Overview
Are you looking for a rewarding career helping others? If you want to become a nurse, this is the minimum qualification required to work in any state or territory. On graduation and registration, you may find work in acute care hospitals, aged-care facilities, adult day-centres, and community health services as an Enrolled Nurse (EN).
Duration
24 months (includes term breaks)
Requirements
To be eligible to apply for entry into this course you must meet the following requirements:
Immunisations The Wodonga TAFE Diploma of Nursing program follows the mandated vaccination schedule for healthcare workers from both NSW and Victoria, preparing graduates for future employment on either side of the border. Applicants who conscientiously object to obtaining immunisations will not be able to meet the mandated vaccination schedule for healthcare workers, attend or complete the compulsory clinical placement requirements of the course. Applicants may make a time to discuss this further by contacting the Customer Experience team.
Physical Capability This course requires you to have good physical ability. The physical demands can include but are not limited to; standing for long periods, bending, supporting patients while moving, assisting with activities of daily living (including attending to hygiene requirements), manual lifting up to approx. 10kg, kneeling on the floor, pushing a wheelchair. Certain aspects of assessment rely on your physical ability to perform two (2) minutes of uninterrupted CPR on adult and infant manikins at floor level and respond to an emergency where there may be a risk to life. If you identify a potential inability to meet these physical requirements, you will need to speak with the Course Coordinator.
Minimum Age Be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time of the first clinical placement.
English Language Standards This course has program entry criteria set by the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council. Therefore, students must demonstrate they have achieved the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) specified level of English language skills, prior to enrolling in the program. You will be asked to complete documentation during the application process to identify how you will meet the English language requirements and provide evidence as required. You must be able to demonstrate English language competency in one of the following areas:
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Primary Language Pathway English is your primary language, and you have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the recognised countries, including at least two years between Years 7 and 12. OR
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English Language Test Completed All test results must be less than 12 months old at the time of commencing your study; if you completed your test over two sittings, the date of the earliest test is used.
- The IELTS (academic module) with a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
- The OET with a minimum score of Bs in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
- The PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
- The TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing, and 23 for speaking.
You must be able to provide evidence that you meet the above English language requirements prior to being offered a place in this program.
Please view the requirements for the English language requirements As part of the enrolment process you be required to complete a signed declaration that English is your primary language.
Language, Literacy & Numeracy Requirements As part of the application process for the Diploma of Nursing, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) requires all applicants to complete a 2-hour supervised Language, Literacy & Numeracy (LLN) assessment, administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). This supervised assessment covers Reading, Writing, and Numeracy. To progress to the next stage of the application process, you must achieve the following minimum results:
- Reading: Exit Level 3 or above
- Numeracy: Exit Level 3 or above
- Writing: Exit Level 2, Working at Level 3
- In addition, you must complete the Digital Course Ready Assessment, which evaluates your digital literacy capabilities.
Booking details for both assessments will be provided through the 'Application Requirement Questionnaire' electronic form. Please allow up to 2 hours to complete these assessments on campus.
For further information, please see: Frequently Asked Questions about the ACER assessment
Uniform Requirements
- Polo shirt and scrub top with Wodonga TAFE Logo (as supplied)
- Black/Navy blue pants
- Navy blue sleeveless vest, jumper or cardigan
- Black enclosed shoes with non-slip soles
- Watch with a second hand (preferably a nurse's fob watch)
- NOTE: As part of placement and clinical lab requirements, students must wear navy or black full-length pants, and black enclosed shoes throughout clinical placement. Placement uniform shirts will be provided by Wodonga TAFE.
Digital Capability It is recommended that students have a laptop or computer to complete coursework. Free WiFi is available on campus, and access to library and study spaces on campus are available to all enrolled students.
Information Sessions
Currently there are no information sessions planned for this course.
For specific course information - please contact our friendly Customer Experience Team on 1300 698 233.
Field Placement
Clinical Placement
- Students must be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time of their first clinical placement.
- All students will undertake 400 hours of unpaid clinical placement. Placement is arranged by Wodonga TAFE and meets the minimum 400 hours required by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).
- Clinical placement is divided into blocks. Students are required to attend from Monday to Sunday as rostered by the placement venue, and may involve shift work hours, for example, 7am-3.30pm or 2pm-10.30pm; may include public holidays and some venues require some travel.
- For successful course completion, 100% attendance is required at all rostered placements. The exact dates are arranged and timetabled into the program, but may change subject to clinical venue availability. - The specific aims of the clinical placement are: to apply knowledge learned during your course in the workplace whilst gaining skills that are recognised by industry allowing you to become familiar with employers' expectations which may increase your employment options and employability skills.
- A current National Police Records Check and a valid Working with Children's Check (volunteer) and confirmation of immunisation status are all required prior to placement.
- If you do not have records of your immunisation status you will need to visit a medical practitioner to obtain written proof of protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, hepatitis B, tuberculosis/QuantiFERON Gold status, and annual influenza vaccine. There may be a cost to yourself when updating or receiving vaccination/s. Note: COVID-19 vaccinations are a requirement of most placement venues and are highly recommended for any worker and students on work placement.
- As part of placement requirements students must wear navy or black full-length pants, and black enclosed shoes throughout clinical placement. Placement uniform shirts and name tags will be provided by Wodonga TAFE.
- Some travel will be required which may impose an extra cost. If placement is in areas other than the local region, accommodation and travel costs will need to be met by the student.
Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) Scheme As of July 1 2025, students enrolled in a Diploma of Nursing may be eligible for financial support for mandatory work placement. The CPP is a grant from the government paid to eligible Diploma of Nursing students in instalments each time they undertake a prac placement during their qualification. Students can be eligible to receive up to $331.65 per week in order to assist with cost of living during placements. Find out more about the CPP Scheme on the YourCareers website
Assessment
The assessments will enable students to demonstrate the underpinning knowledge, skills and attributes required to meet the course outcomes. A range of assessment strategies to meet different student's needs will be selected, including reports, presentations, tests and practical demonstrations of your skills and knowledge learned.
Course coordinators arrange regular review meetings with each student, to discuss their progress in the course. Any concerns can be discussed at these meetings and supports can be put in place to assist students where needed. Students can make appointments with their coordinators at any time through the course.
Other Information
- Term breaks will be scheduled into the timetable and there is an expectation that additional study and research will be undertaken in your own time to meet competency requirements.
- Your learning journey will consist of a blended learning environment, undertaking classroom-based learning, self-directed learning, online learning, practical ward lab, and simulated sessions, along with work placement of 10 weeks in total.
- This Diploma level course will require you to complete research and assessment projects outside of scheduled classes. Students should allow approximately 15-20 hours of self-directed learning per week. This will vary between individuals and their own learning capabilities.