Diploma of Nursing

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Diploma of Nursing - HLT54115

VOCATIONAL

Develop the skills to register and work as an enrolled nurse anywhere in Australia.

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Student type:
Mode of study:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Full-time 1.5 years
Fees:

Fee finder

*Free TAFE course

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Bundoora
Mode of study:
On campus
Entry score:

IELTS 7.0

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Fees:

AU$19,250 (2022 annual)

Next intake:
Not applicable
Location:
Melbourne City
Bundoora

Overview

At RMIT, you’ll build knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment.

RMIT nursing students gain real-life practical experience

Hands on learning in an industry setting

Students accepted into the accelerated C5365EPW stream have the opportunity to study whilst embedded in the Epworth Healthcare environment.

Find out more

Why study nursing at RMIT?

Through on-campus simulation laboratories and real-world industry placements, you’ll graduate ready to help others. At RMIT, you’ll build knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment.

Get ready for work

With supervised clinical placements, you’ll reinforce the theory and skills learned in class while gaining experience in a healthcare environment.

Opportunities for further study

You may be able to continue your studies with the Bachelor of Nursing. A bachelor degree will allow you to work as a registered nurse.

Professionally recognised

This diploma is a nationally accredited qualification. Upon graduation, you can register with the National Health Practitioners Regulation Agency AHPRA, allowing you to work anywhere in Australia.

What you will study

You’ll learn to work with patients of all ages in different environments. There is a focus on aged care, community, and mental health.

You’ll also learn how to administer intravenous medications and gain the skills in acute care, which involves medical and surgical nursing skills.

Example areas of study

  • Basic anatomy and physiology
  • Wound management
  • Analyse Health Information
  • Infection control
  • Medications and intravenous administration
  • Care for patients with acute and chronic conditions
  • Implement nursing care plans
  • Evaluate the care provided
Gain hands-on experience studying nursing at RMIT

You’ll benefit from a technology-enhanced learning experience using simulation laboratories, and a new web-based simulation. This combined with a minimum of 400 hours of work placement ensures that you will graduate work-ready.

I have always felt the need to help people, and studying nursing has given me a way to do that. I also no longer feel helpless in the face of medical emergencies.
- Alicia White, Diploma of Nursing Alicia White, Diploma of Nursing

*This is a JobTrainer and Free TAFE priority course. Check your eligibility.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Details

Develop the skills to work as an enrolled nurse. You’ll graduate with the skills to provide acute, preventive, curative and rehabilitative care, under the direction of a registered nurse.

As part of your studies, you’ll learn to work with patients of all ages in different environments. There is a focus on aged care, community and mental health.

You’ll also learn how to administer intravenous and other medications and gain skills in acute care which involves medical/surgical nursing skills.

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RMIT provides a blended learning environment that includes face-to-face classes, practical lab sessions, and clinical placement, with some online delivery.

You’ll benefit from a technology-enhanced learning experience using simulation laboratories and a new web-based simulation experience. This combined with a minimum of 400 hours of work placement ensures that you will graduate work ready.

With supervised clinical placements, you'll reinforce the theory and skills learned in class while gaining real-world experience in a healthcare environment.

You will complete a minimum of 400 hours of clinical placement (equivalent of up to 12 weeks).

While undertaking the Diploma of Nursing, students generally attend classes four days per week.

During your first year, you will complete two two-week full-time blocks of clinical placement. In second year, you will complete three two-week blocks.

During your placement, you can expect to work either morning shifts that start at 7am, or afternoon shifts which finish at 10pm, from Monday to Friday. Students should also expect some placements to be in regional Victoria.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this diploma and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

View the learning outcomes for each stream:

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this diploma and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

View the learning outcomes for each stream:

Year 1

Your first year of studies will cover:

  • basic anatomy and physiology
  • wound management
  • training in cultural diversity and coping with challenging behaviour
  • infection control
  • legal and ethical parameters of nursing
  • patient assessment.

You will also do five to six weeks of clinical placement.

Year 2

In your second year you will:

  • develop analytical skills as you learn to care for patients with acute and chronic conditions
  • be introduced to medication and intravenous administration
  • learn how to implement nursing care plans and to evaluate the care provided
  • complete four to five weeks of clinical placement.

