Frequently Asked Questions

How do I request an extension where I have not been able to complete an assignment in the required timeframe?
You must have a legitimate reason to request an extension and extensions are not always granted. If you need to ask for an extension contact your Educator as soon as you become aware that an extension to the submission date is required.

How do I withdraw from the course?
Students who wish to withdraw from their course are encouraged to contact the Educator or Student Services. You will be required to complete and submit a withdrawal form. If you have a VET Student Loan you will incur a debt that will need to be repaid to the Government if you withdraw after the census date.

Who do I notify if I am sick or can’t attend class?
If you are not able to attend class for any reason it is important to email your Educator.

Is there a photocopier on site I can access?
Yes you can access a photocopier at both our South Brisbane and Townsville campuses  in the computer labs.

Completed Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications may be used for tertiary selection in two ways:

• as one of the five inputs into a student’s ATAR; and/or

• as a stand-alone basis for tertiary admission

How will VET qualification be included in the ATAR?
Each VET qualification level will have a single scaled score that can be included in the ATAR calculation. For more information about ATAR eligibility and what inputs can be included in the ATAR calculation, please refer to the QTAC website.

Relevant VET qualification levels for the ATAR are Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma.

How many Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) credit points are earned? 
Successful completion of a Certificate II course provides 4 credit points towards a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).
Successful completetion of a Certificate III course provides and additional 4 credit points towards a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).

Why does Mater Education want to collect data about me?
All Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) are required by law to collect and submit comprehensive data on their delivery of Nationally Recognised Training. We are obliged to make every effort to collect data compliant with AVETMISS for the National VET Provider Collection from all students and report that data. If we fail to do this it is a breach of our conditions of registration as an RTO.

To find out the purposes for which your information may be collected, used or disclosed click here.

All courses

Can I receive credit for my previous studies?
Mater Education offers academic credit to students who have successfully completed the same unit of competency with other Nationally Recognised Registered Training Organisation.

What do I wear on Orientation Day?
Please wear smart casual clothing in line with our dress code. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes that you can walk around in as parts of the day involves walking around the campus. BYO lunch and water bottle. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.

How do I order my uniforms?
Once you have accepted your offer you will be able to order your uniform on line with our supplier.  The details will be sent to you via email and are also available on the student portal accessible once you have commenced at Mater Education.

Diploma of Nursing

Do you offer university pathways?
Mater Education has partnership with Universities that enable Graduates to enrol at University via direct entry pathways.  Please note these spots are limited and all other university entry requirements must be meet.  For more information contact student services.

How much credit will my Diploma of Nursing course give me towards a University Degree
The amount of credit will vary between Universities but most will offer 80 credit points towards a Bachelor of Nursing Degree.

What are the English language entry requirements for Diploma of Nursing?
To register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as an Enrolled Nurse, you must meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)'s English language skills registration standard requirements at the time of your enrolment. Mater Education will only enrol students into the Diploma of Nursing program who meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s English Language Standards. 

I can’t access my VLE account. What should I do?
You will receive instructions at Orientation on how to access your online learning. Please seek assistance from the Student Services team if you have difficulty logging in.

How do I reset my password?
Follow the prompts on the Students portal log in screen. If you require further assistance contact student services.

Who do I contact about finance/Invoice Questions?
If you require information regarding invoices or fees please contact Student Services at materstudentservices@mater.org.au

What are my payment options?
 All payment options are listed on the bottom of your invoice:

• B Pay

• Cheque money order

• Credit card

Please see your latest invoice for further information.

How do I request a fee statement?
To request a fee statement please contact student services at materstudentservices@mater.org.au

Do you have payment plans?
Mater Education can assist students to pay their fees by offering payment plans which are negotiated between the student and Student Services. Non-payment of fees may result in the student being removed from the course.

I need a letter for Centrelink
You will receive a letter via email on Orientation day on request – we cannot provide you with this  prior to attending Orientation day.

I have been issued a Concession card – can I now get concession rates for my fees?
Once you are enrolled you cannot change your concession status. The status applies as of the time of enrolment and applies to your entire enrolment in the course. Please note that a concession status only applies if you are also eligible for the Queensland Government VET Investment funding subsidy.

I have changed my personal details, how do I update this?
Please compete the Change of Personal Details form and provide to the Student Services team at materstudentservices@mater.org.au. If you are changing your name you will need to provide a certified copy of your change document e.g. a marriage certificate.
You must also notify the Australian Taxation Office (if you are accessing a VET Student Loan) and update your unique student identifier (usi.gov.au).

I have got an overseas qualification. Am I still eligible for the Subsidised training?
If a student holds an overseas qualification that has been recognised by an Australian professional body or other organisation as meeting the registration or licensing requirements for a specific occupation then the student would be deemed not eligible to access the Certificate 3 Guarantee or High Level Skills funding.
If student holds an overseas qualification that does not meet the Australian Qualification Framework standards, the student may be eligible to access a Certificate 3 Guarantee or High Level Skills funding equivalent qualification or undertake study in a different area, if considering a change in career.

