Diploma of Nursing TAFE: Become an Enrolled Nurse in Australia

Want to study nursing in Australia while saving time and money? 

A TAFE nursing course can help you become an Enrolled Nurse (EN) while also helping you:

• Save on tuition fees 

• Start working earlier and get your PR pathway moving

• Gain a qualification to study a Bachelor’s in Nursing

Think of it as your shortcut to living those Grey’s Anatomy moments (minus the drama... hopefully).

If you’re ready to save time, money, and get into that nursing career, this guide will spill all the tea on the Diploma of Nursing TAFE course.

P.S. As you read through, you’ll also know about exclusive perks to make studying nursing easier for you!

Key Facts

• Course Duration: 18 to 24 months (full-time)

• Delivery Mode: on-campus, with a mix of classroom learning, simulation labs, and clinical placements in real healthcare settings  

• Fees: AUD 25,000 to 35,000 for the full program

Who is this for?

This course is for international students who want to start a healthcare career and become a qualified Enrolled Nurse (EN) in Australia. 

What will you study?

• Anatomy and physiology

• Infection control and safety

• Medication administration

• Mental health and aged care nursing

• Legal and ethical responsibilities

• How to care for patients of all ages

You’ll also complete at least 400 hours of clinical placement, where you’ll work under supervision in real healthcare environments.

What is the outcome?

After graduating, you can apply for registration as an Enrolled Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) via AHPRA. This opens the door to many nursing jobs and can also be a stepping stone to becoming a Registered Nurse later on.

Can international students do a Diploma of Nursing in Australia?

Yes! International students can enrol in a Diploma of Nursing through CRICOS-registered education providers like TAFEs and private colleges.

How long is a Diploma in Nursing of Australia?

The course usually takes 18 to 24 months to complete, depending on the provider. It includes both classroom learning and clinical placements, so you can get hands-on experience before graduating.

Some nursing programs may only be available to domestic students.

Some might not have CRICOS registration for international enrolment.

That’s where IDP can help.

We partner with leading universities and TAFE institutions across Australia, so we can check which courses are open to international students right now. 

Want to find a school accepting international students near you? Or maybe you’re looking for one with affordable tuition. Or one that’s known best for supporting international students.

Whatever your preference and goals, we can help you find the best match.

Talk to an IDP counsellor for free to verify any information you need.

Find the right course for you

If you are an international student, you will usually pay international student fees. 

These can cost around AUD 25,000 to AUD 35,000 per year, depending on the school. 

These are some sample full tuition fees per institution:

• TAFE QLD - $29,100

• TAS TAFE - $ 22,445.00

• UOW - $34,992

• CQ University - $26,550

• RMIT University - $36,500.00

If you are on your partner’s visa, you might not need to pay full international fees.

Some TAFEs or states will let you pay the lower local (domestic) fees if:

• Your partner has a permanent visa

• Your partner has a Skilled Work visa (like the 491 or 494)

• You hold a humanitarian visa

Not sure which fees apply to you?

If all of this feels confusing, you're not alone. 

Many international students aren’t sure what fees they should be paying, or if they might be eligible for discounted rates. That’s why IDP is here. 

We don’t just help you check your visa details. We help you understand what they mean for your budget and your education. 

If there’s a chance you could pay lower fees or apply for scholarships, we’ll help you find it. 

Got any questions? Don’t hesitate to talk to our IDP counsellor for free.

I want to enquire about my tuition fees

1. English Language Proficiency

There are two ways to meet this:

1. Primary Language Pathway

If English is your first language, and you studied for at least 6 years in English, including 2 years between grades 7 and 12, in a recognised English-speaking country (like Australia, UK, Canada, USA), you’re eligible.

2. English Language Tests

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to take an approved test within the last 2 years. Minimum scores include:

• IELTS Academic: Overall 7.0 (7 in L/R/S, 6.5 in W)

Need to prepare for IELTS? Explore our FREE practice tests. It has everything you need to prepare and perform your best on your test day. 

Ready to book your IELTS? Find a test centre near you. 

2. Literacy and Numeracy Skills

• You must take a language and math test before enrolling. You’ll need to reach Exit Level 3 (Working at Level 4) on this test. This is a national standard used by TAFE QLD, TAFE NSW, CQU, and Box Hill.

3. Minimum Age Requirement

• You must be at least 18 years old by the time you begin your first Professional Experience Placement (PEP).

4. Academic Requirements

• Must have completed Year 12 (HSC or equivalent)

OR

• Hold a Certificate III or higher qualification

5. Other Requirements 

Depending on the institution, there may be additional entry requirements like:

• An interview (Box Hill)

• A self-assessment tool (like TAFE NSW)  

• A clear Working with Children Check

• A clear National Police Check

• Be physically able to do nursing tasks (e.g., lifting patients, standing long hours, PPE use)

Your exact entry requirements depend on your institution and personal situation.

For example, some schools accept Year 12 or Certificate III from Australia. 

But if you finished school in another country, you might need to show more documents. 

You might also have to take a test like the BKSB to check your reading and math skills.

