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Diploma of Nursing

HLT54121

Enrol in Free Nursing

Mater Education is an approved provider of the Queensland Government's fully funded Free Nursing incentive in 2025.  

Study a fully funded Diploma of Nursing at:

  • Mater Hospital Brisbane
  • Mater Health Hub, Springfield
  • Mater Private Hospital Townsville

Free Nursing places are limited and conditions and criteria apply. Please speak with us to find out more.

About our Diploma of Nursing

Our full time, hands-on, hospital-based program provides contemporary theoretical knowledge and best-practice clinical skills. A blended delivery approach, it incorporates face-to-face, online and self-directed learning, offering flexibility to balance study with work and other commitments. 

To ensure a holistic and well-rounded experience, you will undertake 400 hours of work placement across Mater’s exceptional hospitals, healthcare services and partner facilities including aged care and community care. Work placement is organised for you by our dedicated placement team, who are there to support you every step of the way. 

Our highly qualified educators and clinical facilitators will prepare you for life as a nurse in the real world, with the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to step straight onto the ward. You will join our alumni of like-minded nurses and be able to access exceptional networking opportunities to help you build a rewarding professional career.  

On successful completion of the program, you will be able to apply for National Registration and a licence to practice as an enrolled nurse.

View course flyer

Hear from our students

Course information

  • To be accepted into Mater Education's Diploma of Nursing program, applicants must:

    • be a minimum of 18 years of age or older upon completion of the qualification (students entering into an 18 month full-time qualification must be 16 years and 6 months old on day one of the course)
    • by the beginning of term two, semester one, hold a HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certificate and to be current for the duration of enrolment in the program
    • be eligible to obtain a Blue Card if required
    • apply for a NDIS Worker Screening Check on commencement
    • obtain criminal history checks at the start of term two, semester one
    • demonstrate a high level of literacy and numeracy skills at or above Exit Level 3 of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF)
    • understand and meet the Inherent Requirements outlining the behaviours, capabilities, knowledge and skills required to successfully complete the program
    • have access to and be proficient in the use of a laptop or portable device with internet access. To ensure access to Mater Education's virtual learning environment, this device should have a camera and up-to-date software, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and Adobe Flash Player.

    Immunisation

    Provide the required immunisation and vaccination evidence by the census date (during week 5 of the program) in order to be eligible to commence placement:

    • Hepatitis B
    • Varicella (chicken pox)
    • MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
    • Pertussis (whooping cough)
    • Seasonal or industry vaccinations (influenza) as required
    • COVID-19 - While Mater Education strongly recommends that all students are vaccinated, it is not a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enrol, study and undergo placement at any Mater facility. However, Diploma of Nursing students are required to undergo practical placement at an aged care facility during semester one. As many external aged care providers require their entire workforce to be vaccinated against COVID-19, students will need to be vaccinated to complete their placement and gain their qualification.

    If you need to update your vaccinations or obtain a record of your immunisation history, see your GP. A blood test may be required to confirm your immunisation status. Students will be responsible for any costs associated with obtaining vaccinations. 

    English language standards

    To register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as an Enrolled Nurse, you must meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)'s English language skills registration standard requirements at the time of your application. Mater Education will only enrol students into the Diploma of Nursing program who meet the NMBA’s English Language Standards via one of the pathways listed below. 

    Primary language pathway

    English is your primary language, and you provide evidence that you have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country, including at least two years between years 7 and 12.

    Recognised countries
    Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries
    Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries
    Antigua and Barbuda

    Bermuda

    Gibralter

    Jersey

    St Lucia
    Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries
    Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries
    Anguilla

    British Indian Ocean Territory

    Grenada

    Malta

    St Vincent and the Grenadines
    Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries
    Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries
    Australia

    Canada

    Guernsey

    New Zealand

    Trinidad and Tobago
    Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries
    Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries
    The Bahamas

    Cayman Islands

    Guyana

    Republic of Ireland

    United Kingdom
    Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries
    Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries
    Barbados

    Dominica

    Isle of Man

    Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

    United States of America
    Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries
    Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries,Recognised countries
    Belize

    Falkland Islands

    Jamaica

    St Kitts and Nevis

    US Virgin Islands


    Test pathway

    Where English is not your primary language you will need to provide evidence of your English Language Proficiency Test.

    Requirements

    Test

    Overall score needed

    Component scores needed

    Test results accepted from one test sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a 12-month period only if: 


    Cambridge (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency)

    (Paper and computer at test centre only)


    Minimum score of 185


    Minimum overall score of 185 in each of the three components:

    • listening
    • reading
    • speaking

    and minimum score of 176 in the one component of writing.


    1. you are tested in all four components in each sitting
    2. you achieve a minimum score of 185 in each component for listening, reading and speaking and a minimum score of 176 for writing across the two sittings, and
    3. when using two test sittings no score in any component of the test(s) for either test sitting is below 176.

    IELTS 
     (Academic- paper and computer at test centre only)


    Overall score of 7


    Minimum score of 7 in each of the three components:

    • listening
    • reading
    • speaking

    and minimum score of 6.5 in the one component writing


    1. you achieve a minimum overall score of 7 in each sitting, and
    2. you achieve a minimum score of 7 in each component for listening, reading and speaking and a minimum score of 6.5 for writing across the two sittings, and
    3. when using two test sittings no score in any component of the test(s) for either test sitting is below 6.5.