Epworth Healthcare Partnership stream

RMIT and Epworth have partnered to offer students accepted into the C5365EPW stream the opportunity to undertake an intensive version of the qualification delivered over 18 months with professional placement within Epworth Hospital facilities while studying.

Students of this accelerated, hands-on stream will be provided with a blended learning experience, including practical placement, face-to-face and online study, as well as self-directed learning. Within a supervised work placement over 18 months, students will reinforce the theory and skills learned through RMIT while gaining real-world experience in a healthcare environment.

In this challenging stream, you will undertake a total of 600 hours of clinical placements predominantly within Epworth Healthcare facilities. This is an additional 200 hours than required by the other streams in this diploma.

The initial placement will be with aged care providers located across Victoria, potentially including rural locations. Placements 2, 3, 4 and 5 will be at Epworth Healthcare facilities around inner Melbourne. 

In your first semester, you will complete 11 subjects, plus a clinical placement of 120 hours.

In your second semester, you will complete 9 subjects, and two 80-hour clinical placements.

In your third semester, you will complete 5 subjects and two 160-hour clinical placements. 

Upon completion of this diploma, students of this stream are guaranteed an interview for an ongoing professional role with Epworth Healthcare.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Diploma of Nursing
Program code: C5365
National curriculum code: HLT54115
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Diploma of Nursing
City Campus
2 years full-time
C5365
093615K
Location
City Campus
Duration
2 years full-time
Plan code
C5365
CRICOS
093615K
View plan
Diploma of Nursing
City Campus
18 months Full time
C5365EPW
Location
City Campus
Duration
18 months Full time
Plan code
C5365EPW
CRICOS
View plan
Diploma of Nursing
City Campus
18 months Full time
C5365WVP
Location
City Campus
Duration
18 months Full time
Plan code
C5365WVP
CRICOS
View plan
Diploma of Nursing
Bundoora Campus
2 years full-time
C5365BU
093615K
Location
Bundoora Campus
Duration
2 years full-time
Plan code
C5365BU
CRICOS
093615K
View plan

VTAC Code

If you are eligible to apply via VTAC, copy and paste the below code into VTAC search.

  • Plan C5365 - 3200372334
  • Plan C5365BU - 3200272334

Please ensure that you have checked the admissions requirements and apply page before applying.

Please note: the above plans are not currently available for new commencing international students.

Please note: Plans C5365EPW and C5365WVP are not available to international students.

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

IMPORTANT: International students can only enrol in plans that have a CRICOS code. Plans listed above which do not display a CRICOS code are not CRICOS registered. RMIT is in the process of seeking CRICOS registration for these plans and is awaiting the outcome.

Career

Foreground two female RMIT nursing students wearing black scrubs, stethoscopes and facemasks in a hospital room with hospital beds and equipment and other nurses in the background.

Your career in nursing

There is a high demand for enrolled nurses, and job expectations are strong. You will help provide acute, preventative, curative and rehabilitative care under the direction of a registered nurse.

Graduates who complete this course can go on to work in:

  • acute (hospital) care
  • medical centres
  • mental health
  • rehabilitation
  • palliative care
  • aged care settings.
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The Diploma of Nursing is nationally accredited.

After graduating, you will meet the academic requirements to apply to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for registration as an Enrolled Nurse. The registration requirements are set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and in addition to the academic requirements, include other registration standards.

AHPRA is governed by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC). AHPRA registration enables graduates to practise anywhere in Australia.

Admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

  • You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12, or an equivalent qualification.
    • If you have not completed Year 12 (or equivalent), you may choose to sit a Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Multiple Choice in order to be considered for this program. Applicants who wish to supplement their academic record may also choose to sit the STAT Multiple Choice. STAT Multiple Choice applicants must meet the eligibility requirements.
  • You must be at least 18 years of age by the commencement date of the program.
  • You must meet the English language requirements. See the ‘Selection tasks’ and ‘English language requirements’ headings for further information.

Ranking

Entry to this program is competitive. Eligible applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., ATAR, GPA or STAT Multiple Choice (including any adjustments). 

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

Semester 2, 2022

All selection tasks must be submitted by 17 June 2022. Entry into this program is competitive, and applications are assessed in the order that they are received until this date, if places are still available. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

The selection task is:

  • A PDF file: Evidence of English Proficiency for the RMIT Diploma of Nursing Program.

