Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for the HLT54115 Diploma of Nursing course at Open Colleges School of Health are as follows. 

You will need to:

• Be 18 years of age or over;
• Be an Australian Citizen or have a permanent humanitarian visa or certain temporary visas with study rights;
• Complete an online test to assess your Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills against the standard levels of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF);
• Meet at least one of the following academic suitability requirements:
  1. Completed Year 12 in Australia (Year 12 Certificate required)
  2. Successfully completed an Australian Qualifications Framework Certificate IV or higher qualification, taught and assessed in English (formal documentation required)
  3. Achieve a minimum Exit Level 3 in each of Numeracy and Reading in the Core Skills Profile for Adults (CSPA) (formal test report required);
• Meet at least one of the English language standards listed below prior to enrolment:
  1. Completed at least six (6) years primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in any of the recognised countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America), including at least two (2) years between years 7 and 12
  2. Completed at least four (4) years (full time equivalent) of education taught and assessed in English in any of the recognised countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America), in any combination of secondary and/or vocational and/or tertiary education
  3. Completed one of the following English language proficiency tests and met the requirements for test results as follows:
  • IELTS (Academic module) test and achieved a result of 7.0 overall and 7.0 in each component from one test sitting; or a maximum of two (2) test sittings in a six month period only if you achieve a minimum overall score of 7.0 in each sitting and you achieve a minimum score of 7.0 in each component across the two sittings with no score in any component of the test being below 6.5
  • OET Online test and achieved a result of B overall and B in each of the four components from one test sitting; or a maximum of two (2) test sittings in any six month period only if you are testing in all four components in each sitting and achieve a minimum score of B in each component across the two sittings and no score in any component of the test is below C
  • PTE Academic test and achieved a result of 65 overall and 65 in each of the 4 components in one test sitting; or a maximum of two (2) test sittings in any six month period only if a minimum overall score of 65 is achieved in each sitting and you achieve a minimum score of 65 in each of the communicative skills across the two sittings with no score in any of the communicative skills being below 58
  • TOEFL iBT test and achieved a result of 94 overall and 24 in listening, 24 in reading, 27 in writing and 23 in speaking from one test sitting; or a maximum of two (2) test sittings in any six month period only if a minimum total score of 94 is achieved in each sitting and you achieve a minimum score of 24 in listening, 24 in reading, 27 in writing and 23 in speaking across the two sittings and the score is not below 20 for listening, 19 for reading, 24 for writing and 20 for speaking in either of the tests.

Click here for more information about the required English language standards.

Download a copy of our Course Guide for further information about our Entry Requirements.

Clinical Placements

As part of this Diploma you will be required to complete at least three Professional Experience Placements totalling 456 hours (12 weeks) in a variety of settings.

The placements will give you the opportunity to develop your clinical skills in a real-world setting, and to gain valuable on-the-job experience.  Placements are arranged, fully facilitated and supported by Open Colleges School of Health.

Please note that placements are full-time, unpaid and rostered according to standard industry shifts, which may include night shifts, weekends and/or public holidays. 

Prior to placement you will need to provide evidence of meeting all of the following pre-requisites:

• A clear and unencumbered Criminal History check
• A current immunisation record with evidence of up to date vaccinations and/or immunity as per the Australian Government Department of Health’s recommended vaccinations for Healthcare workers and any State Government Health Department requirements
• A current First Aid Certificate (HLTAID003)
• A current Manual Handling Certificate (part of the Diploma)
• Completion of any relevant electronic health records system training (part of the Diploma).

Download a copy of our Course Guide for further information about Professional Experience Placements including pre-requisites.