Enquire Now
IHNA Online Current Students Library IHNA Alumni Contact Us Careers
Skip to pathway finder

Articulation pathways and partnerships

The learning you've done counts. Let's work out how far.

For healthcare and community services learners taking the next step, IHNA recognises relevant prior study through credit transfer and recognition of prior learning. Every application is assessed individually, in writing, before you commit.

Find my pathway I represent an RTO

A typical route

  1. 01

    Diploma

    e.g. HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing or CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services

    Your foundation

  2. 02

    Credit assessment

    Credit transfer / RPL assessed individually, in writing

    Before you commit

  3. 03

    Bachelor Degree

    e.g. Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Social Work

    Up to 12 months credit, assessed

Bachelor of Nursing: Subject to ANMAC accreditation and NMBA approval. Credit and duration are never automatic.

4

destination courses across the two pathways

5

existing university partners named in source

2

working days — target for first advisor response

5

working days — written indicative credit after verified documents

Why articulation matters

A clearer next step, with honest limits.

Articulation links one qualification to the next. It's designed to respect your previous learning. It does not guarantee employment, a visa, professional registration or unconditional admission, and we'd rather tell you that up front.

Recognise what you've learned

Completed units that are identical or equivalent can transfer. Other evidenced learning can be assessed through RPL.

Avoid repeating content

Spend your time on what's new to you rather than relearning what you already know and can demonstrate.

Potentially shorten study and cost

Where your written assessment supports it, credit may reduce duration. The amount is set individually, never assumed.

Keep building a caring career

Pathways connect certificate, diploma and degree study in nursing and community services.

Credit transfer

Recognises completed units that are identical or equivalent to units in your new course.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Assesses other prior learning against unit requirements, based on the evidence you provide.

Pathway Finder

Start with what you hold, or what you're studying now.

How each pathway works: start with a diploma, then progress to a bachelor degree with credit. Select a course to see its full details.

01 Nursing pathway Diploma of Nursing Bachelor of Nursing
Step 1 · Diploma Diploma of Nursing HLT54121 5 eligible feeder qualifications RPL and credit transfer assessed View course details
Up to 12 months credit 8 units · entry to second year, subject to individual assessment
Step 2 · Bachelor Degree Bachelor of Nursing Subject to ANMAC accreditation and NMBA approval 2nd year entry possible, where assessment supports it Requires current NMBA enrolled nurse registration View course details
02 Community services pathway Diploma of Community Services Bachelor of Social Work
Step 1 · Diploma Diploma of Community Services CHC52021 6 eligible feeder qualifications RPL and credit transfer assessed View course details
Up to 12 months credit Max. 25% of the four-year degree · entry to second year, subject to assessment
Step 2 · Bachelor Degree Bachelor of Social Work 2nd year entry possible, where assessment supports it No credit for core social work units or later placements View course details
Diploma of Nursing pathway details
Source institution / provider Participating RTO — signed partner status to be confirmed
Eligible qualifications
  • CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support
  • CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support
  • HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
  • Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance Code not specified in source
  • CHC43115 Disability-sector qualification Targeted feeder only — subject to mapping; equivalent credit not confirmed
Destination HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing
Credit Credit transfer for identical or equivalent completed units; recognition of prior learning (RPL) assessed on evidence for other learning. No fixed number of months or units is promised.
Progression Onward study: Bachelor of Nursing (Subject to ANMAC accreditation and NMBA approval), requiring current enrolled nurse registration.
Conditions
  • Individual written assessment determines actual credit
  • Standard entry and English / LLN requirements apply
  • Placement requirements: police check, Working with Children check and immunisations
Locations and modes Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart, with blended options. Locations and modes are subject to course, intake and international registration confirmation.
Diploma of Community Services pathway details
Source institution / provider Participating RTO — signed partner status to be confirmed
Eligible qualifications
  • CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services
  • CHC42021 Certificate IV in Community Services
  • CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health
  • CHC40421 Certificate IV in Youth Work
  • CHC43115 Certificate IV in Disability Support Title as stated in source
  • CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support
Destination CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services
Credit Unit-level credit transfer for identical or equivalent units, and evidence-based RPL. No fixed credit amount is promised.
Progression Onward study: Bachelor of Social Work.
Conditions
  • Individual written assessment determines actual credit
  • Standard entry and English / LLN requirements apply
Locations and modes IHNA campuses, with blended and online options. Confirm course availability for your intake.
Bachelor of Nursing pathway details
Source institution / provider IHNA, or a participating RTO — signed partner status to be confirmed
Eligible qualifications
  • HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing Plus current NMBA enrolled nurse registration
Destination Bachelor of Nursing Subject to ANMAC accreditation and NMBA approval
Credit Up to 12 months (8 units), with entry to second year subject to individual assessment. Credit is not automatic.
Progression Entry to second year of the degree, where assessment supports it.
Conditions
  • Enrolment is conditional on accreditation and approvals
  • Current enrolled nurse registration required
  • Placement requirements: police check, Working with Children check and immunisations
Locations and modes Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane, subject to approvals and intake confirmation.
Bachelor of Social Work pathway details
Source institution / provider IHNA, or a participating RTO — signed partner status to be confirmed
Eligible qualifications
  • CHC52021 Diploma of Community Services
  • CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services Superseded qualification, listed in Strategy §1.2
Destination Bachelor of Social Work
Credit Up to 12 months, a maximum of 25% of the four-year degree, with entry to second year subject to assessment.
Progression Entry to second year of the degree, where assessment supports it.
Conditions
  • No credit for core social work units or later placements
  • No blanket field-education exemption and no double counting
  • Described as AASW-accredited in the supplied sources
Locations and modes North Melbourne. Further campuses are planned and are not currently available.

