HomeCoursesNursingDiploma of Nursing

Diploma of Nursing

Studying this diploma prepares you to work as an enrolled nurse, caring for people at every stage of life in hospitals, aged care, community health and clinics.

Duration: 18 months to 2 years
Study mode: Online and on campus
Course code: HLT54121

Where you can study this course

Where

Study mode

TAFE NSW
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Campuses
21 campuses
Duration
18 months to 2 years
Study mode
Varies by campus
Full fee
Not stated by provider
What students say
Many students speak well of the facilities and campus, and some rate the trainers and teaching highly, though opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching and student support, and some found the organisation and admin frustrating.
Victoria University
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Campuses
11 campuses
Duration
Not yet checked
Study mode
Not yet checked
Full fee
Not yet checked
What students say
Most students praise the student support, while others find it frustrating. Many rate the facilities and campus well, and some criticise the organisation and admin.
Stanley College
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Campuses
4 campuses
Duration
Not yet checked
Study mode
Not yet checked
Full fee
Not yet checked
What students say
Most students rate the student support highly, while many also praise the trainers and teaching. Opinions are mixed on organisation and admin, and some found communication frustrating.
Charles Darwin University
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Campuses
12 campuses
Duration
Not yet checked
Study mode
Not yet checked
Full fee
Not yet checked
What students say
Students often praise the facilities and campus, while some value student support and course content. Some found organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on trainers and teaching, with communication also a concern.
Swinburne University of Technology
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Campuses
8 campuses
Duration
Not yet checked
Study mode
Not yet checked
Full fee
Not yet checked
What students say
Some students praise the facilities and campus, while some criticise organisation and admin for being frustrating, and opinions are mixed on course content. A number also mention student support and teaching positively or negatively.
TAFE Gippsland
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Campuses
11 campuses
Duration
Not yet checked
Study mode
Not yet checked
Full fee
Not yet checked
RMIT University
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Campuses
15 campuses
Duration
Not yet checked
Study mode
Not yet checked
Full fee
Not yet checked
What students say
Students often find organisation and admin frustrating, and opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching, while some praise the facilities and campus and student support.
TAFE Queensland
Visit course page → (opens in a new tab)
Campuses
10 campuses
Duration
Not stated by provider
Study mode
Varies by campus
Full fee
$26,475
Eligible students: subsidised from $16,425, concession $14,250
What students say
Many students rate the facilities and campus highly. Some found course content and organisation and admin frustrating, while opinions are mixed on the trainers and teaching.

Last reviewed 20 September 2026.

Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

Providers can set their own conditions, such as a minimum age or a current job in the industry, and practical training may need a workplace placement. Check each provider above.
Yes. To register and practise as an enrolled nurse in Australia you must complete a Diploma of Nursing program accredited by ANMAC and approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Check the provider's accreditation with AHPRA before you enrol.

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, it helps to have:

a genuine interest in caring for people
good communication skills
an ability to work calmly under supervision
respect for people from all backgrounds

What will you learn?

You learn to assess a patient's condition, plan and carry out their care, manage wounds, give medicines and intravenous therapy, and look after people with acute, chronic or mental health conditions. The course also covers working with people from different backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety, legal and ethical responsibilities, infection control and end of life care. To register and practise in Australia you need to complete a program accredited by ANMAC and approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, so check the provider's accreditation with AHPRA before you enrol.

Assessing a patient's health
Giving medicines and IV therapy
Wound care and infection control
Acute, chronic and aged care
Mental health and palliative care
Legal, ethical and cultural practice

Units of competency (20 core, 5 elective)

The qualification is made up of 25 units. Everyone completes the 20 core units below, and the remaining 5 are electives chosen from the list on training.gov.au, so they vary by provider. Select a unit to see what it covers.