HLT54121 –

Diploma of Nursing

Make an impact in your community!
Launch a successful and in-demand
nursing career in Australia.

I am a Domestic Student
IHNA considers you as a ‘domestic’ student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen, or a holder of a permanent humanitarian visa.
I am an International Student
IHNA considers you an ‘International’ student if you are not a citizen or a permanent resident of Australia; not a citizen of New Zealand; or not a permanent humanitarian visa holder.
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November 04, 2024
January 20, 2025
March 03, 2025
May 05, 2025
July 07, 2025
September 01, 2025
November 03, 2025
January 12, 2026
March 02, 2026
May 04,2026
July 06, 2026
September 07, 2026
November 02, 2026

Number of Semesters

AQF Level

Course Delivery

Blended and Face to Face

Course Duration

18 Months (78 Weeks)

Course Fee^*

$27,000

Amount of Training

1580 Hours

Campuses

Melbourne | Sydney | Perth | Brisbane^*

^*Starting in Brisbane 2025

Organisation delivering the program

Institute of Health and Nursing Australia (RTO ID: 21985)

Organisation issuing certification

Institute of Health and Nursing Australia (RTO ID: 21985)

Accreditation

* Government Funding Applicable for Eligible Candidates

The RTO doesn’t guarantee the successful completion of training by the learner. Job placement is not guaranteed after completion, but job assistance will be provided.

Course Overview

The HLT54121 – Diploma of Nursing is a comprehensive vocational education and training (VET) qualification designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required to become an Enrolled Nurse in Australia. This course complies with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 and the ANMAC Enrolled Nurse Accreditation Standards 2017. It covers many nursing competencies, including clinical assessment, nursing care, legal and ethical nursing practice, and administering medication. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates will be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) as Enrolled Nurses, enabling them to work across various healthcare settings under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Registered Midwife.

This course is ideal for individuals who aspire to pursue a career as an Enrolled Nurse within the Australian healthcare system. It suits domestic students, including school leavers, career changers, and mature-age students who meet the entry requirements. The course particularly benefits those who wish to work in hospitals, aged care facilities, community health services, and other healthcare environments. Eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. For more details, download our brochure below

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Why IHNA?

Accredited and Recognized Programs: IHNA offers nationally accredited and industry-recognized qualifications, ensuring that our graduates are well-prepared for the healthcare sector.

Experienced Faculty: Our courses are taught by experienced educators who are experts in their fields, bringing real-world experience into the classroom.

State-of-the-Art Facilities: IHNA provides access to modern, fully-equipped simulation labs and cutting-edge learning resources, enabling students to gain hands-on experience in a controlled environment.

Flexible Learning Options: IHNA accommodates various learning styles and schedules with both face-to-face and online learning options, making education accessible to all.

Industry Connections: IHNA has strong ties with the healthcare industry, offering students valuable professional experience placements (PEP) and networking opportunities that can lead to employment.

Student Support Services: We provide comprehensive support services, including academic assistance, career counselling, and personal development programs, to ensure our students succeed in their studies and beyond.

Diverse and Inclusive Environment: IHNA is committed to fostering an inclusive and culturally diverse environment, encouraging students from all backgrounds to pursue their educational goals.

Government funding available for eligible students

Simulation exercises that provide hands-on knowledge

Blended mode of delivery — both online and on-campus

Qualified and industry experienced educators

What You Will Study and Achieve

In the HLT54121 – Diploma of Nursing, you will engage in a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary to excel as an Enrolled Nurse. Throughout the course, you will study key areas that will prepare you to:

Understand and Apply Nursing Laws and Ethics: You’ll learn about the laws, policies, and procedures that guide nursing practice, ensuring you can work within legal and ethical boundaries.

Respect and Uphold Patient Rights: Through your studies, you’ll be trained to deliver care that protects the rights, confidentiality, dignity, and respect of all patients.

Take Accountability in Healthcare: The course will help you develop a strong sense of responsibility, preparing you to accept accountability for your actions in a professional setting. Plan and Deliver Effective Care: You’ll study how to interpret various sources of information to plan appropriate, patient-centred care.

Collaborate with Healthcare Teams: You’ll learn to work effectively with Registered Nurses, patients, and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement care plans.

Provide Skilled and Timely Care: The course will equip you with the skills to deliver prompt and proficient care, encouraging patient independence and involvement in decision-making.

Communicate Clearly and Professionally: You’ll study the best practices for communication and documentation, ensuring accurate and effective information sharing.

Utilise Evidence-Based Practices: The curriculum includes training on how to incorporate the latest research into your nursing practice, ensuring high standards of care.

Focus on Safety and Quality Improvement: You’ll learn to practise within established safety guidelines and continuously seek to improve the quality of care you provide.

