nursing courses tafe nsw

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Diploma of Nursing

You may qualify for a range of discounts including fully-subsidised courses.

Answer a few questions so we can calculate your course fees

• Further study: This qualification will prepare you for further study.
• Entry-level employment: This qualification will prepare you for entry-level employment.
• Mid-career employment: This qualification will prepare you for mid-career employment. Previous education or industry experience may be required.

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Course overview

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.

This qualification may contribute to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's (NMBA) registration requirements to practice as an enrolled nurse.

View Providers & Locations

Contact me if the qualification is ready, how to apply.

• Some training providers will let you enrol online while others may not. All training providers will need to see some documentation, like personal identification or school results, and all will ask you to have a Unique Student Identifier . Once you've found a training provider you like the look of, get in touch with them to see how they can help you enrol.
• You can visit this provider’s course offering/s on provider’s website.

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Send an enquiry

Send an enquiry using the form on the left. Alternatively, here is how to contact your nearest Training Services NSW office.

Ring 13 28 11 to be directed to your nearest office or navigate to the Contact Us page to view our locations.

How long will it take to complete this qualification?

All short courses are currently shown as under 4 months duration, based on the Department of Education's internal data analysis. Ask your provider for more information.

Duration information is based on 20 hours of class time per week and uses aggregated data reported to the Department by Smart and Skilled providers.

The duration indicates contract term which includes both formal training and full-time employment under a training contract. This is based on aggregated data reported to the Department by Smart and Skilled providers. Click here for more information about doing an apprenticeship or traineeship and ask your provider for guidance on your individual circumstances.

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Diploma Of Nursing | HLT54121

Start your career in Nursing with our Diploma in Nursing, a Free TAFE course for eligible students. You can complete this course in twenty-four months and become an Enrolled Nurse. 

Gain entry into the nursing profession as an Enrolled Nurse through our Diploma of Nursing course, providing hands-on learning experience in essential areas and guaranteed credit for future studies.

Our nationally accredited program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to become the best nurse you can be. You'll gain hands-on learning experience through four clinical placement rotations, including time in our ward simulation labs and clinical settings.

The Diploma of Nursing is the only qualification that leads to registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as an Enrolled Nurse, making it the perfect choice for those looking to enter the nursing profession.

With our course, you don't need an ATAR score to apply, but you will need to complete a BKSB LLN assessment and meet the academic entry requirements.

Our nurturing and experienced trainers will guide you throughout your studies, providing the support and guidance you need to succeed.

The Diploma of Nursing covers a range of essential areas, including medication administration, anatomy and physiology, infection control, primary healthcare, and medical and surgical nursing. Plus, if you wish to pursue further studies, our course provides guaranteed credit equivalent to the first year in undergraduate Nursing degrees at a range of Australian universities.

Our course delivery combines face-to-face and self-directed learning that provides guidance and support through teacher facilitation and peers.

Enrolment for our Diploma of Nursing is highly competitive and limited, so don't wait any longer. Apply today and start your journey towards a fulfilling career in nursing!

Got questions? Call 13 TAFE (8233)

Course Snapshot

Diploma of nursing - tafe course kangan institute  .

In addition to our Essendon campus, this course will also be delivered at the Broadmeadows campus in 2025 subject to approval from ANMAC.

Become an Enrolled Nurse

Alison hopes to build a career in healthcare so that she can help remote Aboriginal communities, starting with her mother’s community, the Kalkadoon community in Mount Isa.

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Career Opportunities

Qualification details.

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Qualifications

Further Study

Training is delivered with Victorian & Commonwealth Government funding.

Some or all of this training is provided with State or Federal Government funding. Are you eligible for Government Subsidised fees?  Find out now !

You may be eligible for concession.  Find out now !

 To you check your eligibility click  here .

 The fees listed below relate to 2025 courses and are indicative pricing only as total costs vary depending on the units you elect to study.

 Payment plans are available.  Click here  to find out more. Course availability is subject to enrolment numbers.

Your total course fee will typically include your tuition fee (table 1), any applicable consumables and/or material fees (table 2).

*You may be entitled to free tuition fees for this course if you meet the eligibility criteria for the State Government’s  FREE TAFE for Priority Courses  initiative. It's important to know that you may incur other fees, such as materials fees, and you'll need to cover these costs yourself.

