Skills check
Domestic students
You will be invited to complete a Skills Check following your application submission, before enrolling to your studies. This helps you to decide if your course is right for you and allows us to understand your current abilities in English, Maths, as well as using Digital technology.
The required benchmark levels for this course are 4 in English, 4 in Maths and 4 in Digital Technology.
If you are applying for a VET Student Loan the required levels to meet academic eligibility, as outlined by Commonwealth guidelines, is Level 4 English and Maths.
Access and instructions on how to complete the Skills Check will be emailed to you once you have submitted your application.
Read the Skills Check FAQs.
Watch this helpful video on how to complete the Skills Check for the Diploma of Nursing.
This is a requirement in accordance with TAFE Queensland and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).
English language skills
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 (2025) 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 (NMBA), 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:
As part of your application process for the Diploma of Nursing, you will be required to complete a declaration in the Diploma of Nursing English Language Skills Acknowledgement Form using one of two pathways demonstrating English language competence:
- Primary language pathway (Section 1 of the acknowledgement form)
You must have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six (6) years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country as specified in the NMBA’s English language skills registration standard (2025). At least two years of this education must have been between grades 7 and 12.
The approved Recognised Countries are: Antigua and Barbuda | Anguilla | Australia | The Bahamas | Barbados | Belize | Bermuda | British Indian Ocean Territory | Canada | Cayman Islands | Dominica | Falkland Islands | Gibraltar | Grenada | Guernsey | Guyana | Isle of Man | Jamaica | Jersey | Malta | New Zealand | Republic of Ireland | Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha | St Kitts and Nevis | St Lucia | St Vincent and the Grenadines | Trinidad and Tobago | United Kingdom | United States of America | US Virgin Islands.
IMPORTANT NOTE: South Africa is no longer a NMBA recognised country (as of 18 March 2025)
- English language test pathway (Section 2 of the acknowledgement form)
Where English is not your primary language, you must 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 NMBA’s English language skills registration standard (2025).
The assessment must have been completed less than 2 years from the date of submission of your application for the Diploma of Nursing.
Formal English language tests are listed below, with their required outcomes to support enrolment. Please refer to the English language skills registration standard (2025) for specific requirements around the use of 2 test results:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) - a minimum overall score of 7 with a minimum score of 7 in listening, reading, and speaking and a minimum score of 6.5 in writing.
- Cambridge (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency) - a minimum overall score of 185 in listening, reading and speaking and a minimum score of 176 in writing
- Test of English as a Foreign Language / Internet-based test (TOEFL-iBT) - a minimum score 94 and a minimum score in each section of the test 24 for listening, reading and writing and 23 for speaking.
- Pearson’s Test of English (PTE) - a minimum overall score of 66 in listening, reading and speaking and a minimum score of 56 in writing
- Occupational English Test (OET) - a minimum score of B in listening, reading, speaking and a minimum score of C+ in writing
Inherent Requirements
Before deciding if a course is right for you, it's important to make an informed choice and consider the key skills, knowledge, and assessment requirements involved. Review the inherent requirements for this course.
Review the inherent requirements for the course listed below and reflect on whether any of them might present difficulties for you, and if they align with your abilities and goals. If you feel you may have challenges due to a disability, a health condition, or for any other reason, we encourage you to speak with a regional Education Manager, a student services team member, or the regional AccessAbility Officer to discuss your concerns and confirm if the course is suitable for you.
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.