This is a declaration form used to show that you meet the English language requirements for entry to the program. See the ‘English language requirements’ heading for information on how you can meet this requirement.

The link to submit your selection task will appear on your applicant dashboard a few minutes after you have submitted your application (please refresh the dashboard until it appears). You must download the PDF, complete the form correctly including the necessary signatures, and upload it into your direct application.

Your application for the Diploma of Nursing cannot be considered until your selection task (declaration form) has been submitted correctly. As entry to this program is competitive, you are encouraged to submit your selection task as soon as possible after submitting your program application.

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) requires all applicants for the Diploma of Nursing to provide evidence of meeting the required English proficiency level prior to entry. See the NMBA website for details.

Applicants can meet the English proficiency level for entry into the program by:

Option 1:

Submitting a declaration that English is your primary language. Primary language can be defined as the language mainly used for reading, writing, listening and speaking and the language best known and most comfortable with.

You must also have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English. At least two years of this education must have been between grades 7 and 12. This education must have been completed in one or more of the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America.

Option 2:

Achieving the minimum English language test results as specified in the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) English language skills registration standard,

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 or an equivalent senior secondary school qualification with a minimum average of 50% (see calculator below).

You must be at least 18 years of age by the commencement date of the program.

Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.

Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

All applicants must provide evidence of one of the following:

  1. Successful completion of at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in Australia or in any one of the recognised countries*, including at least two years between years 7 and 12.

    OR     
  2. Completion of at least 5 years (full time equivalent) of continuous study across secondary, vocational and tertiary education, in Australia or in any one of the recognised countries*. The 5 years of education can be any combination of secondary, vocational and tertiary education, or it can just be tertiary education.

    OR
  3. Demonstrated achievement of the required minimum scores in one of the following formal English language tests and meeting the requirements for test results:
    • IELTS (academic module): Minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking)
    • OET: Minimum score of B in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking)
    •  PTE Academic: Minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
    • TOEFL Internet based test (iBT): Minimum total score of 94 and a minimum score in each section of the test: 
      • 24 for listening
      • 24 for reading
      • 27 for writing
      • 23 for speaking

The above test results must be within 2 years of the date of application for the Diploma of Nursing program and from one sitting only. If you have achieved these scores over a maximum of 2 test sittings over 6 months, additional requirements apply.

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

Additional information

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Non-academic abilities you’ll need to complete this program

The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.

The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.

If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Service to discuss any adjustments you may require.

By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, you can:

  • understand more about the program
  • determine if you may need support during your studies
  • make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for you

If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.

To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with Equitable Learning Service

The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.

Students who are successful in obtaining a place in the program must meet a number of Immunisation and Compliance requirements upon commencement of their studies in the program.

Immunisation and vaccination requirements

  • Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (dTpa – adult dose), must be this immunisation NOT ADT (Adult Diphtheria/Tetanus – does not contain the pertussis component)
  • Poliomyelitis: primary course of 3 vaccination doses
  • Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR, 2 vaccination doses AND blood test (serology report) to confirm immunity
  • Hepatitis A: primary course of 2 vaccination doses OR serology to show immunity to Hep A Ab
  • Hepatitis B: primary course of 3 vaccination doses AND serology to confirm anti-HBV level is greater than or equal to 10mIU/ml
  • Varicella: 2 vaccination doses OR blood test (serology report) to confirm immunity OR history of chickenpox
  • Influenza Vaccination: annual requirement
  • Tuberculin Screen: Tuberculin Skin Test OR Quantiferon TB Assay blood test (serology) to show immunity. This is an annual requirement for the duration of your study.
  • Covid-19 Vaccination: annual requirement

Please note: A full course of immunisations can take up to 7 months to complete, you should contact your medical practitioner prior to entering the program to commence immunisations. It is a requirement that you will have commenced all immunisations and will continue to progress this until completion of the vaccination courses by the deadlines set by the university.

Important: Additional immunisations may be required in response to changes in Government regulations or at the request of the placement host organisation.

Age by commencement

  • All students must be 18 years of age prior to commencing their placements:
    • For students starting studies in Semester 1, they must be 18 years of age before March of the same year. 
    • For students starting studies in Semester 2, they must be 18 years of age before August of the same year.

Working with Children Check

You will be required to hold a Victorian Working with Children Check valid for 5 years, prior to undertaking clinical components as part of this program.

