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Diploma of Nursing

HLT54121

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See your career in nursing take off with Mater Education’s Diploma of Nursing program. You will train in our world-class clinical simulation facility and learn from our team of expert nursing and clinical educators. 

Apply today to study in Brisbane and Townsville in July 2023!

The Diploma of Nursing program is offered at Mater Education’s Brisbane and Townsville campuses, and from October 2023, at our new Springfield* study location at Mater Health Hub Springfield. Classes are held face-to-face and online, offering flexibility to students balancing study with work and other commitments. On successful completion of the program you can apply for National Registration and a licence to practice as an enrolled nurse.

As you progress through this 18-month, hands-on program you will gain contemporary theoretical knowledge and best-practice clinical skills. You will also have the opportunity to undertake work experience across Mater’s network of hospitals, healthcare services, aged care centres and community care partners.

Mater Education is proud to offer rare scholarship opportunities for some eligible students from an indigenous or refugee background, as well as those facing financial hardship.

Scholarships are awarded on merit, and are available to eligible students commencing in January and July intakes in Brisbane and Townsville. For more information, click on the scholarships tab below or find out more here

Mater Education began delivering the updated HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing** in July 2022. 

*Subject to ANMAC approval

**Diploma of Nursing (HLT54115) was superseded by the Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) from 29 April 2021 and in accordance with transition arrangements, all students currently undertaking the Diploma of Nursing (HLT54115) will have until 31 December 2023 to complete. Continuing students unable to complete the program will be transitioned into the new Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) qualification through gap training and assessment.

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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) .
    • hold or obtain HLTAID011 Provide First Aid certificate by the beginning of term two, semester one with HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation current for the duration of enrolment of 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;
    • provide the required immunisation and vaccination evidence no later than the commencement of term two, semester one;
    • provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination at enrolment including COVID-19 booster;
    • have basic computer skills;
    • 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;
    • provide evidence of meeting at least one of the English language standards (listed below) prior to enrolment;
    • have access to a laptop or portable device with internet access. To ensure access to all online training material, it is highly recommended that this device has a camera. 

    Read more about resource requirements here.


    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 enrolment. Mater Education will only enrol students into the Diploma of Nursing program who meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s English Language Standards via one of the pathways listed below.

    1. Primary language pathway

    English is your primary language and you have attended at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America, including at least two years between years 7 and 12.  

    2. Test pathway

    • IELTS (academic module)—We only accept test results:
      • from one test sitting, or
      • a maximum of two test sittings in a six month period only if:
        • you achieve a minimum overall score of 7 in each sitting, and
        • you achieve a minimum score of 7 in each component across the two sittings, and
        • no score in any component of the test is below 6.5.
    • OET—We will only accept test results:
      • from one test sitting, or
      • a maximum of two test sittings in a six month period only if:
        • you are tested in all four components in each sitting, and
        • you achieve a minimum score of B in each component across the two sittings, and
        • no score in any component of the test is below C.
    • PTE Academic—We will only accept test results:
      • from one test sitting, or
      • a maximum of two test sittings in a six month period only if:
        • a minimum overall score of 65 is achieved in each sitting, and
        • you achieve a minimum score of 65 in each of the communicative skills across the two sittings, and
        • no score in any of the communicative skills is below 58.
    • TOEFL iBT—We will only accept test results:
      • from one test sitting, or
      • a maximum of two test sittings in a six month period only if:
        • a minimum total score of 94 is achieved in each sitting, and you achieve a minimum score of 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for  speaking across the two sittings, and
        • no score in any of the sections is below:
          • 20 for listening
          • 19 for reading
          • 24 for writing
          • 20 for speaking.

    For more information please refer to the English language skills registration standard policy for nurses and midwives on the AHPRA website.

    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.

    Immunisation

    Provide the required immunisation and vaccination evidence no later than the commencement of term two, semester one:

    • Hepatitis B
    • Varicella (chicken pox)
    • MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
    • Pertussis (whooping cough)
    • Seasonal vaccinations (influenza) as required
    • COVID-19 - two vaccinations and a booster

    You must hold or obtain HLTAID011 Provide First Aid certificate by the beginning of term two, semester one with HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation current for the duration of enrolment in the program.

Vocational 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 workplace experience placement in specialties including:

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

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  • After successfully completing Mater Education’s Diploma of Nursing program, a Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (National Board) approved program of study, you can apply to AHPRA for national registration to practice as an enrolled nurse.

    We recommend students apply for registration four to six weeks before completing the course.

    Please note, your tuition fees must be up to date to receive your Diploma qualification and register with AHPRA. If receipt of your qualification is delayed, you may need to pay additional registration fees to AHPRA.

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

    Pathways to 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 find out more about where the Diploma of Nursing can take you, watch our Qualification Overview video.


Scholarships

Mater Education is proud to offer rare scholarship opportunities for some eligible students from an Indigenous or refugee background, as well as those facing financial hardship. Find out more about our scholarship opportunities.

Find out more

Wanting to know more? Watch our student videos

Brisbane

Mater Education Brisbane is located on the hospital campus of Mater Hospital Brisbane. Our campus offers a range of classrooms, simulation labs and learning facilities, where students get to learn on a real hospital campus, gaining a unique, hands-on healthcare experience. From October 2023, Mater Education will offer a Diploma of Nursing study location at Springfield*, located at Mater Health Hub Springfield. For further information, contact Student Services on 1300 070 350.

Watch our Brisbane tour video

Townsville

Mater Education Townsville is located at Mater Private Hospital Townsville's Pimlico campus. Students are immersed in a real healthcare environment from day one, learning from experienced and passionate healthcare professionals.

Watch our Townsville tour video