Diploma of Nursing to Bachelor of Nursing: Upgrade Pathways in Australia

If you have a Diploma of Nursing, you can take your nursing career further. You may be able to move into a Bachelor of Nursing and work towards becoming a Registered Nurse (RN).

This guide explains your upgrade pathways, what you need to apply and how to compare your study options in Australia.

Yes. If you've completed a Diploma of Nursing, you may be able to apply for a Bachelor of Nursing through an Enrolled Nurse (EN) pathway or another university entry pathway.

The exact pathway depends on your qualification, Enrolled Nurse registration, university and course requirements.

Quick pathway visual:

Diploma of Nursing
↓
Become an Enrolled Nurse
↓
Apply for a Bachelor of Nursing
↓
Complete your Bachelor degree
↓
Apply for Registered Nurse registration

A Diploma of Nursing can prepare you to work as an Enrolled Nurse (EN). Moving into a Bachelor of Nursing can help you work towards becoming a Registered Nurse (RN).

As an RN, you can have:

• A broader scope of nursing practice

• More responsibility for patient care

• More options to specialise in areas like mental health, aged care or critical care

• More opportunities to move into senior nursing roles

• More postgraduate study options

• A wider range of nursing career opportunities

If you want to grow your nursing career, moving from EN to RN can open up more options for where you work and where your career takes you.

To upgrade from an Enrolled Nurse (EN) to a Registered Nurse (RN), you usually need to complete a Bachelor of Nursing. Your pathway will depend on your Diploma of Nursing, EN registration and the university you choose.

Step 1: Complete your Diploma of Nursing

Start by completing a Diploma of Nursing. This qualification prepares you to meet the education requirements to become an Enrolled Nurse.

Step 2: Meet the requirements to become an Enrolled Nurse

After your Diploma, you need to meet the registration requirements set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Nurse registrations are managed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Some Bachelor of Nursing pathways require you to already hold current AHPRA registration as an Enrolled Nurse.

Step 3: Find a Bachelor of Nursing pathway for Enrolled Nurses

Look for universities that offer a pathway from Enrolled Nurse to Registered Nurse. Some Bachelor of Nursing courses have entry options for students who already have a Diploma of Nursing or EN registration.

Each university has its own pathway and requirements. Compare your options before you apply.

Step 4: Check the entry requirements

Depending on the university, you may need:

• A completed Diploma of Nursing

• Current AHPRA registration as an Enrolled Nurse

• The required English language level

• The required academic results

• Recent nursing study or experience

• Other documents required by the university

Step 5: Apply for your Bachelor of Nursing

Once you find a pathway that matches your background, check the intake and application dates. Some nursing courses have limited places, so it is worth planning your application early.

Explore your nursing pathways with IDP

Your Diploma and EN registration may provide you with access to pathways you did not know existed. An IDP counsellor can help you compare university requirements and find Bachelor of Nursing programs that align with your background.

Entry requirements vary by university. Having a Diploma of Nursing does not mean you can enter every Bachelor of Nursing course through the same pathway.

Depending on the university, you may need:

• A completed Diploma of Nursing

• Current AHPRA registration as an Enrolled Nurse

• The required academic results

• The required English language level

• Recent nursing study or experience

• Other university-specific requirements

Your Diploma may open different pathways at different universities

This is where it pays to compare your options.

For example, UTS has an accelerated Bachelor of Nursing pathway for Enrolled Nurses. You need a completed Diploma of Nursing and current AHPRA registration as an Enrolled Nurse. Eligible students can complete the Bachelor of Nursing in two years full-time instead of three.

Charles Sturt University also lists a completed nursing qualification and AHPRA registration as one of its Bachelor of Nursing entry routes. It also accepts several other types of previous study when assessing applicants.

The key point? Your Diploma may qualify you for a different pathway depending on where you apply.

Not sure what your Diploma qualifies you for?

You don't have to compare every university requirement on your own. IDP can help you find nursing pathways across our partner universities and match your qualifications with the options available to you.

There is no single study time for moving from Enrolled Nurse (EN) to Registered Nurse (RN). It depends on the Bachelor of Nursing pathway offered by your university.

For example, UTS allows eligible Enrolled Nurses to complete its Bachelor of Nursing in two years full-time, instead of the standard three years. To enter this pathway, you need a completed Diploma of Nursing and current AHPRA registration as an Enrolled Nurse.

