HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing VET Course

What is a HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing?

The Diploma of Nursing will prepare you for a career as an Enrolled Nurse (EN) in the Australian healthcare environment. You will learn vital skills in assessment, clinical decision-making, person-centred care, professional communication, enquiry and research, awareness of diversity and self-care practices.

This course incorporates training in clinical simulation labs and 400 hours of clinical placements. During your studies, you will have the opportunity to gain competence in delivering care in multiple healthcare industry and community settings.

Integrity in the pursuit of knowledge - Employability through industry recognised learning
A reflexive, globally focused curriculum
Access to a global network of facilities and connections
Proactive engagement with industry globally
Collaboration, teamwork and partnership
Learning flexibility at every point
Inter-cultural understanding and respect
Intellectual and personal welfare of all staff and students
This course has a requirement of 400 hours of work placement.

ACN member

Think Education is a member of the Australian College of Nursing, the leading national organisation of the nursing profession.

ANMAC accredited

Our program is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council, so you know it meets the required education standards.

APNA member

Think Education is a member of the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association, the peak body for nurses working in primary health care.

CATSINaM member

Think Education is a member of the Congress of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nurses and Midwifery to encourage diversity.

CDNM member

Think Education is a member of the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery, so our courses are monitored for quality assurance.

Download course guide Apply now

Study mode

On campus, Blended

Campus locations*

Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane

Student

Domestic

International

Course duration

Full time: 1.6 years (5 Trimesters)

Start date

15 Sep 2025

16 Feb 2026

01 Jun 2026

14 Sep 2026

View all key dates

Fee & scholarships

Learn more

This course is provided and delivered by Think: Colleges Pty Ltd.

Career opportunities

Upon successful completion of the HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing, you will be eligible to apply for registration with Australian Health Practitioners Agency (AHPRA) as an Enrolled Nurse.

Potential career paths

Enrolled Nurse
Average salary: $65,642 - $95,186
Acute Care
Average salary: $63,118 - $71,923
Aged Care
Average salary: $65,754 - $124,488
Chronic Care
Average salary: $61,460 - $68,291

Learn more about careers in Health

Subjects and units

Delivered on campus, this course comprises 25 units, consisting of 20 core subjects and 5 electives. Assessments may include knowledge questions, case studies, role play, demonstrations, observation, simulations and projects.

The course structure, showing subjects can be viewed or download via the Student Hub.

International students on a student visa must not enrol into any more than a third or 33% of online subjects over their course and must study at least one subject that is face to face in each trimester.

International students on a student visa are required to study full time, i.e. the student must complete a minimum of 1.0 EFTSL of study per year.

Requirements

These eighteen core subjects must be completed.

Apply communication skills in nursing practice | HLTENN036

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to apply effective communication skills with a person, family or carer and with other healthcare professionals in a variety of health care settings.

Communication skills in nursing practice require using information technology as well as interpersonal skills applied therapeutically in nursing care and small group discussions.

This unit applies to enrolled nursing work carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses, and under supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia regulatory authority legislative requirements.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Use medical terms in health care | HLTCCD003

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply an understanding of medical terminology to interpret clinical documentation and communicate with health care professionals.

This unit applies to health care professionals who are responsible for interpreting patient clinical information for the purposes of providing health care services. Work may be performed as an individual or as part of a team under limited supervision.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Follow safe work practices for direct client care | HLTWHS002

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required for a worker to participate in safe work practices to ensure their own health and safety, and that of others in work environments that involve caring directly for clients. It has a focus on maintaining safety of the worker, the people being supported and other community members. This unit applies to all workers who require knowledge of workplace health and safety (WHS) to carry out their own work, in both centre-based and home-based service provision.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Confirm physical health status | HLTAAP002

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to obtain and interpret information about client health status and to check a client’s physical health. It requires a detailed knowledge of anatomy and physiology.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Analyse and respond to client health information | HLTAAP003

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to analyse client health information and then to plan appropriate health services within scope of own role. It requires an in-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Provide end of life care and a palliative approach in nursing | HLTENN068

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide a person-centred approach to palliative and end of life care in primary health care, hospitals, hospices, home and community care, and long-term care facilities.

This unit applies to enrolled nursing work carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses, and under supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia regulatory authority legislative requirements.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control | HLTINF006

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to follow organisational infection prevention and control procedures, including implementing standard and transmission-based precautions and responding to infection risks.