Commit to Professional Growth: The course encourages ongoing professional development, equipping you with the skills to continue learning and growing in your nursing career.

SEMESTER 1

Unit Code	Unit Title	Formative
CHCDIV001	Work with diverse people	Group Discussion / MCQ
HLTENN035	Practise nursing within the Australian health care system	Class Discussion
HLTAAP002	Confirm physical health status	Class Discussion / Project / Match the Column
HLTENN036	Apply communication skills in nursing practice	Role play / Discussion Forum
HLTINF006	Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control	Quiz / Project
HLTWHS002	Follow safe work practices for direct client care	Individual Task / Discussion Forum
HLTENN037	Perform clinical assessment and contribute to planning nursing care	Discussion / MCQ / Role Play
HLTENN041	Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice	Debate / MCQ
HLTENN045	Implement and monitor care of the older person	Group Activity / Discussion Forum / Quiz
HLTENN068	Provide end of life care and a palliative approach in nursing practice	Group Discussion / Quiz

SEMESTER 2

Unit Code	Unit Title	Formative
CHCDIV002	Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety	Group Discussion / Role Play / Quiz
HLTENN039	Apply principles of wound management	Group Work & Quiz
HLTAAP003	Analyse and respond to client health information	Project / Match the Column / MCQ
HLTENN040 (Part I)	Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy	Individual Presentation / Quiz / Medication Calculations
HLTENN044	Implement and monitor care for a person with chronic health conditions	Individual Presentation / Quiz / Group activity
HLTENN057	Contribute to nursing care of a person with diabetes	Discussion Forum / Quiz / Group Presentation
BSBPEF402	Develop personal work priorities	Individual Task / Group Discussion
BSBLDR414	Lead Team Effectiveness	Role Play

SEMESTER 3

Unit Code	Unit Title	Formative
HLTENN043	Implement and monitor care for a person with Acute health conditions	Group Activity / MCQ
HLTENN040 (Part II)	Administer and Monitor Medicine and Intravenous Therapy	Individual Presentation / Quiz / Medication calculations
HLTENN047	Apply nursing practice in the primary health care setting	Group Discussion / Quiz
CHCPRP003	Reflect on and improve own professional practice	Group Discussion / Journal Discussion Forum
HLTENN038	Implement, monitor and evaluate nursing care	Group Presentation / MCQ
HLTENN042	Implement and monitor care for a person with mental health conditions	Group Presentation / Quiz
HLTADM008	Administer and coordinate Telehealth services	Group Work

Entry Requirements for the Program

There are no prerequisites for entry into this program. IHNA’s admission requirements for the program are as follows:

Successful completion of year 12 or equivalent or pathway through Certificate III or IV level qualification from the HLT or CHC training package*.
18 years of age and above at the time of commencement of the program.
Successful completion of the language, literacy, and numeracy (LLN) test and demonstration of competence level as exit level 3 in the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) in reading and numeracy¹.
NMBA specified level of English language skills and².
Basic computer literacy³.

*Mature age individuals (22+) who may not have completed year 12 but have significant work experience in the health sector and who meet the LLN requirements may also be considered for enrolment. Each case will be reviewed individually to ascertain the student’s suitability for program requirements⁴

1 – In case of international students, in numeracy only

2 – https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx

3 – IHNA has adopted ‘basic computer literacy’ definition that covers the most common usages of a computer, including managing computer files, word processing, using spreadsheets and databases; creating presentations; finding information and communicating using computers; and being aware of social and ethical implications of Internet use, retrieved from http://uis.unesco.org/en/glossary-term/basic-computer-skills on 06 November 2023

4 – Refer to IHNA’s Admission and Support Procedure for Mature Age Students

Professional Experience Placement (PEP) requirements

Valid and current National Police Clearance (NPC) or Australian Federal Police (AFP) Clearance certificate.
Valid and current immunisations in accordance with state/territory requirements.
Required Immunisations.
Working with Children Check (WWCC).
A valid NDIS Worker Screening Check (if applicable).
Declaration of a disability, condition, or medical treatment (if any) which may require reasonable adjustments.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements are the essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the abilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit, while preserving the academic integrity of the institute’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes. Inherent Requirements constitute the capabilities, knowledge and skills that are compulsory to complete the course for all students.

Mode of Delivery

IHNA has opted two modes of delivery for the program.

Delivery Mode	Lecture	Tutorial	SBT &OSCA	PEP
Face-to-face	On campus	On campus	On campus	PEP venue
Blended	Online	Online	On campus	PEP venue

Face to Face: Offered at our campuses in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth
Blended: Online lectures/ tutorials conducted via LMS

The course will be delivered for 20 hours per week, consisting of lectures, tutorials and support sessions.