I have deferred my course at university. Am I eligible for the subsidised training?
Students who have deferred from university are still enrolled at university and are therefore NOT eligible.

Are there any concession rates under the subsidised training?
The following students are entitled to concessions:

• Students (or their partner or guardian) who hold a Health care or Pensioner Concession Card:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students:

• School Students enrolled in VETIS program;

• Students with a disability: or

• Students who are adult prisoners

I have a concession card. Am I eligible for subsidised training?
Concession card is considered once you satisfy other eligibility criteria for the subsidised funding. Please refer to the all Eligibility criteria for the Subsidised training on Certificate 3 Guarantee /High Level Skills Student fact sheet on the Department of Employment, small Business and Training website or our Student Services team for details.

When is the proof of concession required to be submitted?
You must provide the proof of concession card to the Student Services team prior to enrolment. The concession card must be valid at the time of enrolment. Expired cards are not accepted.

Why is there a difference in contribution fee for concession and non-concession students?
The Queensland Government pays a higher level of subsidy for qualification undertaken by concessional students.

Am I required to complete a survey if I have accessed subsidised funding?
The Queensland Government requires you (because you have accepted funding from them) to complete a training and employment survey within three (3) months of completing or discontinuing subsidised training.

Can I apply for Credit Transfer for the unit(s) of competency completed with other training provider?
Mater Education recognises units of competency, qualifications and statements of attainment completed with other Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in Australia. To apply for Credit Transfer, you will need to submit CT/ RPL application available on our website.

Is VET Student Loan different than VETSL debt?
No, VET student loan is now called VET Student Loan debt which is abbreviated as VETSL debt.

How do I apply for the VET Student Loan debt (VETSL debt)?
To apply for a VET Student Loan debt you must complete the Request for a VET Student Loan electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) before the first census date. Mater Education strongly recommends that you read the VET Student Loans Information Booklet on the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business BEFORE submitting the ’Request for Vet Student Loan eCAF’.

Can I print the eCAF and submit it?
You cannot print the eCAF, it must be submitted electronically.

When I submit eCAF do I get the confirmation that my VET Student Loan has been approved?
Once you submit your eCAF, you will receive an email confirming your loan approval and providing you with a copy of your completed form. You should keep this form for your records.

I am eligible for state funding. Do I still need to apply for VET Student Loan?
State funding and VET Student Loans are entirely different.  You still have to apply for VET Student Loan debt (VETSL debt)  even if you are subsidised.

How do I check if I am eligible for the VET Student Loan debt?
To be eligible to for VETSL debt you must;

• meet the citizenship and residency requirements:

• be an Australian citizen or

• a qualifying New Zealand citizen (Special Category Visa Holder) or

• a permanent humanitarian visa holder, who is usually resident in Australia.

If you are unsure, please check with our Student Services  team.
For more details refer to VET Student Loans Information booklet, on Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, website.

I don’t have a Tax File Number (TFN). Do I need to apply TFN to get access to VET Student Loans debt?
You must have a valid TFN by the first census date. If you don’t have a TFN, you can obtain a Certificate of application for a TFN. This certificate is available from the ATO after you have applied for a TFN. If you get a Certificate of application for a TFN, you are required to upload it to your eCAF before you submit. You may also provide (by uploading) a copy of the online application summary and barcode receipt issued by Australia Post.

I am under 18, how do I apply for VET Student Loan debt?
If you are under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must complete and sign a parental consent form. The completed parental consent form must be given to Mater Education before you can be issued with an eCAF application form.

I am not sure if I want to access the VET Student Loan debt.  Should I wait until the CENSUS date?
If you do not complete the eCAF by the CENSUS date of semester one, you will have to wait until the next semester to request a VET Student Loan debt for future study and pay the fees out of your own pocket for the semester.

What is the CENSUS day?
The census day for a course, or a part of a course (eg unit), is the last day you can:
• complete the eCAF to apply for a VET Student Loan for your course, or
• withdraw your enrolment without incurring a debt for the course or part of the course.

What happens if the CENSUS day has already passed?
You cannot access VET Student Loans for a past census day. You must submit your eCAF on or before the first census day for which you wish the loan to apply.

When is my CENSUS date? How do I know about it?
If you are unsure of your CENSUS date, please check, Schedule of fees under the Cost tab on Mater Education’s website or contact Student Services to confirm.

Can I pay extra gap fee in order to reduce the amount of VET Student Loan debt for each semester? How do I go about it?
Yes, you can opt to pay more  out of your own pocket (gap fee). Contact Student Services before CENSUS date and inform in writing, about the amount of gap fee you are wishing to pay for the semester to reduce your VET Student Loan debt.