This unit applies to individuals working in health and direct client care contexts.
Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice | HLTENN041

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to within work legal and ethical parameters in professional nursing practice, including supporting rights and meeting duty of care requirements.

This unit applies to enrolled nursing work carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses, and under supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia regulatory authority legislative requirements.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Implement and monitor care of the older person | HLTENN045

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to perform nursing interventions to support the social and emotional wellbeing and nursing care needs of the older person in care.

This unit applies to enrolled nursing work carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses, and under supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia regulatory authority legislative requirements.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Implement, monitor and evaluate nursing care plans | HLTENN038

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to implement nursing care as outlined in a person’s plan of care, evaluate outcomes of care provided, record and report progress, and respond to an emergency situation. This unit applies to enrolled nursing work carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses, and under supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia regulatory authority legislative requirements.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Practice nursing within the Australian health care system | HLTENN035

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to practise as a nursing professional within the Australian health care system, providing health care across the lifespan of people in a range of health and community care services or environments.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Perform clinical assessment and contribute to planning nursing care | HLTENN037

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required, within the scope of practice, to perform preliminary and ongoing physical health assessments of all body systems, gathering data that contributes to a person’s individualised health care plan. This unit applies to enrolled nursing work carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses, and under supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia regulatory authority legislative requirements. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Work with diverse people | CHCDIV001

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. This unit applies to all workers. 40 nominal hours.

Assessment Tasks: Work-integrated learning activity

Delivery Mode: Online
Apply principles of wound management in the clinical environment | HLTENN039

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to apply contemporary wound management principles to the care of various types of wounds. It involves working with the interdisciplinary health care team to contribute to assessment, treatment and ongoing management of a person’s wounds.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Manage personal stressors in the work environment | HLTWHS006

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain health and wellbeing by preventing and managing personal stress.

This unit applies to work in a range of health and community services settings, in particular work roles that operate in high stress situations and circumstances.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Respond to client language, literacy and numeracy needs | CHCLLN001

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify situations where client language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) skills may be impeding access to services, to adjust service delivery, and to refer appropriately to improve client outcomes.

The unit does not provide workers with the skills and knowledge to identify LLN skill levels or to actively intervene in developing a client’s LLN skills.

This unit applies to individuals who may be making individual client assessments or managing caseloads as part of their work role.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Reflect on and improve own professional practice | CHCPRP003

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development. This unit applies to workers in all industry sectors who take pro-active responsibility for their own professional development.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Apply nursing practice in the primary health care setting | HLTENN047

This unit describes the nursing skills and knowledge required to work in a primary health care environment including community-based, educational, occupational and informal settings, and in general practice.

Primary health care involves a person-centred and comprehensive approach to health care. It is made accessible to people by being located as close as possible to where they live, and supporting their full participation in a spirit of self-reliance and self-determination.

This unit applies to enrolled nursing work carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses and under supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia regulatory authority legislative requirements.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

Requirements

These seven core subjects must be completed.

Implement and monitor care for a person with mental health conditions | HLTENN042

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to contribute to the nursing care and treatment of a person with a mental health condition. This unit applies to enrolled nursing work carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses, and under supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) regulatory authority legislative requirements. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian Standards and industry codes of practice.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Implement and monitor care for a person with chronic health conditions | HLTENN044

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to meet the assessed health care needs of people with chronic health conditions.

This unit applies to enrolled nursing work carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses, and under supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia regulatory authority legislative requirements.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy | HLTENN040

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to administer and monitor medicine and intravenous (IV) therapy including calculating dosage requirements, reading and applying written instructions from an authorised prescriber, assessing the person for medicine effectiveness and side effects, and responding to an allergic pharmacological reaction. This unit applies to enrolled nursing work carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses and under supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) regulatory authority legislative requirements. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian Standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Implement and monitor care for a person with acute health conditions | HLTENN043

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to meet the assessed health care needs of people with acute health conditions. This unit applies to enrolled nursing work carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses, and under supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) regulatory authority legislative requirements. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian Standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural safety | CHCDIV002

The unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety issues in the workplace, model cultural safety in own work practice, and develop strategies to enhance cultural safety. This unit applies to people working in a broad range of roles including those involved in direct client service, program planning, development and evaluation contexts.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Contribute to the nursing care of a person with diabetes | HLTENN057

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide nursing care to a person with diabetes including assessing needs, planning and implementing nursing interventions, evaluating outcomes, and educating the person on the condition and available resources.

