Diploma of Nursing
27 CRICOS providers offer this course to international students in 14 Australian cities. Typical tuition for the whole course is AUD $26,000 - $39,090, and it usually takes about 2 years.
- Typical tuition, whole course
- AUD $26,000 - $39,090
- Course length
- 1 yr - 2 yrs
- Providers
- 27 providers
- Cities
- 14 cities
About 400 hours of work placement
Typical = the middle 80% of CRICOS tuition fees across providers. Full range AUD $19,350 - $43,000. Fees change, so confirm with the provider.
HLT54121 · General Nursing
What it prepares you for
The Diploma of Nursing leads to work as an Enrolled Nurse: a nurse who cares for patients in hospitals, aged care homes and the community, under the direction of a Registered Nurse.
It is a hands-on course. Alongside classes and simulation labs you spend about 400 hours on clinical placement, caring for real patients under supervision.
For many students it is also the first step towards becoming a Registered Nurse. Many universities give credit for the Diploma in a Bachelor of Nursing, so the degree takes less time.
From the national register
This qualification reflects the role of an enrolled nurse working under the direct or indirect supervision of a registered nurse.
Enrolled nurses provide nursing care for people across the health care continuum and at all stages of life.
To be eligible to apply for registration as an enrolled nurse and to practice in Australia, individuals must complete a Diploma of Nursing program accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and approved as ‘an approved program of study’ by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) in accordance with the Enrolled Nurse Accreditation Standards. To confirm the education provider holds the necessary accreditation check the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) at www.ahpra.gov.au.
The scope of practice for enrolled nurses is determined by legislative requirements and the policies and procedures of the employing organisation.
What you study
20 core units every student completes, plus 5 electives chosen by the provider. Unit names as listed in the official qualification.
- CHCDIV001Work with diverse people
- CHCDIV002Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
- CHCPRP003Reflect on and improve own professional practice
- HLTAAP002Confirm physical health status
- HLTAAP003Analyse and respond to client health information
- HLTENN035Practise nursing within the Australian health care system
- HLTENN036Apply communication skills in nursing practice
- HLTENN037Perform clinical assessment and contribute to planning nursing care
- HLTENN038Implement, monitor and evaluate nursing care
- HLTENN039Apply principles of wound management
Where it can take you
Typical jobs for this qualification, as listed on training.gov.au.
Career ladder
- 01 · This courseDiploma of Nursingleads toEnrolled Nurse
- 02Bachelor of Nursingleads toRegistered Nurse
Enrolled Nurse
Enrolled Nurses, under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse, assist in the provision of preventive, curative and rehabilitative nursing care in hospitals, aged-care facilities, the community and other health care settings. Those with higher qualifications may be involved with supervisory tasks.
Registration and next steps
- To work as an Enrolled Nurse you must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) through AHPRA. Only a Diploma accredited by ANMAC leads to registration, so check the provider before you enrol.
- The NMBA also sets an English requirement for registration, for example IELTS Academic 7.0 in each band.
- To become a Registered Nurse you need a Bachelor of Nursing (AQF level 7). The Diploma on its own is not enough.
Cities that offer it
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Levels in the same field
Many students start lower and move up: a Certificate IV or Diploma can lead into a Bachelor degree, often with credit for what you have already studied.
- 01Certificate IVCertificate IV in Preparation for Health and Nursing Studies2 providersAUD $9,000
- 02Diploma · This courseDiploma of Nursing27 providersAUD $26,000 - $39,090
- 03Advanced DiplomaAdvanced Diploma of Nursing3 providersAUD $6,000 - $12,200
- 04Associate DegreeAssociate Degree in Health Support (exit only)1 providerAUD $79,200
- 05Bachelor DegreeBachelor of Nursing33 providersAUD $99,648 - $139,373
- 06Bachelor (Hons)Bachelor of Nursing (Honours)10 providersAUD $36,624 - $49,200
- 07Grad. CertificateGraduate Certificate in Nursing2 providersAUD $17,784
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