Diploma of Nursing

Mater Education wants everyone enrolled in the program to have the best opportunity to succeed at their study. Our dynamic program is delivered in a way that caters to all learning styles, and our selection process is designed to set our students up for success.

Before applying, please ensure you have thoroughly read and understood the entry requirements in the tab above. Mater Education will only enrol students who meet these.

1. Apply online

To apply, you will need to complete an online application form, highlighting:

• Your motivation to pursue a career in nursing
• Why you think the Mater Education program would suit you
• How you plan to balance your life, work and full-time study commitments
• Your education history and work (including volunteer) experience

Applicants who successfully address these requirements will progress to the next stage.

2. Demonstrate competence in reading and numeracy

To advance to the selection stage, applicants must complete the Safe Work Resources VFH LLN Assessment Tool online tests for reading and numeracy. A competence at or above Exit Level 3 of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) is required for both reading and numeracy.

Students will be advised as soon as practicable after assessment of the outcome of their test and that information will be provided to the Secretary, Department of Education and Training in the form, manner and by the time requested by the Secretary.

3. Attend interview and written assessment

Successful applicants will then be invited to participate in an interview and written assessment. 

Mater Education ensures all potential students are treated fairly and equally in this process.

Nurses need to be responsible, practical, physically fit and mentally alert. That doesn’t mean that you need to run marathons, but you do need to be able to carry out all the physical activities associated with nursing to complete the course.

This process allows us to take into account the different ways these attributes can be demonstrated and indicate a student’s potential to succeed in the course.

If you are offered a place:

Certificates and permits

• Criminal History Check
  Criminal history check checks are to be obtained at the start of term two, semester one.

• Blue Card
  A Blue Card may be required to complete workplace experience placement in child related areas of practice. If required, you will need to obtain a Blue Card. This is free for students and can be discussed at the interview stage.

• NDIS Worker Screening Check
  Apply for a NDIS Worker Screening Check on commencement. 

• AHPRA Registration and Eligibility Criteria (see "Entry requirements")
  All students enrolled in an approved nursing course of study must be registered with AHPRA for the duration of study or until they are no longer enrolled.  Mater Education will register enrolled students with AHPRA and then advise them when the student is no longer studying. You’ll need to consider AHPRAs registration requirements before you apply:

  • Application for general registration as a nurse or midwife for students completing an approved program of study: ASGR-40
  • Supporting Documentation for Graduate Applications
  • AHPRA's Criminal History Standard
  • NMBA's English Language Skills Registration Standard

Successful completion of Mater Education's Diploma of Nursing program does not guarantee registration as an Enrolled Nurse with AHPRA. Graduates must also meet AHPRA's Enrolled Nurse Registration Standards.

Upon application for registration with AHPRA, graduates must provide results of a formal English language skills test (as required by NMBA). Mater Education will only enrol students who meet the eligibility requirements of the English language skills registration standard as required by the NMBA.

If you have any questions about enrolled nurse registration, or would like more information, use AHPRA's Online Enquiry Form or call them on 1300 419 495.

Transitioning students

We understand how a change in circumstances can mean looking for other ways to complete your studies.

If you’ve previously been enrolled in a Diploma of Nursing program at another Registered Training Organisation, and wish to transition into Mater Education's program, please contact us on 1300 070 350.

In addition to the selection and application process outlined above, you’ll also need to submit:

• an academic transcript from your current/previous provider showing your completed units of competency
• evidence of workplace experience placement.

If you don’t have your academic transcript yet, you’ll need to provide that evidence before your enrolment can be accepted.

Not all Diploma of Nursing programs are delivered the same way. Our Faculty will review your documentation to determine your eligibility for entry into our program. You may be asked to undertake some gap training, which may attract additional fees.

Fee-free TAFE

Fee-free TAFE initiative - $0

The Queensland Government's Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training has approved Mater Education as a provider of Fee-Free TAFE, an initiative of the Australian and Queensland Governments.

Eligibility criteria apply and study-related costs such as uniforms and resources are not covered under the funding arrangement. Places are limited, please speak with us to find out more.

Full fee paying students - $24 500

Government funding

Eligible students will be able to apply for Higher Level Skills funding (funded by the Queensland Government) and/or a VET Student Loan (see below for eligibility and details). VET student loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements. Payment plans are available for full fee-paying students (students not receiving Queensland Government funding) or a VET Student Loan.

Higher Level Skills Funding

Higher Level Skills provides a government subsidy to eligible Queenslanders with the aim to assist individuals gain the higher level skills required to secure employment or career advancement in a priority industry, or to transition to university. To be eligible for the Higher Level Skills funded by the Queensland Government you must meet eligibility criteria.