This unit applies to enrolled nursing work carried out in consultation and collaboration with registered nurses, and under supervisory arrangements aligned to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) regulatory authority legislative requirements.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online
Research and apply evidence to practice | CHCPOL003

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish the information need, gather information and critically analyse the information for relevance to own work.

This unit applies to health and community service workers who need to research existing information to support and improve their work practice. It does not cover primary research.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

Assessment Tasks: Collaborate Session, Class Discussion, Learning Activities, Role Play, Case Studies

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

International students must not enrol in more than one-third (33%) of online subjects over their course, and must study at least one face-to-face subject each study period. For more information, visit Study in Australia.

International students on a student visa are required to study full time (i.e. must complete a minimum of 1.0 EFTSL of study per year). For the latest information on study locations, please check the entry requirements flyer.

Industry partners and Work‑Integrated Learning

Work placements and Work-Integrated Learning programs provide a valuable resource for you to develop hands-on practical experience to ensure you graduate confident and job-ready. At Think Education, we are proud of our network of partners and always welcome new opportunities to build new industry relationships.

To be eligible for Clinical Placement, the students are required to:

Declare physical and mental fitness to safely perform the duties associated with direct care work including strength, mobility, hearing, vision and communication requirements.

Have a current clear Working with Children Check.
Have a current clear National Police Record Check.
Have an up-to-date immunisation/vaccination record.
Have basic computer skills, have been vaccinated for COVID 19.

Work-Integrated Learning Hours

This course has a requirement of 400 hours of clinical experience in a range of settings, such as private and public hospitals, GP clinics and aged care facilities. Placements are coordinated at a national level, to guarantee varied experience and ensure maximum exposure to the clinical field. Enrolled domestic students may be eligible for Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP), which supports cost of living for Vocational Education and Training (VET) students in critical workforces.

You can source Work-Integrated Learning opportunities, including placements, through our Careers Connect database, all vetted for quality and relevance by Think Education's Learning Facilitators.

Entry details

Fees

Check the domestic course fee schedule for the cost of your course.

VET Student Loans (VSL)

You can apply for VET Student Loan (VSL) if you are eligible. VET Student Loan (VSL) is a Commonwealth Government loan scheme that assists students to pay a part of their VET tuition fee.*

The maximum course fees are $18,838 AUD.

*Please note for VET Student Loans (VSL):

VET student loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements.
VET student loan gives rise to a VETSL debt that continue to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid.

Learn more about fees and VSL

Scholarships

If you are truly passionate about health, we want to hear from you. We have a variety of health scholarships on offer to assist you in becoming a key part of the health industry:

Admission criteria

Before you begin your course application, check you meet the requirements listed below.

Year 12 or equivalent

A completed vocational education qualification at Certificate III or Certificate IV level

Successful completion of a Vocational qualification (AQF Level 5), or above

For students wanting to apply as a mature age entry, be 21 years of age or older

Undertake Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) testing from an Australian Government approved provider and demonstrate competency at exit level 3 in the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) in both reading and numeracy.

All Domestic students must meet the minimum English Language standards set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) for initial course entry and registration. Students must provide evidence of meeting this standard prior to commencing study. Check NMBA English standards here.

If you are required to provide evidence in the form of an English test please:

Check IELTS test dates here

Find your nearest IELTS test centre here

Note: Australian students who have successfully completed an Australian Grade 12 certificate with an English subject and students who have undertaken a formal English language skills test (for example, the International Language Testing System) that meets program entry criteria referred to in criterion 6.1a, need only undertake the numeracy component of the LLN test.

Fee payment

Course fees can be paid across three study periods. Each instalment to be paid before the beginning of the academic stage census date.

Fees

Check the international course fee schedule for the cost of your course. Onshore international students requiring a student visa should choose campus-based / blended options.

Download International fees PDF

Scholarships

We want you to have the best possible chance to succeed, which is why we offer a range of financial scholarships to support our international students during their study journey.

Admission criteria

Before you begin your course application, check you meet the requirements listed below.