I have full VET Student Loan debt available. Can I reduce my gap fee for the semester or course?
The gap fee is decided by Mater Education for each course/ semester. The gap fee given on the “schedule of fees” is the minimum student contribution (gap fee) to be paid for the semester / course.

I am full fee paying student (not eligible for State funding) accessing VET Student Loans. Can I make a single payment for my gap fee?
Mater Education cannot accept more than $1500 as prepaid fees. You can make single payment for your gap fee as long as the payment does not exceed $1500.

What is a CHESSN and do I need to apply for it?
CHESSN is Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number. You will be allocated a CHESSN when you first apply for admission to your course. Your CHESSN is a unique identification number that stays with you for the whole of your student life. Your CHESSN is printed on your Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) which we will send you after the CENSUS date.

How do I know about my tuition fee for each semester?
Refer to the Schedule of fees under the Cost tab on Mater Education’s website or contact Student Services to confirm.

What is a Fee Notice and how is it different from an Invoice?
We will send you VET Student Loans debt Fee Notice for the fee period of your enrolment. This will be sent to your nominated personal email at least 14 days before the census day. 

The Fee Notice is not an invoice it is just advising you of the fees you will incur after the census date.
The fee notice contains a range of information including:
• your name, contact details and student identification number,
 • the cost of the unit/s you are enrolled in for that part of your course,
• the census day(s) on which you will incur the debt,
• your CHESSN, and
• the loan fee(if applicable) – funded students do not incur a VSLdebt loan fee
 
What is Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN)?
We will send you a CAN within 28 days after the census date, for the study period that you are enrolled in.
Your CAN will include information confirming:
• The tuition fees for your course,
• The course code and title 
• Upfront payment amount, and
• Any VET Student Loan debt incurred for that study period.

Is there a loan fee?
Full fee paying/fee for service students will incur a 20 per cent loan fee on their VET Student Loan debt. Students whose enrolment is subsidised by the State government do not incur a loan fee.
 
Will I be charged interest on the VET student loan debt?
There is no interest charged on VETSL debts.
Your VETSL debt is, however, indexed each year. It increases annually on 1 June to maintain its real value, adjusting in line with changes in the cost of living (as measured by the Consumer Price Index figure released each March). Debts are not indexed until they are 11 months old. You can find current and past indexation rates on the Australian Taxation Office website

What is a progression and do I need to complete the progression?
We will send you a progression email, using eCAF system, in FEBRUARY, JUNE and OCTOBER.
You are required to confirm your continued engagement in your course of study by completing the progression. Your ongoing access to a VET Student Loan is dependent upon you demonstrating that you are still engaged in and progressing through your course.

Can I choose the semester I want to access/ not access the VET Student Loan?
Once you have applied for VET student Loan through the eCAF, you can choose to access or not access the VET Student Loan for any semester. You will need to inform Student Services, in writing, prior to the next CENSUS date.

I don’t want to access VET Student Loan in the first semester but I might want to access in the second semester. How do I go about it?
You will have to submit the eCAF by the CENSUS date (of the second semester) in order to access VET Student Loan debt.
If you do not complete the eCAF by the CENSUS date of semester one you will have to wait until the next semester to request a VET Student Loan debt for future study.  Retrospective access to VET Student Loans is not allowed under any circumstances.
 Inform Student Services, in writing, prior to the CENSUS date, if you do not want to access the VET Student Loan debt for the next semester.

When do I start paying back my VET Student Loan debt?
Your VETSL debt forms part of your accumulated VETSL debt. You must start repaying your VETSL debt through the tax system once your income is above the compulsory repayment threshold, even if you are still studying. The threshold is adjusted each year. Please refer to Australian Taxation office website for the threshold.

What if I need more information about the VET Student Loans or my tuition fee?
Contact Student Services via email at materstudentservices@mater.org.au, call on 1300 070 350 or visit Mater Education reception, 4th Floor Duncombe Building, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane QLD -4101.

Whilst there are many employment options once completing the Diploma of Nursing program, Mater Education cannot guarantee employment. 

Four (4) to six (6) weeks before your course completion, you are able to apply for registration online, as an enrolled nurse (EN) with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Job opportunities are varied, depending on the area of nursing you choose to pursue. Within Mater, you are able to apply for Mater Health’s Enrolled Nursing Graduate Program, which is available exclusively to Mater Education’s Diploma of Nursing Graduates. Position availability is dependent on workforce needs : the graduate program application process is managed through the Human Resource Department. As we don’t employ all students, we offer career expos twice a year, where potential employers and tertiary pathway representatives are available to speak with students.

You may also wish to apply for a position as an EN within Mater or any potential employer. For any advertised positions at Mater however, you will need to apply and follow Mater recruitment processes. Please be advised these positions are limited, and there is no guarantee of employment.