Other universities may have different study times and entry rules. Some may recognise your previous nursing study when you enter the Bachelor.

Tip: Don't assume every EN-to-RN pathway takes the same amount of time. Compare the pathway at each university to see how much study you will need to complete.

Not every Diploma to Bachelor of Nursing pathway works the same way. Compare more than just the university name to find the option that works best for you.

Good to know: The pathway that looks shortest may not always be the best fit. Entry rules, intake dates, course structure and where you need to study can all affect your nursing journey.

After completing your Bachelor of Nursing, your next step is to work towards registration as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Your pathway will usually look like this:

• Complete your Bachelor of Nursing

• Meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) registration standards

• Apply for registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

• Once registered, you can practise as a Registered Nurse in Australia

• Later, you may choose postgraduate nursing study to specialise or grow your career

Postgraduate nursing courses can help you build skills in areas such as mental health, critical care, aged care, cancer nursing or nursing leadership. The course you can take will depend on your qualifications, registration and experience.

The right EN to RN pathway depends on more than how quickly you can finish your degree. You also want a course that fits your qualifications, budget and future nursing goals.

Compare:

• Entry requirements: Do your Diploma and EN registration meet the requirements?

• Total study time: How long will it take you to complete the Bachelor?

• Course fees: What will your remaining studies cost?

• Clinical placements: Where will you train and what placement requirements apply?

• Campus and location: Is the course offered where you want to study?

• Intake dates: When can you start?

• Scholarships: What financial support could you qualify for?

• Graduate opportunities: Does the course support the nursing career or further study you want?

The shortest pathway isn't always the best fit

A shorter pathway can look like the obvious choice. But the campus may not work for you, the next intake may be months away, or you may not meet that university's entry rules.

You may also qualify for pathways or scholarships you didn't know about. IDP counsellors know the nursing programs offered by our partner universities. We can help you compare what you qualify for and find a pathway that fits your study, budget and career plans.

Already have a Diploma of Nursing? IDP can help you plan your next step towards becoming a Registered Nurse.

We can help you:

• Find Bachelor of Nursing pathways for Enrolled Nurses

• Check which universities match your qualifications

• Compare course length, fees and intake dates

• Find scholarships you may qualify for

• Apply to your chosen university

• Understand your Student visa requirements

• Plan your study and career pathway in Australia

You may have more nursing options than you realise. Our counsellors can help you understand what you qualify for and find a pathway that fits your plans.

Can I go from a Diploma of Nursing to a Bachelor of Nursing?

Yes. After completing a Diploma of Nursing, you may be able to continue into a Bachelor of Nursing through an EN-to-RN pathway. Entry requirements vary by university.

How do I upgrade from an Enrolled Nurse to a Registered Nurse?

You usually need to complete an approved Bachelor of Nursing and then meet the registration requirements for a Registered Nurse. Some universities offer Bachelor pathways designed for Enrolled Nurses.

Do I need to be an Enrolled Nurse before starting a Bachelor of Nursing?

No. You can apply directly for a Bachelor of Nursing if you meet the university's entry requirements. However, some EN-to-RN pathways require a Diploma of Nursing and current AHPRA registration as an Enrolled Nurse.

How long does it take to go from EN to RN in Australia?

It depends on the university and pathway. For example, eligible Enrolled Nurses at UTS can complete its Bachelor of Nursing accelerated program in two years full-time.

Can international students upgrade from a Diploma to a Bachelor of Nursing?

Yes, international students may be able to progress from a Diploma of Nursing to a Bachelor of Nursing. You will need to meet the university's entry requirements and any Student visa requirements that apply to you.

What are the entry requirements for an EN to RN pathway?

Requirements vary by university. You may need a completed Diploma of Nursing, current AHPRA registration as an Enrolled Nurse, the required English level and other university-specific requirements.

Can I work as an Enrolled Nurse while studying a Bachelor of Nursing?

You may be able to work as an Enrolled Nurse if you hold current registration and have the right to work in Australia. International students must also follow the work conditions attached to their visa.

Can becoming a Registered Nurse lead to PR in Australia?

Becoming a Registered Nurse may open skilled migration pathways, but it does not guarantee permanent residency (PR). Your eligibility will depend on the visa pathway, occupation requirements and migration rules that apply when you apply.