This page is updated when information changes, but it's always best to talk to your training provider to confirm course details before you enrol.
Overview
Get ready for a nursing career. Study patient care, clinical practice and health support with practical placements.
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.
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Financial help
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Cost
Course costs can vary by provider and location. Ask your training provider for a cost estimate.
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VET Student Loans are available
See training providers offering VET Student Loans -
You may need to pay for equipment or materials.
To see how government funding could help to reduce the cost of your course, check your eligibility for funding.
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On-the-job training
- Apprenticeships and traineeships are not available for this course.
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Entry requirements
This course doesn't have any entry requirements. It could be a good starting point for your career.
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Duration
You complete this course when you’ve learned the skills, not after a set amount of time. The times shown are estimates.
- Qualification only:
1–2 years
- Qualification only:
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Delivery options
You may be able to access this training in these ways:
Course content
This course is made up of units.
All courses have core units—these are mandatory for completing the course. Most courses also have elective units, which you can choose from to suit your needs and interests. Not all training providers offer every elective, so check with your provider to find out which electives they can offer you.
For more information about course content, talk to your training provider or visit the National Training Register.
| Unit | Unit type |
|---|---|
| Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy | Core |
| Analyse and respond to client health information | Core |
| Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control | Core |
| Apply communication skills in nursing practice | Core |
| Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice | Core |
| Apply nursing practice in the primary health care setting | Core |
| Apply principles of wound management | Core |
| Confirm physical health status | Core |
| Follow safe work practices for direct client care | Core |
| Implement and monitor care for a person with acute health conditions | Core |
| Implement and monitor care for a person with chronic health conditions | Core |
| Implement and monitor care for a person with mental health conditions | Core |
| Implement and monitor care of the older person | Core |
| Implement, monitor and evaluate nursing care | Core |
| Perform clinical assessment and contribute to planning nursing care | Core |
| Practise nursing within the Australian health care system | Core |
| Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety | Core |
| Provide end of life care and a palliative approach in nursing practice | Core |
| Reflect on and improve own professional practice | Core |
| Work with diverse people | Core |
| Apply and use basic oral health products | Elective |
| Apply nursing practice in the paediatric care setting | Elective |
| Communicate and work in health or community services | Elective |
| Contribute to maternal and infant health care | Elective |
| Contribute to the nursing care of a person with diabetes | Elective |
| Develop personal work priorities | Elective |
| Facilitate workplace-based learning | Elective |
| Implement and monitor infection prevention and control standards, policies and procedures | Elective |
| Inform and support patients and groups about oral health | Elective |
| Lead team effectiveness | Elective |
| Maintain work health and safety | Elective |
| Manage personal stressors in the work environment | Elective |
| Provide Advanced First Aid | Elective |
| Provide First Aid | Elective |
| Recognise and respond to oral health issues | Elective |
| Research and apply evidence to practice | Elective |
| Respond to client language, literacy and numeracy needs | Elective |
| Support the provision of basic nutritional advice and education | Elective |
| Visit client residence | Elective |
Job prospects
The Diploma of Nursing sets you up for roles like these, but the skills you learn could take you even further.
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Nurse Practitioner
ANZSCO 254411
Nurse Practitioners provide advanced and extended nursing care to patients.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
ANZSCO 254412
Registered Nurses (Aged Care) provide nursing care to the elderly in community settings, residential aged care facilities, retirement villages and health care facilities.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
ANZSCO 254413
Registered Nurses (Child and Family Health) provide nursing care to children and their families, with an emphasis on the prevention, early detection of, and early intervention in, physical, emotional and social problems affecting children and their families.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Registered Nurse (Community Health)
ANZSCO 254414
Registered Nurses (Community Health) provide nursing care, health counselling, screening and education to individuals, families and groups in the wider community with a focus on patient independence and health promotion.
