Find out what you need to study a Bachelor of Nursing in Australia, from IELTS and academic requirements to pathway options for international students.
Thinking about becoming a Registered Nurse in Australia?
Your first step is meeting the entry requirements for a Bachelor of Nursing.
While every university has its own admission criteria, most require similar academic qualifications, English language proficiency and clinical placement requirements.
This guide walks you through what international students typically need before applying.
To apply for a Bachelor of Nursing, most Australian universities require international students to complete an Australian Year 12 qualification or an equivalent overseas qualification, meet the required academic entry score, demonstrate English language proficiency, and satisfy any prerequisite subjects.
Requirement | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
Academic qualification | Australian Year 12 or recognised overseas equivalent |
Academic results | Meet your university's required entry score |
English language | Previous study in English or an approved English language test |
Prerequisite subjects | May include English, Mathematics or Science (varies by university) |
Clinical placement requirements | Police checks, vaccinations and other compliance requirements |
Student visa | Required for international students |
Most Australian universities ask you to:
Complete Year 12 or a recognised overseas equivalent.
Meet the course's minimum entry score. Every university sets its own entry score.
Show that your qualification is recognised in Australia.
Provide details of any previous study, if you have any.
Good to know: Meeting the minimum academic entry requirements makes you eligible to apply, but it doesn't always guarantee you'll receive an offer.
Some Bachelor of Nursing courses are competitive, and universities may rank eligible applicants based on their academic results and the number of places available.
Most Australian universities require you to prove your English language skills before you can study nursing.
IELTS Academic is one of the most widely accepted English tests for Bachelor of Nursing courses.
Some universities also accept IELTS One Skill Retake, which lets you retake just one section if you miss your required score.
IELTS requirement | Typical requirement |
Test | IELTS Academic |
Overall score | Varies by university |
Minimum band score | Varies by university |
IELTS One Skill Retake | Accepted by some universities |
Some universities also accept other English tests, such as PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and OET.
It depends on the university. Some Bachelor of Nursing courses ask you to complete certain subjects in secondary school before you apply.
Common prerequisite subjects include:
English
Mathematics
Biology
Chemistry
The required subjects vary between universities. Always check the entry requirements for your chosen course.
Don't have the right subjects? You may still have options. Some universities offer foundation programs or other pathway courses that can help you qualify. An IDP counsellor can help you find the right pathway for you. Book a consultation.
Getting into your course is just the first step. Before your first clinical placement, you'll usually need to provide:
A police or criminal history check
Vaccination records
A health check
A Working with Children Check, if required
Your university will tell you exactly what you need before your placement begins.
If you want to become a Registered Nurse in Australia, you'll hear about these three organisations.
ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council) accredits nursing courses.
NMBA (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia) approves nursing courses and sets the standards for nurses.
AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) registers nurses so they can practise in Australia.
When choosing a Bachelor of Nursing, make sure it's ANMAC-accredited and NMBA-approved. After you graduate, you'll apply for registration with AHPRA before you can work as a Registered Nurse.
Know more: AHPRA Registration Guide
Yes, some Australian universities offer credit transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for eligible Enrolled Nurses (ENs). This may allow you to complete your Bachelor of Nursing in a shorter timeframe.
You may be eligible if you:
Have completed a Diploma of Nursing
Hold current AHPRA registration as an Enrolled Nurse
The amount of credit you receive depends on the university and your previous qualifications and experience.
Some universities may grant advanced standing for selected subjects, while others assess applications on a case-by-case basis.
Know more: Enrolled Nurse vs Registered Nurse: What's the Difference?
Not meeting the direct entry requirements doesn't always mean you can't study nursing in Australia. Depending on your qualifications, there may be other pathways that can help you become eligible.
These may include:
Foundation studies
English language courses
Diploma pathways
Packaged offers that combine an English or pathway course with your nursing degree
The right pathway depends on your qualifications and your chosen university. An IDP counsellor can help you compare your options.
Before you apply, make sure you:
✓ Check that you meet the academic entry requirements.
✓ Meet the English language requirements.
✓ Check the prerequisite subjects.
✓ Prepare your academic documents.
✓ Understand the clinical placement requirements.
✓ Compare universities and choose the right course for you.
Taking the time to prepare your application can help make the admissions process smoother and improve your confidence when applying.
Every university has different entry requirements. We'll help you find a nursing course that's right for you.
An IDP counsellor can help you:
Compare nursing courses across Australian universities.
Check if you meet the entry requirements.
Find a pathway if you don't qualify yet.
Prepare your application and required documents.
Apply to your chosen university.
Support your Student visa application.
Whether you're starting after secondary school or moving from an Enrolled Nurse qualification, we're here to help every step of the way.
Book a counselling session with an IDP counsellor. We'll help you compare your options, choose the right course and plan your next steps.
While requirements vary between universities, most require you to have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification or a recognised overseas equivalent, meet the required academic entry score, demonstrate English language proficiency, and satisfy any prerequisite subjects. You'll also need to meet additional requirements before starting clinical placements.
The required IELTS score depends on the university. Many Australian universities require a higher level of English for nursing than for other undergraduate degrees because nursing graduates must also meet professional registration standards. Always check the English language requirements for your chosen university.
Yes, at some universities. While many Bachelor of Nursing courses require Biology or another science subject, the prerequisite subjects vary between universities. If you haven't studied Biology, you may still find universities that don't require it or explore pathway programs.
Some universities require Mathematics as a prerequisite, while others do not. Check the entry requirements for your chosen course, as subject requirements differ between universities.
Possibly. Some universities accept other approved English language tests, such as PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT or OET. Others may accept previous study completed in English if you meet their eligibility requirements.
You may still have other options. Depending on your qualifications, you could be eligible for a foundation program, English language course, diploma pathway or packaged offer before progressing to a Bachelor of Nursing.
Yes. After completing an ANMAC-accredited and NMBA-approved Bachelor of Nursing, you can apply for registration with AHPRA, provided you meet all registration requirements.
No. AHPRA registration is not required to enrol in a Bachelor of Nursing. You'll apply for registration after completing your degree and meeting the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's registration requirements.
Yes, some universities offer credit transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for eligible Enrolled Nurses who have completed a Diploma of Nursing and hold current AHPRA registration. The amount of credit awarded varies between universities.
Many Australian universities offer a Bachelor of Nursing, including institutions such as the University of Melbourne, Monash University, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Deakin University, Griffith University, Curtin University and many others. An IDP counsellor can help you compare universities and find the course that's the best fit for your goals and qualifications.
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