v1
Skip to main content
Campus Closures: Great Lakes, Kempsey, Taree, Port Macquarie, Nambucca CLC, Wauchope campuses will be closed for classes from Wednesday 21 May 2025 until further notice. Updates are available here.
Our enrolment and student portal is undergoing an important upgrade and will be unavailable from 7:00am until 10:00pm Saturday, 8 Mar 2025.
TEST
    Overview

    About this international course

    The accredited Diploma of Nursing prepares you to provide expert nursing care across the health sector.

    You will learn anatomy and physiology, infection control and medication administration to work in a range of health care settings including acute, aged care, rehabilitation and mental health.

    TAFE NSW has developed this course in consultation with peak bodies and industry partners. Our extensive network gives you the opportunity to learn in diverse workplaces and to improve your technical and professional nursing skills.

    Your work placement and on-the-job training will give you diploma level nursing skills across a range of nursing disciplines.

    Numeracy Requirements:

    All international students will be required to undertake a Numeracy test prior to commencing the Diploma of Nursing. The purpose is to demonstrate sufficient numeracy skills. This is a requirement of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).

    To meet this requirement you will need to complete an assessment and achieve competency of at least Exit Level 3 in Numeracy.

    How will I do the test?

    As part of your application process, a TAFE NSW support officer will contact you to arrange to take the test. The test is online access to a computer and the internet is required.

    Outcomes

    What you'll gain

    Learn new skills

    Through theory and practical course work learn to: 

    • Care for a person with complex needs
    • Effectively communicate with patients and colleagues
    • Implement, monitor and evaluate nursing care plans
    • Tend and manage wounds in the clinical environment
    • Work within legal and ethical parameters

    Gain practical experience

    Build your practical skills in:

    • Responding to and solving problems
    • Carrying out clinical practice with a mannequin
    • Managing your time, productivity and patient care
    • Experiencing and adapting to the pressures of the workplace

    Develop your professional confidence

    Develop the attributes to get ahead in this industry:

    • Professionalism and integrity
    • Analytical and pragmatic problem solving approach
    • High energy and commitment
    • Advanced communication and interpersonal skills

    Global industry demand

    Nursing is the largest occupational group in the health sector representing almost 59% of the global health workforce.

    Globally, there are about 27.9 million nurses, and an estimated 6 million new nursing jobs will be created by the year 2030.

    To address the nursing workforce shortage by 2030 in all countries, the total number of nurse graduates would need to increase by 8% per year on average, alongside an improved capacity to employ and retain nursing graduates.

    A shortage of enrolled nurses in NSW has been identified by NAMO (Nursing and Midwifery Office) NSW Health, which has been working with TAFE NSW for more than five years to increase these numbers.

    The nursing workforce has a pivotal role in achieving national and global targets related to a range of health priorities, including universal health coverage, mental health and non-communicable diseases, emergency preparedness and response, patient safety, and the delivery of integrated, people-centred care, which will continue to drive employment in this occupation.

    Key trends in nursing that are shaping the healthcare industry in 2020 and beyond include:

    • Virtual Reality (VR) simulations to get ready for real-world hospital situations including how to assess a patient's symptoms
    • Telehealth and remote nursing
    • Nursing informatics to manage patient data
    • The evolving role of the nurse as an information integrator, health coach, and provider of human care supported by artificial intelligence technologies
    Suitability

    International entry requirements

    At TAFE NSW each course has entry requirements. These help us to make sure that your course choice is right for you and help determine your suitability for a course. We want you to be confident in your decision and successful in your studies.

    Fees and locations

    Starting dates, course fees and locations

    As an international student, you can choose from a range of different courses, offered at various locations. Experience vibrant spaces, libraries, cafes and gyms, as well as places to make friends and socialise with other students.

    Additional costs

    Additional costs for uniforms, equipment, textbooks and materials (if applicable) range from $300 - $1,000 AUD per course.

    Structure and units

    What you will study

    At the start of your course, you will receive your timetable. You will need to study all core units and a range of additional units.


    20 core units 5 elective units, consisting of: 3 units from the list below 2 units from the list below, elsewhere in the HLT Health Training Package, or any other current Training Package or accredited course. CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice HLTAAP002 Confirm physical health status
    HLTAAP003 Analyse and respond to client health information HLTENN035 Practise nursing within the Australian health care system HLTENN036 Apply communication skills in nursing practice HLTENN037 Perform clinical assessment and contribute to planning nursing care HLTENN038 Implement, monitor and evaluate nursing care HLTENN039 Apply principles of wound management HLTENN040 Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy HLTENN041 Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice HLTENN042 Implement and monitor care for a person with mental health conditions HLTENN043 Implement and monitor care for a person with acute health conditions HLTENN044 Implement and monitor care for a person with chronic health conditions HLTENN045 Implement and monitor care of the older person HLTENN047 Apply nursing practice in the primary health care setting HLTENN068 Provide end of life care and a palliative approach in nursing practice HLTINF001 Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care

    Core units are the required units that you must complete.

    Pathways

    Continue your studies

    At TAFE NSW, you can develop your skills or build your expertise by studying a single course. You can also continue your studies with one of the following pathway options:


    Vocational study pathway

    Enrol in a range of TAFE NSW courses designed to help you kick-start your career and education goals. You can apply for a Student Visa that will cover the duration of your study.


    TAFE NSW degree pathway

    From certificates to diplomas, to a TAFE NSW degree, continue your studies with us to help build your success. You can apply for a Student Visa that will cover the duration of your study.


    TAFE NSW - university partnership pathways

    TAFE NSW has partnerships with a number of Australian universities. These universities offer guaranteed entry and credit transfer to eligible students. How much credit you are eligible for varies depending on the course and university you choose. You can apply for a Student Visa that will cover the duration of your study.


    Other university pathways

    You may gain entry to another university using your TAFE NSW qualifications. Acceptance and the amount of credit transfer may vary depending on the university and course studies. Check your credit eligibility.


    Keep learning with TAFE NSW

    Build your expertise with a University Degree:

    • Students who successfully complete the TAFE NSW Diploma of Nursing may articulate with credit transfer into the undergraduate pre-registration nursing degree program at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
    • The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) gives TAFE NSW graduates guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Nursing with 48 credit points towards the Bachelor of Nursing (this is one year credit transfer of full time study).




    You are able to package two or more TAFE NSW courses together. This means you can plan your studies to achieve your career goals. When you apply for a TAFE NSW vocational pathway, you can apply for a Student Visa that will cover the duration of your study.


    Services

    Campus facilities and support services

    TAFE NSW offers you a range of on-campus study environments - industry specific computer rooms, simulated workplaces, study areas, presentation areas and general student facilities.

    In this course you will learn in a TAFE NSW simulated environment that reflects authentic working conditions by replicating industry environments, equipment and resources.

    We offer a range of support services including:

    • TAFE NSW Disability Support Service
    • TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service
    • Smarthinking - online access to a tutor
    • LinkedIn Learning - an online resource that offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills


    You will also have access to the following services to help you succeed:

    • Time with your teacher including additional contact through email, MS Teams calls, phone calls and allocated meeting times
    • Teacher or Education Support Officer assistance

    We're here to help

    If you have more questions about your course choice or study plans contact us today.

    Contact TAFE NSW International