Recommended education level:
Bachelor degree or higher -
Enrolled Nurse
ANZSCO 411411
Provide nursing care to patients under the supervision of registered nurses.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Mothercraft Nurse
ANZSCO 411412
Mothercraft Nurses provide care to newborn infants, and provide advice and training on infant care to parents of newborn infants.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Residential Care Officer
ANZSCO 411715
Residential Care Officers provide care and supervision for children or disabled persons in group housing or institutional care.
Recommended education level:
Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree -
Aged and Disabled Carer
ANZSCO 423111
Provide companionship and practical support to aged and disabled persons in their own homes
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Nursing Support Worker
ANZSCO 423312
Nursing Support Workers provide limited patient care under the direction of nursing staff.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III -
Personal Care Assistant
ANZSCO 423313
Personal Care Assistants provide routine personal care services to people in a range of health care facilities or in a person's home.
Recommended education level:
Certificate II or III
Training providers delivering Diploma of Nursing
It's a good idea to research multiple training providers to make sure you're getting the right training for you.
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TAFE QUEENSLAND (RTO code 0275)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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CQUniversity Australia (RTO code 40939)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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Mater Education Limited (RTO code 5210)
Government funding
- Skills Assure Supplier
Contact this provider
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INSTITUTE OF HEALTH AND NURSING AUSTRALIA (RTO code 21985)
Contact this provider
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Queensford College (RTO code 31736)
Contact this provider
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Strategix Training (RTO code 31418)
Contact this provider
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SuniTAFE (RTO code 4693)
Contact this provider
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THINK : COLLEGES (RTO code 0269)
Contact this provider
How to enrol in this course
To enrol, choose a training provider that offers this course. You can see provider details on this page.
When you find one that you think suits you, visit their website or contact them directly to confirm details like start dates, fees, funding, delivery locations and delivery options.
The provider will guide you through the enrolment process.
How do apprenticeships and traineeships work?
Apprenticeships and traineeships let you combine hands-on work experience with training. You’ll gain job-ready skills and earn an income while you complete a qualification.
As an apprentice or a trainee, you work with an employer while completing your training. Most of your time is spent learning on the job, with some classroom or online training to support the skills you're developing in the workplace.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Find out more about apprenticeships and traineeships.
See more information about the apprenticeship or traineeship you’re interested in pursuing on the Queensland Training Information Service.
How long will this course take?
This course is competency-based training, which means you progress as you demonstrate your skills and knowledge, rather than in a set amount of time.
The duration shown here is an estimate for full-time study based on how long most people take to complete the course. You may finish earlier than other people, or it may take you a bit longer.
If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get credits or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the time needed for training.
Duration for apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships take longer than doing the qualification on its own, but you learn valuable hands-on skills.
For some jobs, you may need to do an apprenticeship or traineeship before you are allowed to work as a qualified tradesperson. For example, you need to do an apprenticeship if you want to work as a licensed electrician.
Learn about how courses are delivered
Different courses have different delivery options. Consider your needs when you’re researching courses. Some courses may be delivered entirely online or partially online. Others may be delivered in a classroom.
Some courses, like those delivered through apprenticeships and traineeships, are mostly based in the workplace but with some classroom or online study.
If a certain type of delivery is important to you, talk to your provider before you enrol to make sure they offer that delivery option.
How to reduce the cost of your course
There are lots of ways you can reduce the cost of your course.
- The government could partly or fully cover the cost of your course. See information about financial help and government funding on this page.
- The government also offers funding for some costs related to your course.
- If you’ve already completed training or have worked in a relevant area, you could get a cost credit or recognition of prior learning. This can reduce the training you need to complete a qualification, which could reduce the cost.
Learn about financial help and government funding
The main cost of training is usually the course fees, which vary depending on things like which course and training provider you choose.
You may be able to get your training for free or at a reduced cost, or you could get help with paying for training-related costs. You can also pay for some courses with a VET Student Loan.
Find out more about getting help paying for your training or check if you're eligible.
What are entry requirements?
Some courses have conditions you need to meet before you can enrol in the course. They help make sure you have the right background or skills for the training.
Entry requirements might include a certain education level, skills or knowledge, work status, or experience.