If all this feels a bit overwhelming, IDP can help. We look at your background. Then we explain what you need. We can also help you find the right school, so you don’t waste time applying to the wrong one.

I want to know my entry requirements

All students—regardless of whether they enrol in a TAFE or a university—study a set of core nursing subjects that are required nationwide. 

These units are set by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC), so you’ll find many subjects in common across institutions.

Here are the core units you’ll most likely study in a TAFE nursing course:

Core Subjects in a Diploma of Nursing (Australia)

• Work with diverse people
  Learn how to support patients from different cultures, backgrounds, and identities.

• Promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
  Understand the health needs and history of First Nations peoples, and how to offer respectful care.

• Reflect on and improve your own professional practice
  Develop critical thinking and self-reflection skills to grow as a healthcare worker.

• Confirming physical health status
  Learn how to take basic vital signs and assess a patient’s physical health.

• Analyse and respond to client health information
  Understand patient charts, records, and clinical data to make better care decisions.

• Practice nursing in the Australian healthcare system
  Get familiar with how hospitals and healthcare settings work in Australia.

• Apply communication skills in nursing practice
  Learn how to communicate clearly and professionally with patients and healthcare teams.

• Perform clinical assessments and contribute to nursing care plans
  Do head-to-toe patient checks and help plan their care.

• Implement, monitor, and evaluate nursing care
  Put care plans into action and update them based on patient needs.

• Administer and monitor medicines and IV therapy
  Give medications and fluids safely, under supervision.

• Apply principles of wound management

Learn how to clean, dress, and manage wounds properly.

• Apply legal and ethical principles in nursing
  Understand your responsibilities as a nurse under Australian law.

• Support people with mental health conditions
  Provide basic care for patients experiencing anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues.

• Support people with acute health conditions
  Help patients during sudden or short-term health problems like injuries or infections.

• Support people with chronic health conditions
  Care for those with long-term conditions like diabetes or arthritis.

• Care for older people
  Learn to meet the unique needs of elderly patients, including in aged care settings.

• Practice nursing in primary healthcare settings
  Gain experience in clinics, GP offices, and community health environments.

• Provide end-of-life and palliative care
  Support people and their families during the final stages of life.

• Prevent and control infection
  Learn infection safety procedures like hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Follow safe work practices for direct client care
  Stay safe while lifting, moving, and assisting patients physically.

After finishing your Diploma of Nursing, you can become an Enrolled Nurse (EN) in Australia.

You might work in:

• Hospitals – helping in emergency rooms, wards, or surgery recovery

• Aged care homes – looking after older people and giving them comfort and care

• Rehab centres – helping people recover from injury or illness

• Clinics and GP offices – assisting with check-ups and treatments

As an Enrolled Nurse, your starting salary can range between AUD $60,000 to $75,000 a year.

If you’re aiming for permanent residency (PR) in Australia, studying nursing is one of the smartest pathways, and starting with a Diploma of Nursing can give you a head start.

Here’s why:

It’s shorter than a full Bachelor’s degree, which means you can start working sooner as an Enrolled Nurse (EN) and gain valuable local experience. That’s a huge advantage when it comes to building your PR points, especially while you're still in the preferred age range for skilled migration.

Here are some of your possible PR opportunities:

Pathway 1: Enrolled Nurse (EN – ANZSCO 411411)

• EN is on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)

• May be eligible for:

  • Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa

  • Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional Visa

• Local work experience as an EN can strengthen your state nomination application

Pathway 2: Upgrade to Registered Nurse (RN – ANZSCO 254415)

• Study a Bachelor of Nursing after your diploma (may take less time)

• RN is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

• Opens eligibility for:

  • Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa

  • Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa

  • Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional Visa

• RNs are in high demand across Australia

Not sure how to plan all this? IDP can help map out your PR strategy based on your current visa, your age, and your long-term goals.

Ask an IDP MARA agent about your PR opportunities 

If you made it this far, it means you’re really interested in studying the Diploma of Nursing. 

If that’s the case, why are you still hesitating?

It doesn’t have to be scary. Your first step can be as simple as knowing which schools are open for international students, and that’s something IDP can help you with right now for free.

It’s a big decision, and we are here to talk you through any worries or questions you may have in mind.

I want to know if a Diploma of Nursing is right for me

Your only task? Live your best student life. Ours? Everything else.

Whether you’re still exploring your options or already eyeing a course, we can help you:

• Find nursing schools that match your goals, location, and budget

• Understand what entry requirements apply to you, not just in general

• Book and prepare for your IELTS, with free practice tools and support

• Apply on time, with all the right documents

• Start planning your PR options early, based on your course and career goals

We do this every day for thousands of international students.

You? 

You can keep binge-watching your favourite Netflix show (no judgement if it’s Ginny and Georgia again). 

Or go ahead and plan that very necessary trip to the Sydney Opera House, where you’ll take 37 selfies, post one, and caption it “study break.”

Whatever it is, live your best student life. We’ll handle the boring bits like paperwork, entry requirements, and course applications.

Sources: TAFE QLD, UOW College, TAFE NSW, CQ University, Box Hill Institute, RMIT