HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing
Begin your career in nursing. With the Diploma of Nursing you will gain hands-on learning experience in our nursing labs as well as clinical experience through placements in residential aged care, acute, mental health and community settings.
Course essentials
Qualification Code
Entry requirements
Duration
Locations
Course overview
This course provides a pathway to rewarding career options within the healthcare industry, launching a career in an industry where you’ll make a positive contribution to the people you care for, and the wider community.
This qualification reflects the role of an Enrolled Nurse (EN) working under the direct or indirect supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN).
Enrolled Nurses provide nursing care for people across the health care continuum and at all stages of life.
The course is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC). This qualification may contribute to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's (NMBA) registration requirements to practice and register with AHPRA as an Enrolled Nurse.
The scope of practice for enrolled nurses is determined by legislative requirements and the policies and procedures of the employing organisation.
IT requirements
To do this course you’ll need a fast and reliable computer and access to high-speed internet. Expect to use about 5GB of data per month for every unit you’re doing. Find out more about the minimum IT requirements for studying with us.
Got questions?
Call us on 1800 333 864, start a live chat or submit an enquiry.
Student support
The support we offer is second to none. Need academic help? No problem. Extra access or financial assistance? Let’s see what we can do. View our student services.
The fine print
The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.
Everything in this course overview is correct at the time of being published. However, the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Please check for changes before you apply or enrol.
Federation University uses Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding (for eligible students) to deliver training.
School department
Federation TAFE
Career paths
Enrolled Nurse in a variety of settings, including:
- acute care
- rehabilitation
- mental health
- aged care
- palliative care
- community care
- operating theatres
- general practice
- home nursing
- surgical care
- pathology
- paediatric care
- maternity.
Professional recognition
Australian Health Practitioner Registration Authority (AHPRA)
On successful completion of this qualification you will be eligible for registration with Australian Health Professional Registration Authority (AHPRA) as an Enrolled Nurse. Please note eligibility requirements for registration as an Enrolled Nurse in Australia are determined by (AHPRA).
Please note: Currently, AHPRA requires that all applicants must be able to demonstrate English language skills at IELTS academic level of 7.0 in all categories on the same day of testing, to be eligible for registration. Please refer to AHPRA website for full details - www.ahpra.gov.au
Fees and scholarships
Tuition fee information
2026 indicative fees
The fees you pay will depend on your eligibility for a Victorian Government subsidised place under the Skills First Program. The indicative fees displayed below are estimates for the total course and may change depending on individual circumstances at enrolment.
Fees are subject to change annually.
| Concession Government Subsidised Place | Standard Government Subsidised Place | Full Fee Place (Not eligible for government subsidy) |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | $19,360 | $37,040 |
Fee assistance
If you’re eligible for a VET Student Loan, you can defer the payment of all or part of your tuition fee up to a maximum of $19,290. You won’t have to start paying the loan back until your income reaches the compulsory repayment threshold.
Material fees
This covers things like tools, stationery, uniforms, textbooks, excursions and so on. Expect the cost to be around $442.
Other study costs
Students will be required to purchase:
- Textbooks.
- Access to a computer/laptop with internet and office suite software is required.
- Scrub pants, work shoes.
- Material fees: Federation TAFE polo/scrub top uniform. Name badge, Simulation consumables fee.
Other important information
If you need help managing your fee payments, you might be eligible for a direct debit payment plan. Students doing certificate-level TAFE courses can access payment plans for both tuition and materials fees. Diploma and advanced diploma students can access payment plans for materials fees only.
If you’re accessing government-subsidised training under the Skills First Program, doing this course might affect your ability to access future government-subsidised training.
If you’re eligible to enrol in a course under the Victorian Government Free TAFE initiative, the tuition would be free but you’d still have to pay the materials fee (if applicable).
Find out more about fees, payments and refunds.
Scholarships
There’s a range of scholarships and grants available. Find out what you can apply for.
Course details
Start dates
Semester 2, 2026
Locations
Mt Helen (on campus)
Information
- Our Mt Helen, SMB, Camp St and Gillies St campuses are located in Ballarat.
Contact hours
This course is delivered on campus 3 days/week, 6 hours per day, 64 weeks face-to-face learning. There is no online option.
Activities / time commitment outside of class (e.g. 3 hrs per week directed study, online forums etc.) Additional study time is required to complete assessments, reading, and activities. We recommend that approximately 10 hours per week should be put aside for these activities.
Work integrated learning
440 hours (11 weeks) These placements take place in a variety of settings, predominantly in regional and rural centres. Placements are scheduled in accordance with the health care industry and include public holidays, weekends and both early and late shifts. Due to placement availability, placements may need to be scheduled during school term breaks. Whilst 400 hours is required for registration as an enrolled nurse, we schedule 440 hours to provide students with experience in a broad range of settings. This better prepares you for the workforce upon graduation.
