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INTERNATIONAL

Diploma of Nursing

CRICOS Code: 111783G
 National Code: HLT54121


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2025 2026

Description

Gain the essential knowledge and skills required to provide caring, compassionate and effective nursing care as an Enrolled Nurse working under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. This course focuses on integrating theory with practice, giving you the skills to problem solve and work in a collaborative team environment across a range of health care settings.

Duration (incl. holidays)
Semester(s)
Teaching Duration
Example Career Profile
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92 weeks
3.5
70 weeks
Nurse (Enrolled)
Nurse (Enrolled)
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International Applications

Campus / Location
Study Mode
Contact Hours
Study Load
Commences
Scheduled
Adelaide City
On Campus On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
22 hours per week
Full Time Full Time
January, July
Day Only
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Gilles Plains
On Campus On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
22 hours per week
Full Time Full Time
January, July
Day Only
Apply Now

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On campus/location

On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.
Full Time

Full Time

Full Time classes
Day Classes

Day Classes

Day time classes
Evening Classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes

Course Admission Requirements
(for International Applications)

  • An academic IELTS score of 7.0 overall with minimum of 7.0 in all bands or equivalent as required by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia(NMBA). This test result must be less than 12 months old from the date of commencement of the Diploma of Nursing.
  • Ability to meet the physical demands of nursing work, particularly the requirements of manual handling.
  • Satisfactory completion of Year 12 or overseas equivalent .
  • All international students will be required to undertake a Maths test during the orientation and induction program at TAFE SA (prior to commencing their Diploma) to demonstrate sufficient numeracy (maths) skills. This is a requirement of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council.
  • Should the student fail this test, they will be required to undertake the TAFE SA Maths for Nursing short course. This Maths short course is taught online and concurrently during the 1st semester of the Diploma of Nursing. The cost of this unit is $A200.
  • International students who fail the Maths for Nursing short course will need to either defer their Diploma of Nursing enrolment until the successful completion of the short course (or an alternative maths unit) or cancel their Diploma of Nursing enrolment. Failure of successfully completing this maths short course (or any maths unit) will mean the student has not satisfied the numeracy requirement.

Work Placement Duration:   400 hours

Clinical placement for a total of 400 successful hours minimum will be required to complete the qualification. This will occur across a range of clinical setting including but not limited to: residential aged care, primary health and acute medical and surgical areas. International students will be required to complete a satisfactory criminal history screening and have an appropriate level of immunisation prior to commencing clinical placement. Required immunisations include annual influenza (flu), COVID-19, Hepatitis B, MMR (Measles/Mumps/Rubella), Diptheria/Tetanus/Pertussis, Varicella, Polio, and others as outlined in the Immunisation for Health Care Workers in South Australia Policy Directive 2017.

Course Notes

  • During classes and placement students will need to wear the TAFE SA T-shirt and adhere to uniform requirements, including non-slip waterproof enclosed shoes.
  • All international students will be required to undertake a Maths test during the orientation and induction program at TAFE SA (prior to commencing their Diploma) to demonstrate sufficient numeracy (maths) skills. This is a requirement of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council.
  • Should the student fail this test, they will be required to undertake the TAFE SA Maths for Nursing short course. This Maths short course is taught online and concurrently during the 1st semester of the Diploma of Nursing. The cost of this unit is approximately $A200.
  • International students who fail the Maths for Nursing short course will need to either defer their Diploma of Nursing enrolment until their successful completion of the short course (or an alternative maths unit) or cancel their Diploma of Nursing enrolment. Failure of successfully completing this maths short course (or any maths unit) will mean the student has not satisfied the numeracy requirement.
  • This qualification satisfies the academic requirements to be eligible to apply for registration through AHPRA. Graduates will also be required to complete other requirements of registration including evidence of English language skills and gaining a successful International Criminal History Check See http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Process/Criminal-history-checks/International-Criminal-History.aspx for further details.
    For more specific information regarding registration requirements, including English and numeracy requirements see: http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-and-Endorsement.aspx
  • University Packaged Programs, with the three South Australian universities are still in negotiation. It is hoped that they will be available later in 2023.

Fees

These course fees are for international students only.

Duration
Tuition Fees
Incidental Fees*
Semester 1
AUD $10242
AUD $1500*
Semester 2
AUD $10242
-
Semester 3
AUD $10242
-
Semester 4
AUD $5124
-
Fee Totals
AUD $35850
AUD $1500*
Total Course Cost
AUD $37350

* International students will be required to pay for their own screenings, checks, vaccinations, First Aid Certificate (including if it expires during your TAFE SA studies), site uniforms and shoes at approximately $A1000-$A1500. International students, who fail the maths test before commencement, will be required to pay for the 'Maths for Nursing' short course at the approximate cost of $A200. Additional mandatory course requirements with upfront fees: • TAFE SA Health Student T-shirt ($33): at least one must be purchased on commencement of the course. • manual Handling for Nurses training $154 • annual Manual Handling and CPR updates $100 Additional course-related expenses you may need to consider: • plain navy/dark blue or black full-length pants • enclosed, non-slip, waterproof shoes • textbooks: a list of recommended resources is provided for each unit/subject • travel, parking and accommodation expenses associated with placement

Note: TAFE SA course tuition and other fees/costs are subject to regular increases and are reviewed annually. TAFE SA accepts applications for courses commencing beyond the current year, course, tuition and other fees/costs for these years will apply once published. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to alter, amend or delete any fee, course, admission requirement, mode of delivery, duration or other arrangement without prior notice. If the study duration is extended beyond the period of the student’s visa the student will be liable for visa and related costs, eg medical examinations, OSHC and living expenses.