Our team of educators and Learning Support Teachers provide workshops to assist with CV writing, interview techniques and presentation to enhance your skills and optimise your ability to be a successful applicant in the path you choose.

Where an approved course provider defaults and where a student accepts an offer of a place in a replacement course with Mater Education:

The student will be granted course credits for parts of the original course successfully completed by the student which will need to be evidenced by:

1.  a statement of attainment or other Australian Qualifications Framework certification documentation issued in accordance with the Australian Qualification Framework; or

2.  an authenticated VET transcript prepared by the Registrar (within the meaning of the Student Identifiers Act 2014).

Mater Education will not charge tuition fees for a replacement component of the replacement course if tuition fees have been paid for the affected part of the original course.

The student will be enrolled in the replacement course as soon as practicable and the VSL Tuition Protection Director will  be given written notice of the acceptance within 14 days of the acceptance.

Read our full Tuition Protection Procedure here.

Mater Education will give written notice to the VSL Tuition Protection Director of the circumstances of the default.  We will:

• notify VSL students enrolled in the course, in writing, the course is no longer being provided

• send the student notice to the student’s personal email address as held on the Student Management System

• specify in the student notice:

  • the name of the course, or part or parts of the course the student was enrolled in at the time of the default

  • the date of the default

  • a website specified by the VSL Tuition Protection Director where the student can get further information about tuition protection.

 Within three business days of a default occurring Mater Education will give written notice to the VSL Tuition Protection Director specifying for each student in relation to who the provider has defaulted and, as soon as practicable update our website to reflect the course is no longer being provided and to provide tuition protection information.

Read our full Tuition Protection Procedure here.

Mater Education uses a range of teaching and learning methods, including online learning. You can access this information using your own smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer.

If you’d prefer to access a computer onsite, Mater's South Brisbane campus has:

• 45 dedicated computers available onsite at the UQ/Mater McAuley Library

• designated computer training rooms

• Diploma of Nursing student space computers

• All of these computers have high-speed Internet connections.

The Diploma of Nursing area also has Wi-Fi accessibility in case you’d like to study onsite using your own devices.

Mater Education's online learning platform provides both onsite and remote access to study and assessment guides, lecture notes and online assessment.

We’ll send a list of requirements prior to your interview, but you will also need to supply:

• Australian birth certificate, passport or Australian citizenship papers (Mater Education does not enrol international students);

• driver's license and/or Medicare card and/or healthcare card if you are not an Australian citizen (e.g. if you're a permanent resident);

• a transcript copy of any qualifications, statements of attainment or a transcript of completed study and/or your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education awarded for the completion of year 12;

• evidence of meeting the English language requirements;

• evidence of New Zealand SCV eligibilty for a VET Student Loan, if required.

To apply for the program you’ll 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.

• Submit your Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum of two pages), detailing your education, work and voluntary experience.

Once you are offered a position within the Diploma of Nursing program, you will receive an offer of enrolment email and an invoice for your deposit. Once you receive your offer of enrolment email, you’ll need to:

• complete and submit your enrolment form online,
• apply and pay the relevant fee for a Criminal History Check using Fit2Work (the enrolment pack will have more information), and
• complete payment of your deposit.

You should receive a confirmation email to acknowledge we’ve received your application.

If you don’t receive this notification within 24 hours (and you’ve checked your junk mail folder), contact the Student Services team to confirm whether your application has been received and that you have submitted the correct contact details.

You’ll then receive directions to complete an online test (for reading and numeracy) to assess your English language competency. Applicants must display competence at or above Exit Level 3 in the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) in both reading and numeracy to be able to progress to the next stage of the application process.

We’ll then be in touch to arrange a time for you to participate in an interview and written examination.

Successful students will then be offered a place in the program.

If you’re unsuccessful in any of these stages, we will inform you as soon as possible, and where possible, provide you with advice for available gap study programs.

The interview is an essential component of the Mater Education application and enrolment process. If you can’t participate in an interview, we can’t proceed with your application.

Applications submitted after the closing date will not be accepted for that intake, however we will be happy to consider your application as part of the next available intake.

The interview and written examination session will take approximately one hour.

You’ll take part in a group information session, a 30 minute written examination and a one-on-one interview.

This process allows us to get to know you and understand why you think you would be a good Mater Education Diploma of Nursing student, and what skills and abilities you think you would bring to the student nurse role, including how you meet the inherent requirements.

Mater Education will make offers as promptly as possible, you can ask at interview when you can expect to hear from us. Everyone who interviewed will be contacted by either phone or email.

It’s important to note that places will be offered progressively throughout the application period, so early applications are encouraged to avoid disappointment.

If you have any questions about Mater's Diploma of Nursing Program or the application process, please contact the Student Services team on 07 3163 3777 or visit the contact page for alternative contact details.