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Diploma of Nursing

HLT54121

Nurses are in demand. Study the Diploma of Nursing fee-free. Limited places available.

The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training has approved Mater Education as a provider of Fee-Free TAFE. This program is proudly supported and funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments.

Study a Diploma of Nursing at:

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

Places are limited, conditions and criteria apply. Please speak with us to find out more.

About our Diploma of Nursing

The 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.

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

    Provide evidence of meeting at least one of the English language standards prior to enrolment.

    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 NMBA’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 NMBA 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.


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.

  • 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.

    Successful completion of Mater Education's Diploma of Nursing program does not guarantee registration as an Enrolled Nurse with AHPRA. Graduates must also meet AHPRA's Enrolled Nurse Registration Standards.

    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.


Wanting to know more? Watch our student videos

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

Study nursing fee-free

Kickstart your healthcare career in the new year! Study a Diploma of Nursing at Mater Hospital Brisbane, Mater Health Hub, Springfield, or Mater Private Hospital Townsville.

Limited places available, conditions apply.

Apply now