2024 Higher Level Skills Subsidy Non-Concessional Students: $14 749

Subsidised student co-contribution: $300—Where students are eligible for a VET Student Loan and are also eligible for the Higher Level Skills funding, students must make a co-contribution of $300.

Higher Level Skills funding eligibility criteria

1. prospective students must not have, or be enrolled in, a certificate IV or higher-level qualification, not including qualifications completed at school and foundations skills training
2. be 15 years or older
3. have completed or left secondary school
4. be an Australian citizen or permanent resident residing in Queensland, or New Zealand citizen permanently residing in Queensland (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency.

2024 Higher Level Skills Subsidy Concessional Students: $12 659

Concession student co-contribution: $150—Where students are eligible for a VET Student Loan and are also eligible for the Higher Level Skills funding, students must make a co-contribution of $150.

Higher Level Skills Subsidy eligibility criteria

Students may be entitled to the concession fee if they are meet eligibility requirements for subsidised training, and:

1. are listed on an Australian Government Low Income Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card,
2. are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander,
3. hold a Department of Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card, or
4. have a disability.
   
   

For more information on Commonwealth Loans or Queensland Government funding, visit:

• Study Assist website 
• Information for VET Student Loans Students 
  • VET student loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements.  
  • A VET student loan gives rise to a VETSL debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid.
  • A VET Student Loans Eligibility Tool and VET Student Loans Calculator can be used to check likelihood of meeting the eligibility requirements and help you understand your debt. 

• Queensland Government—Higher Level Skills Student Fact Sheet

Students will no longer be eligible for a government subsidised training place under the Higher Level Skills program once they have completed one certificate IV level or higher qualification (see Higher Level Skills FAQs).

Tertiary Access Payment

Students may also be able to access Tertiary Access Payment, a payment to help with the cost of moving from regional or remote areas for tertiary study. To find out more, visit the Services Australia website.

Schedule of fees

• April 2023 fee schedule
• July 2023 fee schedule
• October 2023 fee schedule
• January 2024 fee schedule
• April 2024 fee schedule
• July 2024 fee schedule
• October 2024 fee schedule
• January 2025 fee schedule

Additional costs

As part of your enrolment, you will be required, or may need to buy:

• Mater Education Uniform shirt (approximately $60 - $80 per shirt)
• Closed-in black shoes
• Black business pants or knee-length black skirt (preferably with pockets)
• Criminal history check 'Fit2Work' (approx. $29 each) as required for each work experience placement
• Nursing fob watch (approx. $80)
• First Aid and CPR certification, if void or expires whist studying (approx. $100)
• Any additional vaccinations you may require
• Laptop or portable device with internet access.

Note: Mandatory textbooks or online text resources will be provided. 

Refund policies

• Refund policies
• Re-Crediting HELP Balances Policy

Study load: Full time

Program duration: 18 months, across three semesters

Delivery:  

• On-campus learning, including face-to-face educator support, learning support sessions and simulation practice
• Online sessions, including classes, tutorials and training 
• Students will undertake a total of 400 hours workplace experience placement:
  • Semester 1: 120 hours
  • Semester 2: 120 hours
  • Semester 3: 160 hours
  • Placement is aligned to the timetable to the best of our ability, time and dates may change due to availability of the placement providers. 
• Self-directed learning at home 
• Additional on-campus sessions are available to students seeking further learning support 

Class timetables
View the indicative timetables for Semester One students commencing study in:

• January 2025 - Brisbane, Springfield and Townsville
• October 2024 - Brisbane and Springfield
• July 2024 - Brisbane, Springfield and Townsville
• April 2024 - Brisbane
• January 2024 - Brisbane and Townsville
• October 2023 - Brisbane
• July 2023 - Brisbane and Townsville
• April 2023 - Brisbane
• January 2023 - Brisbane and Townsville

All students must hold or obtain HLTAID011 Provide first aid by the beginning of term two, semester one. All enrolled students with HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation component current for the duration of the program.

HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing is comprised of 20 core units and five (5) elective units:

Core units

Semester 1:

HLTAAP002 Confirm physical health status
 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.

HLTAAP003 Analyse and respond to client health information
 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.

HLTINF006 - Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply basic infection prevention and control principles in work settings including implementing standard and transmission-based precautions and responding to risks.

HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care
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

CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
 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.

HLTENN037 Perform clinical assessment and contribute to planning nursing care
 This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, 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 an individualised health plan of care.