This course is part of a Free TAFE Pathway Program. Free TAFE may cover tuition fees for additional courses in this Pathway Program. 

Call 13 TAFE (13 8233) or contact us via our  online enquiry form  to find out more.

Vet Student Loans are available for this course. For more information click here .

Concessions for Diploma and Advanced Diploma course categories are only available to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders.

Tuition Fees

# The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment.

* Materials/Consumables fees may vary for each individual based on the units they are studying.

Average tuition fees are based on the typical number of student contact hours undertaken by a student to complete this course. Average fees displayed are purely indicative and may not be your actual fee. Fees vary based on the number/hours of electives chosen by the student.

Click here to view maximum tuition fees. We strongly urge you to contact us for a more exact calculation of your fees. Additional fees may apply.

Your total course fee will typically include your tuition fee and non-tuition fees (table 1) and any applicable consumables and/or material fees (table 2).

Student Contact Hours

^This is based on the maximum number of student contact hours for the total duration of the course. Hours may vary depending on electives chosen by the student.

*This is based on the maximum number of student contact hours for the calendar year of 2025. Hours may vary depending on electives chosen by the student. If you have to undertake training as part of Skills Recognition, your tuition fees are charged according to the applicable rate per Student Contact Hour depending on your eligibility for government subsidised, concession or full fees.

For more information about our fees structure,  click here .

Course Dates

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For information on disability support at Kangan Institute, click here .

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Diploma of Nursing

This course is only available for domestic students

Entry requirements

Study structure, fees & scholarships, how to apply.

Gain essential industry experience to work in a range of healthcare settings with the Diploma of Nursing. Guided by a registered nurse, you’ll learn to administer and monitor medication and care for a range of clients with various needs. Upon graduating, you’ll have 440 hours of experience through supervised clinical placements.

Due to limited capacity, students will be unable to defer their place in this course.

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.

Change of Preference Expo

Looking for your #1 VTAC preference? Explore your options and get personalised advice from course experts, based on your Year 12 results. Friday 13 December, Hawthorn campus.

Your industry experience

Bolster your CV with real industry experience. This course involves 440 hours of mandatory supervised clinical placements.

Skills you’ll learn

• Health assessments
• Monitor medication
• Skills to work in a variety of settings
• Effective communication skills

Your career opportunities

• Acute Care Nurse
• Mental Health Nurse
• Rehabilitation Nurse
• Aged Care Nurse
• Palliative Care Nurse

Further education

• Bachelor Of Nursing

International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Location options

Professional accreditations, nursing and midwifery board of australia.

Entry into this course is based on an applicant's literacy and numeracy skills (ACSF Exit Level 3 - working at Level 4) or satisfactory VCE completion with minimum score of 20 for English or 25 in EAL and satisfactory score for Units 1 and 2 in Maths.  For information on essential physical and behavioural abilities needed to perform assessment tasks and professional placements, please review the Informed Choices statement.

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

Course prerequisites

• Satisfactory completion of VCE, with a minimum score of 20 for English or 25 in EAL and satisfactory score for Units 1 and 2 in Maths
• ACSF Exit Level 3 (working at Level 4), or above, in both literacy and numeracy as determined by completion of literacy and numeracy testing (BKSB) as part of the application process. 

Other requirements

English language requirements.

The Diploma of Nursing has program entry criteria set by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council. All students entering this program must demonstrate they have achieved the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) specified level of English language skills, prior to commencing the program.

You must demonstrate your English language competency in one of the following ways:

• English is your primary language and you have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the recognised countries*, including at least two years between years 7 and 12.
• You have successfully completed at least five (5) years (full-time equivalent) continuous education taught and assessed solely in English, in a recognised country that is a combination of:

a)    tertiary and secondary education taught and assessed in English; or

b)    tertiary and vocational education taught and assessed in English; or

c)    combined tertiary, secondary and vocational education taught and            assessed in English; or

d)    tertiary education taught and assessed in English

• The last period of education must have been completed no more than five years prior to applying for registration.
• IELTS (academic Module) with a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components
• OET with a minimum score of B in each of the four components
• PTE (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills
• TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and a minimum score of 24 in listening, 24 in reading, 27 in writing and 23 in speaking

* Recognised countries include Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa or the United States of America.

Additional requirements

• Applicants must be 18 years of age at the time of placement
• NDIS Worker Screening Check 
• National Police Check*
• Working with Children Check (Volunteer or Employee) for the duration of the program.