Year 12 or equivalent

A completed vocational education qualification at Certificate III or Certificate IV level

Successful completion of a Vocational qualification (AQF Level 5), or above

For students wanting to apply as a mature age entry, be 21 years of age or older

IELTS score of 7.0 in three components (listening, reading and speaking) and minimum score of 6.5 in writing

Check IELTS test dates here

Find your nearest IELTS test centre here

OET B in each of the 3 components (listening, reading, speaking) and C+ minimum in writing TOEFL iBT minimum score of 94

PTE Academic minimum score of 66

Provide evidence of meeting at least one of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) English language standards prior to enrolment.

Contact the International Admissions team for more information.

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for a course?

Domestic students
Check the entry requirements for the course you’re interested in and submit an online application.

How to apply

If you have any difficulty, please contact a Future Student Advisor, who can talk you through the process.

International students

You can apply to Think Education through one of our Education Agents. Our agents are located throughout the world and will make sure the enrolment process runs smoothly. You can also apply online.

View the full list of Education Agents

For anything else, please contact our International recruitment team at study@torrens.edu.au.
Where can I study?

If you are looking to study our Diploma of Nursing, you can study in Sydney at our Surry Hills campus; in Melbourne at our Flinders Street campus; in Brisbane at our Gotha Street campus; and in Adelaide at our Wakefield Street campus.

View our campuses
What scholarships do you offer and how do I apply?

As well as Health scholarships, we offer a wide range of scholarships for domestic and international students, including Industry and Indigenous scholarships.

Domestic students

When you speak to one of our Future Student Advisors, let them know you wish to be considered for a scholarship in your application form. They will show you how to apply for a scholarship.

International students

Please contact your education agent for further information, email us or call 1300 575 803. Visit our Scholarships page for more details on applying.

View our range of Scholarships
What do part-time and full-time study entail?

A standard full-time study load is made up of three subjects (approximately 30 hours a week). Part-time study is made up of two subjects (approximately 20 hours per week).

What are the payment options? What are FEE-HELP and VET Student Loan (VSL)? Am I eligible?
Payment options available include:

Upfront payment via Flywire, credit card, BPAY or overseas bank account transfer.

You can also apply for a payment plan if you are a domestic student.

Financial assistance

If you’re a domestic student and looking to study our Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Myotherapy), you may be eligible for FEE-HELP.

If you’re a domestic student and looking to study our, Diploma of Nursing you may be eligible for VET Student Loan.

Your eligibility for FEE-HELP and VET Student Loan depends on criteria such as your citizenship status, and whether you’re looking to study a undergraduate, postgraduate of vocational education program.

Check your eligibility on the Australian Government’s Study Assist website.

View tuition fees
What are Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT)? How do I apply?

Recognition of Prior Learning is an assessment process that recognises experience, previous study and qualifications, and other forms of informal and non-formal learning, to determine if you meet course requirements.

If you have relevant qualifications or experience, eligible for credit towards your course and a reduction in tuition costs.

Please speak to one of our Future Student Advisor to advise them on the experience or previous study you have.

View Course Credits
What is blended study?

Blended study is a mix of in-person and online learning.
What is Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP)?

The Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) is a government initiative that provides financial support to eligible domestic students undertaking mandatory placements as part of their Vocational Educational and Training (VET) course. It’s designed to ease financial stress during practical training.

Learn more: https://www.yourcareer.gov.au/commonwealth-prac-payment-vet

View all FAQs

HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing

What is a HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing?

Learning outcomes and Work-Integrated Learning

ACN member

ANMAC accredited

APNA member

CATSINaM member

CDNM member

Career opportunities

Potential career paths

Subjects and units

Requirements

Requirements

Industry partners and Work‑Integrated Learning

Work-Integrated Learning Hours

Entry details

Fees

VET Student Loans (VSL)

Scholarships

Admission criteria

Fee payment

Fees

Scholarships

Admission criteria

Frequently asked questions

Want to find out more?

Study

Students

Employability

Think Education

Study

Students

Employability

Think Education

HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing

What is a HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing?

Learning outcomes and Work-Integrated Learning

ACN member

ANMAC accredited

APNA member

CATSINaM member

CDNM member

Career opportunities

Potential career paths

Subjects and units

Requirements

Requirements

Industry partners and Work‑Integrated Learning

Work-Integrated Learning Hours

Entry details

Fees

VET Student Loans (VSL)

Scholarships

Admission criteria

Fee payment

Fees

Scholarships

Admission criteria

Get started

Apply

Offer

Frequently asked questions

Want to find out more?

Study

Students

Employability

Think Education