HLTENN038 Implement, monitor and evaluate nursing care plans
 This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to implement nursing care as outlined in a person’s nursing care plan, evaluate outcomes of care provided, record and report progress, and respond to emergency situations.

HLTENN036 Apply communication skills in nursing practice
 This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively with people, families and carers, and with other health care professionals, in health care settings.

HLTENN045 Implement and monitor care of the older person
 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.

HLTENN041 Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice
 This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to work within legal and ethical parameters in professional nursing practice, including supporting rights and meeting duty of care requirements.

Semester 2:

HLTENN035 Practise nursing within the Australian health care system
 This unit describes the performance outcomes, 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 health and community care services and environments.

CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
 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.

HLTENN040 Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy
 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. 

HLTENN043 Implement and monitor care for a person with acute health conditions
 This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to meet the assessed health care needs of people with acute health conditions.

HLTENN044 Implement and monitor care for a person with chronic health conditions
 This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to meet the assessed health care needs of people with chronic health conditions.

Semester 3:

CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
 This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to evaluate and enhance own practice through a process of reflection and ongoing professional development.

HLTENN047 Apply nursing practice in the primary health care setting
 This unit describes the performance outcomes, 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 the spirit of self-reliance and self-determination.

HLTENN039 Apply principles of wound management 
 This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply contemporary wound management principles to the care of persons with various types of wounds. It involves working with the registered nurse within the multidisciplinary health care team to contribute to the assessment, treatment and ongoing management of wounds.

HLTENN068 Provide end of life care and a palliative approach in nursing practice
 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.

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

Compulsory elective units

All students need to complete the following two compulsory elective units:

HLTENN057 Contribute to the nursing care of a person with diabetes
 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.

CHCPOL003 Research and apply evidence to practice
 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.

Elective units (subject to availability)

Students can choose three electives from the following areas:

CHCCCS027 Visit client residence (not available at Townsville campus)
 This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to make visits to clients to assess needs and/or deliver services in their place of residence. This unit applies to workers who are required to deliver services to people in their home or in any temporary or permanent community residence. Work may be directed under regular (direct, indirect or remote) supervision.

HLTENN046 Contribute to maternal and infant health care
 This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide care to mother and newborn infant in postnatal, neonatal, child and family health care and paediatric health care settings.

HLTWHS006 Manage personal stressors in the work environment
 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. 

BSBPEF402 Develop personal work priorities
 This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to monitor and obtain feedback on own work performance and access learning opportunities for professional development.

 
Note:

• While we endeavour to accommodate students’ elective preferences, we cannot guarantee that students will receive their first preference, due to the demand and availability of some electives.
• Days of commitment may change each semester.
• Electives are subject to review and may change. Any changes will be communicated to students.

Mater Education's Diploma of Nursing program aims to develop your ability to assess, plan, implement, evaluate and apply critical-thinking skills. You’ll then apply these to provide quality patient-centred nursing care for patients/clients with varying healthcare requirements as a beginner-level enrolled nurse.

The curriculum integrates all core competencies of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Enrolled Nurse Standards for Practice. The program ensures the central focus is on enrolled nursing practice and providing competent, safe, patient-centred care.

Objectives/outcomes

The major goal of Mater Education’s Diploma of Nursing Program is to have each student demonstrate a satisfactory level of knowledge, skills, attitude, communication and safety in all units of competency. As a graduate you will be expected to be clinically competent and ready to function as beginning enrolled nurses based on the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Enrolled Nurse Standards for Practice. 

Learning philosophy

Mater Education recognises that adult students are individuals, and so adopts a learner-centred focus using a variety of teaching methods to meet their learning needs. These include:

• problem-based learning tutorials (PBL)
• lectures
• online learning modules
• videos
• simulation
• high-quality workplace experience placements.

The diagram shows how our evidence-based curriculum supports the students’ transition, both educationally and clinically. Our blended delivery methods promote critical thinking and support professional, multidisciplinary communication. What follows is a smooth transition from the learner-centred educational focus to the patient-centred care delivery through simulation and workplace experience placement.

Conceptual framework

Mater Education's Diploma of Nursing program’s conceptual framework is centred on the enrolled nursing professional and eight themes that support professional practice. An emphasis on knowledge, skills, attitudes, and professional and ethical practice as essential elements for enrolled nursing practice binds these themes together. The themes incorporate the three domains of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) Enrolled Nursing Standards for Practice:

• professional and collaborative practice,
• provision of care, and
• reflective and analytical practice.

By emphasising knowledge (capabilities), skills, attitudes, and professional and ethical practice as essential elements for enrolled nursing practice, these themes are bound together.

