Hi oscar

I do most of my births at the Mater (including all of my training births) - the public hospital in particular is very receptive to doula support.

If you are public - I think you'd be fine with a student doula.

If you are private and you have clear ideas about the type of birth you want to have - perhaps someone with a bit of experience would be a good idea. The Mater private is a good hospital but after seeing quite a few births in both, I honestly do think that achieving a low intervention birth in the public is definitely easier. The policies and set up in the public hospital is just alot more flexible. In the private hospital there will possibly be a bit more negotiation and nouse required so someone who has dealt with that before might be better placed to help you get your needs met.

Alot depends on what you want from your doula as well.