How it works

Six steps, and you'll know your credit in writing before you decide.

  1. 01

    Enquire

    Email a Pathway Advisor directly. Target first response: within 2 working days.

  2. 02

    Share your record

    Provide a verified USI transcript or academic record. Current students can share proof of enrolment for a conditional pre-assessment.

  3. 03

    Indicative credit

    Receive written indicative credit within 5 working days after your documents are verified.

  4. 04

    Apply

    Submit a formal application. Admission checks, entry and English / LLN requirements apply.

  5. 05

    Offer and acceptance

    The manual describes a 5 working day target for complete applications — a target, not an unconditional promise.

  6. 06

    Start well

    Priority orientation and a transition workshop help you settle into the new level of study.

Domestic eligibility

  • Current students, and alumni who completed within the last 18 months, in an eligible feeder qualification.
  • Standard entry and English / LLN requirements apply.
  • Nursing placements require a police check, Working with Children check and immunisations.

Onshore international students

  • A completion-first policy applies: you're expected to complete your current course.
  • Before any offer, admissions checks Standard 7, the six-month/1 year principal-course restriction, any release required, and PRISMS.
  • We can't provide migration advice. Please seek a registered migration agent for visa questions.

HCI Pathway Scholarship

Eligible students may receive the HCI Pathway Scholarship of 20 per cent off first-semester tuition fees. Conditions apply.

Read the conditions
  • Eligibility for students from signed partner RTOs must be confirmed.
  • Start within 18 months of completing your feeder qualification.
  • Domestic students, and onshore international students eligible under Standard 7.
  • All admission criteria must be met.
  • Applied as credit on the first invoice; not cash, not transferable, first semester only.
  • Cannot be combined with the Industry Hub discount or other HCI scholarships or promotions.
  • Terms for future applicants may change on 60 days' partner notice; existing offers are unaffected.
  • The scholarship does not change credit or admission decisions.

For registered training organisations

Give your graduates a responsible next step.

If your RTO delivers certificate qualifications in health, ageing, disability or community services, a partnership can give your learners a documented route into IHNA study.

Discuss a partnership

Opens your email app, addressed to partnerships@hci.edu.au.

01

No fees, commissions or minimum numbers

Participation costs nothing and carries no volume targets.

02

A non-binding MOU

A memorandum of understanding records intent without locking either party in.

03

You inform; we lead sessions

Your RTO informs its own students and hosts IHNA-led information sessions.

04

Clear separation

Only IHNA issues offers and CoEs and collects tuition. No joint awards, joint delivery or agent relationship.

05

Privacy by design

Students self-refer, so you never pass on personal information.

I'm a student or graduate

Tell us what you've studied and where you'd like to go. Have your USI transcript ready if you can.

Email a Pathway Advisor

I represent an RTO

Share your RTO number and the qualifications you deliver, and we'll start a conversation.

Discuss a partnership

Both open your email app addressed to partnerships@hci.edu.au. Other contact: IHNA contact

Acknowledgement

IHNA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country throughout Australia and recognises continuing connection to land, waters, and culture.
We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

Know more