Diploma
of Nursing

A Diploma of Nursing is a nationally recognised qualification that prepares you to work as an Enrolled Nurse in a range of healthcare settings.

Enrolled Nurses provide patient care and support, working under the direction of Registered Nurses in hospitals, aged care facilities, and community health settings.

Yes, you can study the Diploma of Nursing at UOW College without an ATAR by meeting alternative entry requirements.

You may be eligible if you meet one of the following:

• Completed Australian Year 12 or equivalent
• Completed a Certificate III or Certificate IV qualification
• Completed a UOW College pathway program, such as the University Entrance Program

 To study the Diploma of Nursing at UOW College, you must meet a combination of academic, age, language, and suitability requirements.

• Academic qualifications:
  Completion of Australian Year 12 or an equivalent qualification; or a Certificate III or Certificate IV; or an approved UOW College pathway program such as the University Entrance Program.
• Minimum age:
  You must be at least 17 years old at the start of the course.
• Language, literacy and numeracy (LLN):
  You must meet minimum LLN requirements, including an Exit Level 3 result in online numeracy and/or reading assessments.
• Suitability assessment:
  You may be required to complete a panel interview to demonstrate your suitability for the course.
• English language requirements:
  If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of English proficiency. This includes an IELTS (Academic) overall score of 7.0, with minimum scores of 7.0 in listening, reading and speaking, and 6.5 in writing, in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) standards.

The Diploma of Nursing at UOW College is typically completed in 18 months.

The course combines:

• Classroom-based theory
• Practical simulation training
• A minimum of 400 hours of clinical placement

This structure ensures you graduate with the practical skills and experience needed to begin working as an Enrolled Nurse in a range of healthcare settings.

Clinical placement is a compulsory part of the Diploma of Nursing at UOW College Australia. It allows students to gain hands-on experience in real healthcare settings, where they apply their skills under supervision and work with patients and healthcare teams.

Tuition fees for the Diploma of Nursing vary depending on your student type.

• Domestic students: View current tuition fees, payment options, scholarship and VET Student Loan information on the domestic fees page.
• International students: View current tuition fees and payment requirements information on the international fees page.

Eligible domestic students can access a VET Student Loan (VSL) to help pay tuition fees for the Diploma of Nursing at UOW College Australia.

Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for a VET Student Loan, you must meet Australian Government criteria, including:

• Approved residency status (e.g. Australian citizen or eligible visa holder)
• A valid Tax File Number (TFN)
• A Unique Student Identifier (USI)
• Sufficient HELP balance
• Meeting academic suitability requirements

How to apply

1. Accept your Letter of Offer
2. Select the VET Student Loan option
3. Complete your application via the Australian Government eCAF system before the census date

Repayment
VET Student Loans are repaid through the Australian taxation system once your income reaches the government repayment threshold.

More information
You can learn more about eligibility on the VET Student Loans page. 

After completing the course, you may be eligible to work as an Enrolled Nurse in:

• Hospitals
• Aged care facilities
• Community health services
• Rehabilitation settings

To become a Registered Nurse, you need to complete a Bachelor of Nursing. With the Diploma of Nursing at UOW College, successful completion guarantees* entry into the second year of a Bachelor of Nursing at UOW.

Studying a Diploma of Nursing allows you to gain practical experience, start working in healthcare, and build a pathway into university.

• Practical experience:
  The course includes clinical placement, where you’ll gain hands-on experience in real healthcare settings under supervision.
• Start your career sooner:
  Graduates may be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and work as Enrolled Nurses in a range of healthcare environments.
• Pathway to university:
  Successful completion of the Diploma of Nursing at UOW College guarantees* entry into the second year of a Bachelor of Nursing at UOW.
• Shorter pathway to your goals:
  The diploma can typically be completed in 18 months, allowing you to enter the workforce or progress to further study sooner.