The delivery of the program includes a combination of;

Lectures
Tutorials
Guest lectures by industry experts, multidisciplinary teams, and specialist nurses

Simulation based training (SBT)
Objective Structured Clinical Assessment (OSCA)
Professional Experience Placement (PEP)

The simulation-based training and Objective Structured Clinical Assessment conducted face to face in IHNA nursing laboratory. Mandatory attendance is required for both SBT and OSCA. The student will get a timetable during orientation which includes all the details of the SBT and OSCA schedule.

Students are expected to complete additional study in their own time as a part of self-directed interactive learning which equates to 10 hours of study per week.

Training and Assessment

IHNA has engaged in extensive consultation with subject matter experts and external consultants regarding the selection of assessment instruments. A range of assessment methods employed by IHNA ensures that assessments are fair, flexible, valid and reliable while ensuring that IHNA meets the requirements of the relevant Training Package and the rules of evidence. IHNA seeks to incorporate authentic assessments in all units of competency during the study.

Formative Assessments

Formative assessments will be conducted at set points during a unit of competency. Timings of the formative assessments will be communicated to students via LMS and in class by the educator. In the theoretical component the formative assessment may consist of the following:

Group discussion
MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)
Various types of quizzes
Role plays
Nursing Skill assessments

Summative Assessment

Students will engage in a variety of summative assessments throughout the course, encompassing theory, Objective Structured Clinical Assessment (OSCA), and Professional Experience Placement (PEP). These assessments follow a mandatory and sequential structure, requiring students to progress from theory to OSCA to PEP. The theory assessments comprise examinations, short answer questions, case studies, projects, individual/group presentations and reflective journals. OSCA involves the evaluation of students’ nursing skills within simulated nursing laboratories.

The OSCA will replicate a clinical setting, offering scenarios that Enrolled Nurses (ENs) are likely to face as they assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care.

During this course you will learn and practice how to:

Basic to advanced nursing skills within the scope of an enrolled nurse
Administer medicines & intravenous therapy
Wound management
Care of the clients with acute, chronic & mental health conditions
Care of older clients
Effective communication

Professional Experience Placement (PEP)

The PEP is an essential component of the program. The PEP is designed to provide students with experiential learning opportunities to apply relevant nursing concepts in clinical practice. The program’s PEP components are carried out in Australian health-care facilities. Students are required to complete 400 hours of PEP distributed over three (3) PEP blocks in aged care, subacute and acute facilities.

Please note: Professional Experience Placement fees are included as part of your tuition fee. Travel and accommodation associated with placement is at the cost of the student.

Any student who is required to repeat a Professional Experience Placement will be responsible for the fees associated with the placement.

Program Resourses

IHNA ensures that quality resources are accessible for staff and students to deliver programs efficiently and effectively. High quality and up-to-date learning resources enhance the effectiveness of the program by boosting the academic performance of students. IHNA provides comprehensive unit guides and learner guides that assist in directing the students to additional resources to support their learning.

Prescribed textbooks, library, and additional learning resources
Prescribed textbooks
- Koutoukidis, G., Stainton, K., & Hughson, J. (2020). Tabbner’s Nursing Care: Theory and Practice. (8th ed.). Elsevier.
- Tiziani, A. (2021). Havard’s Nursing Guide to Drugs – Mobile Optimised Site: Vol. (11th ed). Elsevier.
- Waugh, A., & Grant, A. (2022). Ross & Wilson. Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness (14th ed). Churchill Livingstone.

Student support services

Student Suppport Services

IHNA offers support services to help students adjust to study, achieve their learning goals and make satisfactory progress towards required learning outcomes. IHNA provides both academic and non-academic support to students. All support services are available to students as per the Student Services Support Policy and the Student Services Support Procedure of IHNA.

Students will have access to support services via the LMS. Full details of support services available to students are set out in the Student Handbook and on the IHNA website.
Examples of student support services include, but are not limited to:

Orientation to the program, facilities, resources etc.
English language support
Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support
Welfare support services
Counselling support services
- Internal counselling/mentoring service by IHNA staff
- External counselling by Relationship Australia
IT support (available 24/7) for IT issues such as access, logins, using software and many other matters by telephone, email or live chat
Opportunities to ask questions in real-time with the chat, voice call and video call functions in LMS/Microsoft Teams
Library and literature search assistance including orientation webinars
Assistance with academic writing, referencing and citation styles
After hours support for students while on PEP
Career guidance
Access to Resolution Institute (independent mediator)
Assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
Pastoral care services

IHNA provides support for students from diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, international students and students with disabilities. Likewise, IHNA has established the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Support Committee to promote and support the communities, not only from students’ perspective but also for the staff members and local communities.