Sample course structure
This is a list of units available in this course. Which units you enrol in will depend on the course and stream available.
- Work with diverse peopleCHCDIV001
- Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safetyCHCDIV002
- Reflect on and improve own professional practiceCHCPRP003
- Confirm physical health statusHLTAAP002
- Analyse and respond to client health informationHLTAAP003
- Practise nursing within the Australian health care systemHLTENN035
- Apply communication skills in nursing practiceHLTENN036
- Perform clinical assessment and contribute to planning nursing careHLTENN037
- Implement, monitor and evaluate nursing careHLTENN038
- Apply principles of wound managementHLTENN039
- Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapyHLTENN040
- Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practiceHLTENN041
- Implement and monitor care for a person with mental health conditionsHLTENN042
- Implement and monitor care for a person with acute health conditionsHLTENN043
- Implement and monitor care for a person with chronic health conditionsHLTENN044
- Implement and monitor care of the older personHLTENN045
- Apply nursing practice in the primary health care settingHLTENN047
- Provide end of life care and a palliative approach in nursing practiceHLTENN068
- Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and controlHLTINF006
- Follow safe work practices for direct client careHLTWHS002
- Develop personal work prioritiesBSBPEF402
- Research and apply evidence to practiceCHCPOL003
- Provide First AidHLTAID011
- Contribute to the nursing care of a person with diabetesHLTENN057
- Manage personal stressors in the work environmentHLTWHS006
Entry requirements
Undertake a VETASSESS and achieve the following results:
- Pre - training review
- Undertake a VETASSESS review;
- Literacy – Level 3 or above
- Numeracy – Level 3 or above
- English Writing Skills – Level 3 or above
- Digital level - Advanced
- Meet the NMBA English Language Requirements
Prior to going on placement you will be required to complete:
- Police Check
- Working with Childrens Check
- Statutory Declaration
- Mandatory COVID-19 and Fluvax immunisations
- Additional Immunisations required – Diphtheria, tetanus, Pertussis, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Measles, mumps, rubella and Tuberculosis test.
- A valid NDIS Worker Screening Check, cost to student $131.60 (current as of 12/09/2024) valid for 5 years.
How you apply will depend on your current situation. Visit our how to apply page for options and instructions.
After you submit your application, we’ll get you to do an online literacy and numeracy review to help us understand where you’re at (and if the course you’re applying for is a good fit). We’ll give you feedback and offer you support if needed.
For information about students’ rights and responsibilities, please refer to the VET Information Guide.
- VTAC application
- Yes
- VTAC code
- 3700510524 - Mt Helen (on campus)
- Direct application
- Yes
- Federation University code
- LBQ
- National course code
- HLT54121
Pathways to this course:
Candidates seeking alternate entry to this course can consider the below options:
HLT23221 - Certificate II in Health Support Services
CHC33021 - Certificate III in Individual Support (Release 4) – potential for a credit for 3 units
potential for a credit for 9 units
Credit transfer / advanced standing will be determined on an individual basis, depending on your eligibility for credit transfer, prior experience and qualifications.
Pathways from this course:
Satisfactory completion of this course can lead to:
Higher Education program
Articulate into Higher Education studies .Please note that additional essential requirements for admission may apply to entry into these programs:
HN5 Bachelor of Nursing | credit for 120 credit points*
* 120 credit points is the equivalent of one-year full time study.
Hear from our students
So as I love serving people and helping them, I take Bachelor of Nursing and I'm pursuing nursing as my career. That only provides us with so many opportunities. They have contact with such good hospitals and agencies if you want to work for your placements and stuff. And they provide us with so much material and support to improve our skills through our nursing. Even in the uni, in the building, we have rooms are like literally hospital rooms where we have beds and all the equipments with dolls which do make sounds and they have pulse and everything. So it is so creative and so alive that we get to improve our skills so much. Ballarat is like the most happy, friendly little town in all of the Victoria I've been in Melbourne. But people over here are genuinely really sweet and nice to you. They're really friendly and they're just walking in the morning and someone is passing by and they'll just say, they'll smile and they say good morning to you, which is so sweet. Like it never feels that you're somewhere different. You're just you feel homely. I've heard a lot about Federation University. So back when I was applying for multiple universities, I was suggested Fed Uni by my agent and they suggested Fed Uni because it has so many campus. They support, support us so much and it is so multicultural. They're like so many people coming from so many different countries. So last year they hosted the Bollywood night for the Indian students. Being an Indian, I was so happy that they're hosting such an event. They keep on hosting events which are like for every culture and everyone gets to enjoy and feel at home, which is the best part. So the Bollywood night was the one for me. I'll be pursuing nursing as my career and I want to become a registered nurse, work here for the people and serve them and just enjoy life for some time.