The focus and themes of the conceptual framework align with Mater's teaching and learning strategy, which is based on a robust and systematic approach to transforming work-based cultures to deliver safe, high-quality patient care.

The conceptual framework guides faculty, students, advisors, and academic staff in designing and implementing any component of the Diploma of Nursing curriculum, including student and program evaluation.

Mater puts the patient at the centre of everything we do and provides an environment receptive to their perceptions of their care. The Mater Education curriculum has been designed to incorporate all of the above, based on this conceptual framework.

Eligible students may be able to apply for funding assistance via the Commonwealth Government's VET Student Loan scheme.

To be eligible for a VET Student Loan, students must meet the following citizenship and residency requirements:

You must be:
(a) an Australian citizen; or
(b) the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa who is usually resident in Australia; or
(c) a qualifying New Zealand citizen.

A qualifying New Zealand citizen is a New Zealand citizen who:
(a) holds a special category visa; and
(b) has been usually resident in Australia for at least 10 years; and
(c) was a dependent child when he or she was first usually resident in Australia; and
(d) has been in Australia for periods totalling 8 years during the previous 10 years; and
(e) has been in Australia for periods totalling 18 months during the previous 2 years.

You must also have been assessed as academically suited to undertake the course by Mater Education as part of the enrolment process.

To apply for a VET Student Loan you will need to:

• provide information about your identity and date of birth,
• provide your tax file number or a certificate from the Commissioner that you have applied for a tax file number,
• if you are under 18 years of age, one of the signatories to the application is a responsible parent;
• or, if on the basis that you are you are independent, provide information that you have received youth allowance (within the meaning of the Social Security Act 1991).

Students must submit an electronic Assistance Form (eCAF) to access the VET Student Loans program. Students must submit their eCAFs by 11:59 pm AEST on the first census day for which they wish to access a loan.  Students are also required to complete a Progression Form issued by Mater Education in the eCAF system.  Students will be required to indicate that they are continuing to be a genuine student by submitting a progression eCAF at four-month intervals.  Completion of progressions by students is directly connected to their VET Student Loan eligibility. Where a student fails to complete two consecutive progressions their access to a VET Student Loan will be impacted.

For more information about the new VET Student Loans, see the Department of Education and Training website (dese.gov.au/vet-student-loans) and Study Assist (studyassist.gov.au).

VET Student Loan is a debt and will need to be repaid.

Note: VET Student Loan scheme has been effective since 1 January 2017, replacing the VET FEE-HELP scheme.

Withdrawal from a program

Students who have enrolled in a program of study are requiring to contact Student Services to advise their intention to withdraw from the program. 

Where students have been provided with uniforms, identification cards, and/or loan equipment or books these items must be returned to Mater Education. 

Mater Education reserves the right to charge a student withdrawing from a course a fee for any item not returned.

Students will not receive acknowledgement of their study e.g. statement of attainment unless all fees have been paid in full and all Mater resources provided to the student e.g. uniforms or text books are returned in good order.

Mater Education Limited (MEL) will repay to any MEL student who is, or would be, enrolled in a VET unit of study, any upfront payment of VET tuition fees if the student withdraws from that unit of study on or before the relevant census date. 

Students who have requested VET Student Loan assistance who remain enrolled after the published census date will incur a VET Student Loan debt. Where a student withdraws from a VET unit of study after the relevant census date and is seeking a refund, please refer to Mater Education's Refund of Tuition Fees after the Census Day procedure and Re-Crediting HELP Balances Policy in the 'Cost' section above.

Cancellation of enrolment

Mater Education can cancel a student’s enrolment where:

• Tuition fees remain outstanding after the student has been suspended for 28 days.
• a student has withdrawn from the course and has outstanding fees.
• a student, with outstanding fees, in the middle of a semester or in the final semester of studies haven’t responded to the 3 reminders to pay outstanding fees.
• a student has outstanding fees from a completed semester and hasn’t responded to 3 reminders
• there are ongoing behavioural concerns
• non–achievement of learning plans
• in the event that a student enrols on the basis that some or all of the VET tuition fees will be covered by a VET Student Loan, if the student does not submit an eCAF (including eCAF progressions) on or before the census day (or is not approved for a VET Student Loan) and does not voluntarily pay for the part of the course upfront. 

For the purposes of VET Student Loans, cancellation of a student’s enrolment which occurs after a census day provides for the student to have at least 28 days to initiate grievance procedures before the cancellation takes final effect.

Students can access the Complaints and Appeals procedure on our website to initiate an appeal against a decision to cancel enrolment.