Student support tickets system

The student support ticket system operates at campuses and on the national level. This system is available in multiple platforms and ways for students’ convenience in accessing such services.

LMS: Students can book support sessions through the LMS on academic matters, student wellbeing and safety, mental health and wellbeing, counselling and library support.
Chatbot: Students can make contact through Rishi the Bot for all support requests. The chatbot is a 24*7 support system, with academic, admin and other support services. Students can also contact their designated educator, student administration officer, course coordinator and/or placement coordinators through this system.
Student Hub: Students can book support sessions through the Student Hub on academic matters, student wellbeing and safety, mental health and wellbeing, counselling and library support.
MS Teams: Students can use MS Teams to make contact with relevant staff member with their support requests. Students can also contact their designated educator, student administration officer, course coordinator and/or placement coordinators through MS Teams.

Student Campus Council (SCC)

IHNA has established a Student Campus Council (SCC) in each campus to organise and coordinate local activities and to make their voice heard on relevant matters and concerns. The minutes of each SCC meeting will be forwarded to the Learning and Teaching Committee and Student Representative Council (SRC) which will listen to student voices, receive feedback and translate them into actions for students’ welfare.

Fees and Funding

Funding

Victoria

If the student is eligible for funding non-concession fees, the student then pays $11,600.00	This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government Funding. Refer to the “Skills First Funding” eligibility guidelines to check your funding eligibility. Click here.

To know more about the IHNA Fees & Charges, click here.

To know more about the VET Student Loan, click here.

Western Australia


If the student is eligible for Government funding, student pays: $0^*	This training is delivered with Western Australian Funding. Funding is available subject to approval. Eligible students may commence training only after funding places are approved by the Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD). ^*The Student tuition fees are indicative only and are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Additional fees may apply such as resource fees and other fees. Refer to the “DTWD Funded Training” eligibility guidelines to check your funding eligibility. Click here.

To know more about the IHNA Fees & Charges, click here.

To know more about the VET Student Loan, click here.

New South Wales

Currently no funding available, please contact us for current fee options.

To know more about the IHNA Fees & Charges, click here.

To know more about the VET Student Loan, click here.

Attention Students!

We would like to inform you about a recent surge in cyber scams. Your security is of utmost importance to us, and we want to ensure that you stay safe from potential threats.

Scammers have been employing sophisticated tactics to deceive individuals and steal sensitive information. It’s essential to be vigilant and cautious when dealing with online communications and transactions.

For IHNA’s students, it’s good to know that IHNA’s bank account details are not shared through email. Instead, the information is accessible through the secure Student Hub under Student Invoice & Payment. This method ensures that only authorised users with secure login credentials can access and view the information.

Additionally, making payments through the IHNA website provides another secure option for transactions, ensuring that personal and financial details are handled in a safe and protected environment.

For any questions or concerns related to payments or account details, students should reach out to IHNA directly through official contact channels (accounts@ihna.edu.au) to ensure the highest level of security and privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take to complete this course?
18 months(78 Weeks)
How many days do I have to attend the online live class (Online -blended)?
4 days/week and 4 Hours/ day (Only for Domestic candidates)
How many days do I have to attend the Face to Face class (On-campus)?
2.5 days /or 20 hours/week for International and Domestic students.
Can I do the SBT (Simulation based training) online?
NO, SBT, OSCA (Objective Structured Clinical Assessment) and PEP face to face on campus attendance mandatory and it is on Monday to Friday, 8.30 – 16.30. Minimum 4 weeks leave is required for every semester.
Is the PEP (Professional Experience Placements) flexible?
No, PEP rosters are set by the placement facility and is aligned with the shifting times of the facility. I.e. 7am to 3pm morning shift and 2 to 10pm for afternoon shift.
Can I fast track this course?
No
Can I get an RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) or Credit Transfer?
Yes, you may be eligible for Credit Transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) based on your previous studies. However, the HLTENN units are specifically available only to students who have successfully completed a Diploma of Nursing program that is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
Is any pre recorded sessions available?
As a part of structured interactive learning, pre-recorded lectures and learning resources are provided for students’ independent review before class.
Is it mandatory to attend a full-day class?
Yes, 80% of attendance is mandatory for this course.
What I will learn in SBT (Simulation based training)?
The student will be trained as assessed nursing skills in a laboratory simulated environment.
Can I get any support sessions?
Yes, there is one day support session on each week. Apart from that there will be 24*7 online live support from student support team.
Do you provide job placement after the course?
No, but we will guide students to get placement and registration.
Can I do PEP at my own workplace?
NO, we will organize the work placement for students. Arrangements are subject to availability.