Diploma of Nursing

To practice safely in Australia, health practitioners, including nurses, must have strong English language skills. This includes being able to communicate effectively with patients and their relatives, collaborate with other health care professionals and keep clear and accurate health records.

The English language skills registration standard is one of the five core standards required under National Law. In preparation for registration, and required by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, all new applicants studying the Diploma of Nursing at TAFE Queensland are to demonstrate English language, as well as literacy and numeracy skills prior to enrolment.

Domestic and International students:
Prior to enrolment students will be required to complete a declaration using one of two enrolment pathways demonstrating English language competence: 

1. Primary language pathway
   Prior to enrolment, you must complete section 1 of the declaration stating that English is your primary language. You will also declare that you have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary, secondary (including at least two years between years 7 and 12), and full-time vocational and/or tertiary education taught and assessed in English in one of the recognised countries. Recognised Countries are: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America.
    
2. English language test pathway
   Where English is not your primary language, you must complete section 2 of the declaration and provide evidence of a formal English language test result. Students must demonstrate they have achieved the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) minimum requirements as specified in the English language skills.
   The assessment must have been completed less than 2 years ago.
   Formal English language tests are listed below, with their required outcomes to support enrolment*-

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - a minimum score of 7.0 overall and in each of the four (4) components
• Occupational English Test (OET) - a minimum score of ‘B’ in each of the four (4) components
• Pearson’s Test of English (PTE) - a minimum score of 65 in each of the four (4) communicative skills
• Test of English as a Foreign Language / Internet-based test (TOEFL-iBT) - a minimum score of 94 overall with a minimum score in each section:

               - 24 for listening
               - 24 for reading
               - 27 for writing
               - 23 for speaking

*Please refer to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia for further specific requirements for an accepted test result.

BKSB
Prior to enrolment ALL students will need to complete a Basic Key Skills Builder (bksb) assessment and achieve a competency of at least Exit Level 3 in the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) in both language and numeracy.
Watch this helpful video on bksb and the Diploma of Nursing.

This is a requirement in accordance with TAFE Queensland and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).

Selection criteria

Please read the Entry Requirements section above. Entry into this course is direct application via Apply Now or via QTAC.

International students
Applicants should be a minimum of 17 years of age and turning 18 during the first year of study with TAFE Queensland. International students who are under 18 years of age and are applying for a student visa are required by the Australian Department of Home Affairs to have adequate welfare arrangements in place.

Academic Requirements: Completion of Year 12 (or equivalent). Non school-leavers must have relevant work experience or qualification that indicates likely success of course completion. For more information on the international education achievement levels equivalent to Year 10 and 12.

It is recommended that you have access to a reliable internet connection to access TAFE Queensland's online learning system Connect, and a computer with up-to-date software, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Reader. This equipment and software is available for use at all TAFE Queensland locations.

You will be provided with a recommended reading list and/or required textbooks during orientation or at the start of each unit. The purchase of these resources may incur additional costs, or you may be able to borrow them from the TAFE Queensland library network.

You may also be required to purchase uniform items, and a nursing kit. These details will be provided after enrolment or during orientation.

You will be required to progress through theoretical and practical simulation training components in each stage of your course. The practical simulation components will be conducted on campus either in residential block periods or as timetabled sessions throughout your stage of study. These residential block periods are multiple full day allocations of 1 week or more with mandatory attendance requirements, for students to complete the necessary practical sessions and assessments to be eligible to continue to clinical placement allocations. You will need to successfully undertake a clinical placement in a health care facility or hospital where you will get to use your new skills and knowledge in the real world. You’ll be required to work shifts determined by your placement provider, and these can include early mornings or late nights, any day of the week, including public holidays. Completing placement assessment is compulsory, and you will be expected to manage family and work commitments in order to complete your shifts.  You will need to successfully complete a minimum of 400 hours of placement to satisfy AHPRA's requirements for your qualification.

You will need to be eligible for, and obtain, a Working with Children Check (for Queensland students, this is a Blue Card), and NDIS clearance, and a Police Check issued by the Australian Federal Police. 

Queensland students are advised that a Blue Card application will be assisted by TAFE Queensland staff after enrolment. TAFE Queensland will verify your student status and link you to our organisation in the Queensland Blue Card portal. Please note for students from other States and Territories you will need to follow the specific guidelines for your Working with Children Check for your location. If a Student believes they may be disallowed from receiving a Working with Children Check (or Blue Card) please contact your regional VP Officer to discuss prior to enrolment as this may impact on your ability to be allocated for vocational placement assessment.

You are to apply for NDIS Worker Screening Check once enrolled as you will be considered a volunteer and TAFE Queensland will need to verify your application as a student. 

Australian Federal Police checks are to be no older than 3 months from the start of study for Stage 1 studies. If a Student believes they may have a notification or charges on their police check please contact your regional VP Officer to discuss prior to enrolment as this may impact on your ability to be allocated for vocational placement assessment.

If your Australian Federal Police check identifies that you have a criminal history or you are unable to be issued with a Blue Card or NDIS Worker’s Clearance, you may be disqualified from being eligible to undertake placement and assessment, which would affect your course. If you think this might impact you, please speak to the relevant Vocational Placement Coordinator for further information.

Please note: TAFE Queensland wishes to warn you, as a Blue Card applicant, that it is an offence for a disqualified person to sign a Blue Card application.  For further information regarding 'disqualified' persons, please contact Blue Card Services.

Vaccination requirements
COVID-19 vaccination requirements across a range of high-risk settings have eased. There are no Public Health Directions in affect requiring you to be vaccinated in high risk settings. However, decisions on mandatory vaccinations will be made by the owner or operator of these settings. Some facilities may also mandate the number of vaccinations required. These requirements will be provided to the student, prior to arrangements being made for the completion of vocational placement.