**If a candidate believes there would be a disclosable issue on their National Police Check, a confidential conversation will be required prior to enrolment to determine suitability for work within the healthcare environment.

Immunisations

This course requires up-to-date evidence of immunisations. If you are not willing to provide up-to-date evidence, you will not be eligible to complete this program.

Immunisation requirements include the following:

• COVID19 (three doses are required and students must have had at least two doses at the commencement of the course).
• Measles / Mumps / Rubella
• Diphtheria / Tetanus/ Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Hepatitis B
• Influenza (Annual requirement)
• Tuberculosis Screening – QuantiFERON Gold test  

For more information about the minimum immunisation requirements please download the:

• Vaccination for healthcare workers information
• COVID19 Worker vaccination requirements  

Additional immunisations may be required in response to any changes in Government policy or the specific requirements of the organisation you attend for your clinical placement. Further information will be provided at the commencement of the course.

Informed Choices Statement

View the  Informed Choices statement , which provides information about the inherent requirements of nursing, specifically the essential physical and behavioural abilities needed to perform assessment tasks and professional placements in nursing and progress to a career in this field. This information is intended to assist you to choose whether you can successfully participate in and complete a course.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements  for general information about the admission process.

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

• IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
• Swinburne’s  English for Academic Purposes  (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65% or above
• or equivalent measures available at  English language requirements .

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Credit transfer

Credit transfer is the recognition of academic credits gained through formal study (i.e. units of competency) completed either at another institute or in another qualification. The total amount of credit will vary from individual to individual, based on the unit/s that have been successfully completed. 

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process of transferring the skills and knowledge that you have acquired over your lifetime (irrespective of how they were obtained) against the requirements of the unit.  

RPL is an assessment process that requires you to provide evidence that demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the unit/s. The amount and types of evidence you will need to provide will depend on the unit requirements.

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

Certificate III in Health Services Assistance

Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport

Course structure.

The course consists of 25 units of study made up of 20 core units and five elective units.

The program is structured in to 3 phases of study, all 6 months duration and each with their own focus. Phase 1 provides foundational understanding of human anatomy and the development of patient assessment skills to enable recognition of deterioration and appropriate responses.

Phase 2 builds on previously acquired knowledge and prepares the student for delivering nursing care in a more complex setting, which includes the administration of medications.

The final phase of delivery focuses on knowledge of specific care and disease processes and nursing management and medication administration, including IV medication administration and therapies. The objective of this phase is to bring all acquired skills and knowledge together to ensure you can recognise and respond to deterioration appropriately and maintain patient safety in the clinical environment.

Full fee* ($AUD)

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($aud), yearly fee* ($aud), fees are estimates only.

Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

Skills first government-subsidised place

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. To qualify for a government-subsidised place, you must meet various eligibility criteria. The course you’ve applied for must also be offering government-subsidised places. Swinburne will determine your eligibility by conducting a full assessment of your eligibility during the course application process.

How do I pay my fees?

You can pay your Swinburne fees in person, via credit card, BPAY, or at Australia Post. Check to see if loans and employer sponsored training are also available.

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

• log in to My Financials
• check your Australian bank account details are correct 
• check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
• pay using your preferred payment method.

Eligibility for VET student loans (VSL)

If you apply for a VET Student Loan, Swinburne must first verify your identity. If you are eligible, we will provide your enrolment information to the government so you can complete the application within their eCAF system.

The VET Student Loan amount for this course is capped. You must start repaying this loan once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold.

Concessions rates for vocational students

Concession rates for Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs are also available if you self-identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and qualify for a government-subsidised training place under the Indigenous Completions Initiative. The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.

Study this course for free in 2024

You could have your tuition fees covered in 2024 thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative. 

Free TAFE for Priority Courses is available to any Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen.

There are other factors, too. The best way to find out if you’re eligible is to apply!

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

From 1 January 2024, all Diploma level and above courses will contribute to the Student Services and Amenities fee. Below is the capped amount for 2025 as a guide ahead of fees for 2024 being announced.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

Scholarships.

Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.

Apply through VTAC

International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria. 

VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

Intake at capacity

We've reached capacity in this course for the July 2024 intake. The next available intake is February 2025 at the Wantirna campus. If you'd like to know more  get in touch with us today.