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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January 20, 2025
March 03, 2025
May 05, 2025
July 07, 2025
September 01, 2025
November 03, 2025
January 12, 2026
March 02, 2026

Number of Semesters

AQF Level

Mode of Delivery

Blended and Face to Face

Course Duration

18 Months

Course Fee^*

2024: $9,000

2025: $10,000^#

^*Fee per semester

^#Subject to approval from regulatory body

Professional Experience Placement (PEP)

400 Hours

Delivery Locations

Melbourne | Sydney | Perth | Brisbane^*

(^*Starting in Brisbane in 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

Check this course currency on the National Register of VET

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 Details

About Online Learning

Course Handbook

View Brochure

Brochure for WA Funding Students

Course Overview

The Diploma of Nursing prepares individuals to become Enrolled Nurses, providing essential nursing care across various healthcare settings. This course covers areas such as patient care, administering medications, and supporting the health and well-being of patients. Graduates can apply for registration as an Enrolled Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and can work in hospitals, aged care facilities, and other healthcare environments.

Why IHNA?

Reputation for Excellence: IHNA is a leading provider of healthcare education, known for its strong emphasis on high-quality training and practical, industryrelevant skills. It is recognised for delivering competency-based learning aligned with the latest healthcare trends.

State-of-the-Art Facilities: IHNA’s campuses are equipped with cutting-edge simulation labs and modern training facilities, providing students with hands-on experience in environments that mirror real healthcare settings. These facilities enhance the learning experience by fostering practical skills in a controlled and supportive environment.

Flexible Learning Options: With blended delivery modes, IHNA allows students to balance their studies with personal and professional commitments. The combination of online learning and hands-on practical training helps to ensure students can learn at their own pace.

Comprehensive Student Support: : IHNA offers dedicated student support services, including 24/7 access to online resources, personalised guidance, and career support, helping students to navigate their academic journey and transition smoothly into the workforce.

Industry Connections: IHNA’s strong ties with industry leaders provide students with networking opportunities and exposure to real-world healthcare environments, enhancing job readiness upon graduation.

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

Course Structure

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

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

IHNA Admission Requirements

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

Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital(LLND)

All IHNA students must complete the Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital (LLND) assessment to ensure that students meet the necessary requirements for successfully undertaking the course. IHNA administers the LLND test to evaluate each student’s suitability.

Professional Experience Placement (PEP) Requirements

A clear and satisfactory National Police Clearance (NCC) or Australian Federal Police (AFP) Clearance certificate.
Required immunisation.
Working with Children Check (WWCC).
A valid NDIS Worker Screening Check.
Students must declare a disability or disorder (if any), or if they are on any medication which may require reasonable adjustments.

Note:Where a student breaches the above requirements, they could be excluded from their practical placements which may result in unsuccessful completion of the course. IHNA will not be responsible for any such exclusion.

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.

Articulation Pathways

Graduates who successfully complete the Diploma of Nursing program may enroll into further vocational education in specialised areas of practice or higher education programs and progress to higher learning opportunities. IHNA has articulation agreements with universities for students to pursue higher education.

Delivery Locations

Melbourne Campus

Perth Campus

Sydney Campus

Brisbane Campus

Campus Tour Video

Professional Experience Placement (PEP)

Professional Experience Placement (PEP) is an essential component of most of the units of this course. Students will commence the PEP upon completion of theory assessments and OSCA. During the PEP, students will apply the required essential knowledge and skills to demonstrate competency for each unit of this qualification. Students are to complete a total of 400 hours of PEP, which will be held in three stages:

120 hours in the aged-care setting (at the end of the first semester)
120 hours in the sub-acute setting (at the end of the second semester)
160 hours in the acute care setting (at the end of the final semester)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer

The program provides students with the opportunity to apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL). Evidence is collected using IHNA’s RPL toolkit in line with the RPL Policy and Procedure. Students may be eligible for RPL for any formal, informal and nonformal learning they have undertaken.

Credit transfer for this program, in line with ASQA directions, will only be awarded if the unit code and name are the same.

Flexibility

At IHNA, we strive to provide our students with flexible learning opportunities to assist you to balance their personal, work and life needs

Flexible blended classes

Suitable for working students and students living in the regional area who want to study online live theory class and attend simulation blocks each semester at campus.

Flexible blended on-campus classes

Students who want to attend two days of on-campus classes and the rest online supported learning can do so.

Digital library

All of our students benefit from flexible online learning through IHNA’s digital library, which contains thousands of e-books, nursing journals, and articles.

Practice will help you learn better

Access our cutting-edge simulation labs at each campus at your leisure from 8.30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily to learn by doing

Resources and Tools

IHNA also provides the best resources and tools such as recorded lectures and seminars and forums which are available for students to access in their own time.

Learning Environment

IHNA makes every effort to provide our students with the best learning opportunities through state of the art learning platforms and experiences

The ACELMS is a fantastic resource for online learning
Our teachers all have current clinical experience working in healthcare organisations
IHNA uses Microsoft Teams to collaborate and communicate more effectively with your teachers and classmate and for students to work with others on a project
Guest lectures from industry will provide students with first-hand case studies and insights about the work environment
All our campuses are equipped with a state-of-the-art simulation laboratories
Access to the most up-to-date technologies, such as virtual simulation using HoloLens.

Possible Career Outcomes

Graduates of the Diploma of Nursing program have the opportunity to explore a range of career paths in various environments such as hospitals, mental health facilities, aged care facilities, rehabilitation centres, general practitioner clinics or community healthcare settings.

Upon successful registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) as an enrolled nurse you may gain employment in various healthcare facilities, which may include:

Medical centres
Training resource centres
Open employment services
Other community settings and clients’ homes

Palliative Care
Hospitals- private and public
Day respite centres

Rehabilitation centres
Residential group homes
Aged Care

Fees and Funding

2024

Fee per semester: $9,000

Total Tuition Fee: $27,000

2025

Fee per semester: $10,000

Total Tuition Fee: $30,000

(Subject to approval from regulatory body)

VET Student Loan – $18,837 cap ($6,279 per unit of study/semester)

This is a loan from the Australian Government that provides eligible students access to capped funds to help pay for their studies. If you’re eligible for VET Student Loans you can defer a portion of your tuition fees to VET Student Loans and then pay the remaining fees upfront or on a payment plan.

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, recent surge in cyber scams!

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.