Diploma of Nursing

You’ll complete each of your units in Canvas, your online classroom, and guided through coursework by an online tutor with real-world experience in your field of study. Canvas is where you’ll access classes, assignments and discussion boards with your peers.

The Student Hub is your online campus, where you’ll access the support and resources to assist you throughout your study journey. From managing your course to technical support and library resources, you’ll find it all in one easy location.

Many Swinburne Online courses offer unique placement opportunities where you can put your theory to practice. These are great opportunities for you to make valuable industry connections that will perfectly position you after graduation.

Swinburne Online will be there for you each step of the way. From enrolment through to graduation, we offer extended, flexible support in each of your units and advisors to assist with anything from technical support to referencing and assignment tips.

You are required to complete VCE (within the past seven years), with a minimum score of 20 for English or 25 in EAL. You must also have a satisfactory score for Units 1 and 2 in Maths or ACSF Exit Level 3 (working at Level 4) or above in both Reading and Numeracy as determined by an online literacy and numeracy test issued by Swinburne Online.

The Diploma of Nursing has entry criteria set by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council. All students entering this course must demonstrate the level of English language skills specified by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) prior to commencing the course.

You must demonstrate your English language competency in one of the following ways:

You completed your schooling in Australia or at a school taught and assessed in English.

You have achieved a specified minimum score in an approved English language test, such as IELTS, OET, PTE or TOEFL iBT. (For full English language requirements, please view the Diploma of Nursing Entry Criteria page).

Please review the following additional requirements before submitting your application:

• Applicants must be residing in Victoria, Australia, for the duration of the course.
• You must maintain a current Police Check and Working with Children Check for the duration of the course.
• The first unit of this course, HLTAID011 Provide First Aid, must be completed prior to your first placement. This requirement can be filled by providing evidence of your completion in an Accredited First Aid course. You can complete this through different providers, including St. John Ambulance Australia and Australian Red Cross.
• Applicants without formal qualifications but with significant relevant work experience are welcome to apply.
• Applicants must be 18 years of age at the time of placement
• NDIS Worker Screening Check – this process includes a National Police Check

*If a candidate believes there would be a disclosable issue on their National Police Check, a confidential conversation will be required prior to enrolment to determine suitability for work within the healthcare environment.

• Working with Children Check (Volunteer or Employee) for the duration of the program.

This course requires up-to-date evidence of immunisations. If you are not willing to provide up-to-date evidence, you may not be eligible to complete this program.

Immunisation requirements include the following:

• COVID-19 Vaccination – full course required after 15 November 2021
• Measles / Mumps / Rubella
• Diphtheria / Tetanus/ Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• Hepatitis B
• Influenza (Annual requirement)
• Tuberculosis Screening – QuantiFERON Gold test.

For more information about the minimum immunisation requirements please download the Vaccination for healthcare workers information.

Additional immunisations may be required in response to any changes in Government policy or the specific requirements of the organisation you attend for your clinical placement. Further information will be provided at the commencement of the course.

• This course requires up-to-date evidence of immunisations. If you are not able to provide up-to-date evidence, you will not be able to attend the clinical placement component of this course. For more information about the minimum immunisation requirements, please visit the health.vic website. Additional immunisations may be required in response to any changes in Government policy or the specific requirements of the organisation you attend for your clinical placement. Further information will be provided at the commencement of the course.

This course is currently not available to international students. Interstate applicants are eligible for this course, but will not be eligible for Skills First Funding and must be able to travel to Victoria for practical course elements at their own financial cost. Applicants who currently hold a higher qualification will not be eligible for Skills First Funding.

Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students. You may be eligible for Swinburne Scholarships.

Assist a registered nurse in the care of patients suffering from a severe injury or episode of illness.

Provide medical and some psychological support to patients who have mental health issues or who are in distress.

Assist individuals with a disability and/or chronic illness to attain and maintain maximum function.

Assist in the delivery of primary health care to aged patients in a variety of settings including hospitals and home care.

Provide care and support to people at any age who are experiencing severe or complex symptoms due to a life-limiting or terminal condition.