circles
- Copy writing skills
Benefits:
- Access to Doula conferences, workshops and more
- A growing, supportive, experienced community of Doulas across Australia
- Work and Life Balance is essential part of what we are
- You can see first hand the impact your work has on the lives you’ve touched
- Doulas enjoy work life balance
Julie.
The course content was thorough and thoughtfully put together. The workbooks were packed with valuable information, and everything was presented in a way that made learning feel engaging and inspiring. Julie always made herself available—whether it was to answer questions, offer encouragement, or simply check in—she was only ever a phone call away.
This course has not only given me the knowledge and confidence to begin my doula journey, but it’s also given me a deep sense of community and purpose. I’m so grateful to have learned from Julie and would recommend her course to anyone feeling called to this beautiful work.
Julie’s support has been unwavering, extending far beyond the course itself. She continues to check in and has created a wonderful community for past and current students, offering ongoing guidance and connection with other doulas. I wholeheartedly recommend Julie Clarke’s Birth & Post Natal Doula Program to anyone considering this path. It has been a life-changing experience. Thank you truly Julie xo
Thanks so much Julie 😊
Julie is the most experienced and amazing support through your pregnancy, birth and postpartum doula education and parenthood journey. She creates such a light, bright and safe space to learn all you need - making sure that you have all of your information without feeling overwhelmed, unsure or insecure.
Julie's own hands-on experience is truly unmatched and I couldn't be more grateful to have partnered with Julie for my own pregnancy, birth and postpartum doula training. Thanks Julie!
I couldn’t be more pleased with my experience training as a Postpartum Doula. Julie is an exceptional educator, and her passion for supporting new families truly shines through.
The course covered everything I needed to confidently assist families during the postpartum period. The way Julie presented the material made it easy to understand and apply in real-life situations.
I am truly impressed by her dedication, knowledge, and the supportive learning environment they created. This training has not only improved my skills but has also given me the confidence to support new families with care and professionalism.
I highly recommend Julie to anyone looking to become a Postpartum Doula!
The course was not only informative but also empowering. Julie created a learning environment where we felt safe, respected, and encouraged to ask questions and share experiences. She expertly balanced her workbooks, ensuring that we not only understood the concepts but also felt confident in applying them. Her approach was thorough, and she covered everything from the physiological aspects of birth to emotional support, postpartum care, and self-care for the families who are bringing life into this world but also for the doulas and how to care for themselves.
Julie’s genuine care and compassion shone through the entire course. She made sure we understood the importance of emotional presence and connection with clients, not just the technical aspects of birth and postnatal care.
The postnatal section of the course was incredibly beneficial. Julie provided us with so many resources and insights into how we can best support new parents during the delicate postpartum period. I left feeling not only well-equipped with the practical skills needed to support families but also emotionally prepared for the sacred responsibility of being a doula.
I also love the Facebook group with all of her previous certified doulas and current doulas in training as it’s such a supportive group with real life experiences.
I wholeheartedly recommend Julie to anyone looking to pursue a career in the Birth and Postnatal doula space. Julie’s passion for what she does is infectious, and her course was an investment in not only my career but my personal growth.
Thank you, Julie, for providing such an enriching and transformative learning experience.
Because of Julie’s course, I now have a very successful Doula business that is growing day by day. Everyone deserves a doula, and I’m so glad I became one. Thank you Julie x