Overseas Students Health Cover

All overseas students are required to have Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) insurance for the entire duration of the course. The health cover rate will vary depending on the personal circumstances and duration of stay in Australia. Read more about Overseas Students Health Cover.

  • Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

    Employment Outcomes

    Career opportunities include working as an Enrolled Nurse. Enrolled Nurses work under the direction and supervision of registered nurses and are employed across a variety of health care contexts including hospital, community, residential, mental health, rehabilitation, rural and remote settings.

    To work as a nurse in Australia, you must be registered with the NMBA through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

    Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

    Qualifications & Skills Covered

    Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121)
    Knowledge and skills will be developed in areas including communication, cultural diversity, law and ethics, anatomy and physiology, research, nursing assessment and care of people with acute and chronic health conditions, including mental health, diabetes and palliative care; wound and medication management. To successfully complete the qualification you are required to complete all 20 core units and 5 elective units, and a minimum of 400 hours of clinical placement in a range of settings (this will be organised by TAFE SA).

    90%*
    of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.
    87%*
    of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.



    * 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

  • Course Units

    Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

    Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

    Core

    Name Nominal Hours
    Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy 275
    Analyse and respond to client health information 60
    Apply communication skills in nursing practice 50
    Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice 30
    Apply nursing practice in the primary health care setting 80
    Apply principles of wound management 60
    Confirm physical health status 90
    Follow safe work practices for direct client care 25
    Implement and monitor care for a person with acute health conditions 150
    Implement and monitor care for a person with chronic health conditions 60
    Implement and monitor care for a person with mental health conditions 60
    Implement and monitor care of the older person 75
    Implement, monitor and evaluate nursing care 110
    Perform clinical assessment and contribute to planning nursing care 50
    Practise nursing within the Australian health care system 75
    Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety 25
    Provide end of life care and a palliative approach in nursing practice 70
    Reflect on and improve own professional practice 120
    Work with diverse people 40

    Elective

    Name Nominal Hours
    Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control 35
    Contribute to nursing care of a person with diabetes 80
    Interpret and use information about nutrition and diet 50
    Manage personal stressors in the work environment 25
    Provide First Aid 18
    Research and apply evidence to practice 65

  • University Packaged Programs

    If your goal is to achieve a bachelor degree in your chosen field of study, TAFE SA offers two different types of pathway to university - a University Packaged Program or Credit Transfer.


    A University Packaged Program allows you to select the course and the university you wish to study at, before commencing your studies at TAFE SA.


    This course is available as a University Packaged Program. This allows students to accept a joint packaged offer with a local South Australian University, and upon successful completion of TAFE SA qualification, the student is eligible for a guaranteed entry into a nominated University Program. Find out more about University Packaged Programs.


    The table below shows current packages available for this course.


    Institution Course Indicative Package Cost
    Bachelor of Nursing AUD$146,410

  • Credit Transfer

    Studying at TAFE SA is one of the easiest pathways towards a University Degree. Credit Transfer is the formal recognition that parts of a TAFE SA course are equivalent in content and level to parts of some University courses. Below are the Credit Transfer details for this course. View all TAFE SA Credit Transfer Agreements

    University University Course Details
    Bachelor of Nursing (Pre-Registration)
    Bachelor of Nursing

  • Living in Adelaide

    The city created for students

    You will never find another city like Adelaide. With welcoming locals, it is the perfect place for you to study, live and enjoy.

    Affordable living
    A student city

    A student city

    Adelaide is home to over 30,000 international students and has a strong and growing reputation as an education city. In addition to TAFE SA, Adelaide is home to six world-leading universities: The University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, Flinders University, Carnegie Mellon University, Torrens University Australia and CQ University Australia.

    Safe

    Adelaide’s crime rates are the lowest in the country and for that reason, Adelaide has previously been named the safest city in Australia.

    Safe
    Beach Culture

    Beach Culture

    Adelaide’s pristine sandy beaches are just a 20 minute tram ride from the city centre. On hot summer days, you can study in the day and take the tram to have dinner at the beach and watch the sunset with friends.

    Live centrally

    Accommodation is more affordable in Adelaide than in other cities in Australia making it often possible for students to live in the heart of the city or just outside. This means more time is spent studying and less time travelling.

    Live centrally
    Delicious!

    Delicious!

    Adelaide is known for its cafe culture, with more cafes and restaurants by population than any other city in Australia. In recent years, Adelaide has also developed a vibrant and varied bar scene. The city is big enough that you will struggle to visit all of the places you would like to drink and eat in during in your first year of study. Our mix of cultures means there’s likely to be a supermarket that sells food from your home country too.

    Easy to get around

    Adelaide is a flat city so it is ideal for walking or cycling. Its grid layout makes it almost impossible to get lost! There are free trams and buses around the city centre. International students can show their ID to get cheaper tickets.

    Easy to get around
    Festivals

    Festivals

    Adelaide is known for its festivals, which are famous around the world. WOMADelaide, the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Fringe Festival and Cabaret Festival are just some of the international arts and music festivals that keep the city buzzing

    Everyone agrees – Adelaide is a great place to live and study

    Adelaide is recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities. In 2014, Lonely Planet’s Best of Travel book ranked Adelaide in the global top ten. For the last four years Adelaide has been ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

    Everyone agrees – Adelaide is a great place to live and study
    Beautiful weather

    Beautiful weather

    Adelaide has four distinct seasons, with moderate winters and warm to hot summers. In winter you will need woolly jumpers and jackets and in summer, shorts and t-shirts. The heat in South Australia is dry, rather than humid.

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Further Information

Contact us

Course enquiries and more information

TAFE South Australia International

Level 1, 120 Currie Street
Adelaide, South Australia, 5000

Enquire online