    OET (on paper or computer based in testing centre)

    (any profession specific OET test can be accepted)




    Minimum score of B in each of the three components:

    • listening
    • reading
    • speaking 

    and minimum score of C+ in the one component writing.


    1. you are tested in all four components in each sitting, and
    2. you achieve a minimum score of B in each component for listening, reading and speaking and a minimum score of C+ for writing across the two sittings, and
    3. when using two test sittings no score in any component of the test(s) for either test sitting is below C+.

    PTE Academic (computer at test centre only)


    Minimum overall score of 66


    Minimum score of 66 in each of the three communicative skills:

    • listening
    • reading
    • speaking

    and minimum score of 56 in one communicative skill writing.


    1. a minimum overall score of 66 is achieved in each sitting, and
    2. you achieve a minimum score of 66 in each of the communicative skills of listening, reading and speaking and a minimum score of 56 in writing across the two sittings, and
    3. when using two test sittings no score in any of the communicative skills for either test sitting is below 56.

    TOEFL iBT

    (computer at test centre only)


    Minimum total score of 94


    • 24 for listening
    • 24 for reading
    • 24 for writing, and
    • 23 for speaking

    1. a minimum total score of 94 is achieved in each sitting, and
    2. you achieve a minimum score of 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 24 for writing and 23 for speaking across the two sittings, and
    3. when using two test sittings no score in any of the test sitting sections is below:
      1. 20 for listening
      2. 19 for reading
      3. 24 for writing, and
      4. 20 for speaking.


    AHPRA may also ask you to provide evidence of how you meet the English language skills requirements in support of your Enrolled Nurse registration application.

    If you have any questions about enrolled nurse registration, or would like more information, use AHPRA's Online Enquiry Form or call them on 1300 419 495.

Placement

Mater Education has a dedicated placement team who will make arrangements for your mandatory placement as part of this program. You will undertake 400 hours of placement in specialties including:

  • acute medical
  • acute surgical
  • aged care
  • rehabilitation
  • orthopaedics
  • oncology
  • perioperative
  • maternity
  • community and at home care services.

Learn more

Graduate pathways

Graduate employment

You may choose to apply for the Mater Enrolled Nurses Graduate Program, only offered to students who have obtained a Diploma of Nursing with Mater Education. 

University

Mater Education and the Australian Catholic University (ACU) School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine have an agreement allowing 10 Mater Education Diploma of Nursing graduates to be accepted by direct entry into the ACU Bachelor of Nursing per year to study to become a Registered Nurse.

Learn more

  • Mater Education's Diploma of Nursing aims to develop your ability to assess, plan, implement, evaluate and apply critical-thinking skills. You’ll then apply these to provide quality patient-centred nursing care for patients/clients with varying healthcare requirements as a beginner-level enrolled nurse.

    The curriculum integrates all core competencies of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Enrolled Nurse Standards for Practice. The program ensures the central focus is on enrolled nursing practice and providing competent, safe, patient-centred care.

    Objectives/outcomes

    The major goal of Mater Education’s Diploma of Nursing is to have each student demonstrate a satisfactory level of knowledge, skills, attitude, communication and safety in all units of competency. As a graduate you will be expected to be clinically competent and ready to function as beginning enrolled nurses based on the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Enrolled Nurse Standards for Practice. 

    Learning philosophy

    Mater Education recognises that adult students are individuals and so adopts a learner-centred focus using a variety of teaching methods to meet their learning needs. These include:

    • problem-based learning tutorials (PBL)
    • lectures
    • online learning modules
    • videos
    • simulation
    • high-quality professional experience placements.

    The diagram shows how our evidence-based curriculum supports the students’ transition, both educationally and clinically. Our blended delivery methods promote critical thinking and support professional, multidisciplinary communication. What follows is a smooth transition from the learner-centred educational focus to the patient-centred care delivery through simulation and workplace experience placement.

    Conceptual framework

    Mater Education's Diploma of Nursing program’s conceptual framework is centred on the enrolled nursing professional and eight themes that support professional practice. An emphasis on knowledge, skills, attitudes, and professional and ethical practice as essential elements for enrolled nursing practice binds these themes together. The themes incorporate the three domains of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) Enrolled Nursing Standards for Practice:

    • professional and collaborative practice,
    • provision of care, and
    • reflective and analytical practice.

    By emphasising knowledge (capabilities), skills, attitudes, and professional and ethical practice as essential elements for enrolled nursing practice, these themes are bound together.

    The focus and themes of the conceptual framework align with Mater's teaching and learning strategy, which is based on a robust and systematic approach to transforming work-based cultures to deliver safe, high-quality patient care.

    The conceptual framework guides faculty, students, advisors, and academic staff in designing and implementing any component of the Diploma of Nursing curriculum, including student and program evaluation.

    Mater puts the patient at the centre of everything we do and provides an environment receptive to their perceptions of their care. Mater Education's curriculum has been designed to incorporate all of the above, based on this conceptual framework.

Mater Hospital Brisbane

Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane Qld 4101

Watch our Brisbane tour video

Mater Health Hub, Springfield

95 Southern Cross Circuit, Springfield Qld 4300

Find out more

Mater Private Hospital Townsville

21-37 Fulham Road, Pimlico Qld 4812

Watch our Townsville tour video