Note: For clinical components undertaken interstate a valid Working With Children Check for that state is required.

National police record check

You will be required to present evidence of a successful National police record check prior to undertaking the clinical components of this program (this is an annual requirement for the duration of your program). Checks are conducted via fit2work. An account with fit2work will be created using your name and your RMIT issued student email address once studies in the program have commenced. Further information will be provided once enrolment has been completed.

NDIS Worker Screening Check*

Applicants may be required to apply for, and receive an acceptable NDIS Worker Screening Check prior to undertaking professional placement with an NDIS provider as part of this program.

*All relevant screening and compliance check fees are the responsibility of the student. 

Pathways

Animated character in front of RMIT pixel, with a flying degree above their head

Understanding pathways

Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred degree. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree.

Explore the pathway finder
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The completion of the Science Stream of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation may provide a pathway into this program.

Graduates of this course may be eligible for exemptions from the Bachelor of Nursing, subject to meeting the entry requirements.

Graduates completing their program more than twelve months prior to their application but less than 10 years will also require registration as an Enrolled Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

For more information, explore our Pathway finder, or contact Study@RMIT.

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

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There are currently no programs that lead into this Diploma.

Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.

When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.

You may be eligible for entry into the Bachelor of Nursing with 2 semesters of credit (equivalent to 96 credit points) when you successfully complete the Diploma of Nursing. The remaining duration will depend on the commencing intake of the Bachelor of Nursing.

Applicants for the RMIT Bachelor of Nursing program will be required to meet the new English language skills standard specified by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Completion of the RMIT Diploma of Nursing may no longer meet this standard and applicants may have to submit current English proficiency test results to meet the new requirement.

English proficiency tests must be taken within two years of the bachelor commencement date.

If you have completed the Diploma of Nursing more than 12 months but less than 10 years prior to your Bachelor of Nursing application, you must be registered as an enrolled Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and provide of evidence of this in order to qualify for selection and receive full credit.

Alternatively you may be eligible for entry into other RMIT honours postgraduate programs.

Fees

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Free TAFE for priority courses

The Victorian Government is currently waiving tuition fees for this program for students who meet eligibility requirements for government subsidised places.

JobTrainer courses

JobTrainer is a joint initiative between the Commonwealth and State Government which provides additional funding for free or low-fee (20% of the listed tuition fee) training courses for young people and job seekers. Eligible applicants will be able to access up to one full qualification and one short course or skill set under the JobTrainer fund.

Visit Free TAFE for priority courses for further information on what this means and whether you may be eligible.

If you have any questions you can contact Study@RMIT.

The tuition fees below will apply if you are not receiving a Free TAFE or JobTrainer fee waiver.

2022 fees

The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place. To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at How to check if you are eligible.

  • 2022 government subsidised place: AU$9,000* per annum
  • 2022 full-fee place: AU$17,250* per annum

*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.

Fee finder

Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$315 maximum fee for 2022.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment

The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Eligibility Exemption criteria

**The Victorian Government is currently waiving three (3) eligibility criteria around prior qualifications. This means that more people who want to study a vocational education program at RMIT, and who have studied previously, will be able to access a government subsidised place in a program. Find out how to check your eligibility

Defer your payment

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.

Payments and refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2022 is $315.

For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.

VET Student Loans

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.

How does a VET Student Loan work?

If your VET Student Loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT your tuition fees on your behalf, up to the maximum loan amount for your program.

Your VET Student Loan becomes part of your VETSL debt. You will start repaying your accumulated VETSL debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is adjusted each year (this also applies if you are still studying).

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

For more information see VET Student Loans or Study Assist.

VET Student Loan cap

If your program is eligible for the VET Student Loan scheme and has a loan cap that doesn’t cover the total amount of the tuition fees for your program, then you’ll need to pay RMIT the difference by the due date once you exceed the cap.

It’s easy for you to keep track of your VET Student Loan debt, and you can choose to make upfront payments at any time before the census date. 

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

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The annual tuition fee for 2022 is AU$19,250.

The total indicative tuition fee for 2022 commencement is AU$39,000.

In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

This qualification has been superseded by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment.

Local applicants visit C5417 Diploma of Nursing - HLT54121 for full details and to apply.

If you are an international student please select 'switch to international' below to view the full course information.

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torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information