#14 in the world for nursing
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia-approved degree
Placements start in your first trimester
Why choose nursing and midwifery at Deakin
Study at the world's #14 university for nursing in a course developed in consultation with our healthcare partners. Learn how to provide high quality, patient-centred nursing and woman-centred midwifery care and gain experience across many settings, such as maternity, neonatal, paediatrics, acute and medical care, aged care, rehabilitation, community and mental health.
Start your placements in the first trimester of your degree, completing 800 hours of nursing placement, and approximately 840 hours of midwifery placement in metropolitan, regional and rural environments. With nursing and midwifery roles in Australia projected to grow more than 13% by 2029, you'll graduate eligible to register as both a nurse and midwife, with the flexibility to shape your career.
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Proven employability
Study at a university ranked #14 in the world for nursing and graduate with dual qualifications recognised by healthcare employers.
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Practical learning for every student
Complete around 1,500 hours of supervised clinical placements in diverse hospital, maternity and community settings.
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High-quality simulation facilities
Learn in Deakin’s clinical simulation centres, which are designed to reflect real healthcare and maternity care environments.
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Industry-shaped and accredited
Graduate eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and begin practising as a registered nurse or midwife.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Prepare for careers supporting patients, women, babies and families across nursing, midwifery and community care settings.
Nurse
Provide person-centred care, coordinate treatment and support health outcomes across hospitals, community services and specialist settings.
- 13.7%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- $105k
Typical annual salary in Australia
Midwife
Support women and families through pregnancy, labour, birth and early postnatal care, providing evidence-based clinical care.
- 13.9%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- $105k
Typical annual salary in Australia
Other jobs
- Community nurse
- Maternal and child health nurse
- Practice nurse
- Aged care nurse
- Clinical nurse specialist
- Nurse educator
FAQs
Deakin's campuses in Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool are set in vibrant, multicultural communities where it is easy to connect and feel at home. As the #1 university in Australia for international student happiness and student satisfaction, you will be supported at every step of your journey. You can join clubs and societies through the Deakin University Student Association (DUSA), attend social events, go on trips and live on campus to meet people from around the world. Each campus has fitness centres, cafes and 24-hour security, as well as prayer rooms and multifaith chaplains.
Deakin offers a range of merit-based scholarships that can reduce your tuition fees by 20%, 25%, 50% or 100% for the duration of your degree. Eligibility varies by scholarship and the degree you choose, but you will automatically be considered for most scholarships when you apply to Deakin. Use the Find a scholarship tool and filter by 'citizenship' to see what is available to you, or explore Australia Awards scholarships if you are from an eligible country.
As an international student at Deakin, you can work part time according to the conditions of your visa. On a Student Visa (Subclass 500), you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during trimesters. When you are on a trimester break you can work as much as you want. Compulsory work experience that forms part of your degree does not count toward this limit. Find part-time roles and internships through DeakinTALENT and learn more about working in Australia.
Most students studying full time at Deakin need a Student Visa (Subclass 500). You can apply for this visa after you accept your offer and receive your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). To apply, you will need a valid passport, your CoE, proof of Overseas Student Health Cover and any other documents required by the Department of Home Affairs. Apply as early as possible, but do not book travel until your visa has been granted. Find out more about student visas.
Australia is widely regarded as one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the world for students, with strong legal protections, reliable public services and a multicultural community. In fact, Melbourne is ranked the #4 student city in the world! At Deakin, you will be part of a supportive community, with 24/7 help, dedicated campus security and practical tools to help you feel safe, confident and connected. Deakin’s SafeZone app also connects you directly to campus security and support services if you ever need help. Find out more about studying in Australia.
Deakin offers a wide range of support to help you settle in and succeed throughout your studies – we are ranked the #1 university in Melbourne for student support. You can access 1:1 study support, English language support, career planning help, disability services and free counselling, as well as financial assistance if you need it. On campus, the SafeZone app and 24/7 security services mean help is always within reach. You can explore the full range of support services for international students or start an online chat with a student ambassador before you arrive.
To enrol in an undergraduate degree at Deakin, many degrees require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent). Some degrees require higher scores so check the entry requirements tab on the degree page for details. You may also meet the requirement through recent secondary or university study completed in English, or by demonstrating five or more years of living and working in an English-speaking country. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you do not yet meet the requirement, the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) offers pathway programs to help develop your English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Completion of DUELI’s English for Academic Purposes can give you the minimum English language requirements for most Deakin degrees.
Deakin is the #1 university in Melbourne for international student graduate employment. Our degrees are developed with industry insight, so you will gain career-ready skills from the beginning. Each Deakin student can access work-integrated learning through opportunities including placements, internships and projects with well-known industry partners. Our dedicated international student career support program helps you learn about the Australian workforce, make connections and build your network through placements. You will get support with your resume, help looking for an internship or a job after graduation and even advice about your career options overseas.
There is more than one way to study at Deakin. If you do not meet the academic requirements, Deakin College offers a guaranteed pathway to Deakin with small, supportive classes on campus. If you meet the academic requirements but not the English requirements, you can enrol in a Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) English pathway program and progress to your chosen Deakin degree upon successful completion. Deakin also has formal pathway agreements with partner institutions in countries like China, India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and the United States, so you can start your studies locally before transferring to Australia to complete your degree.
Related courses
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery?
This four-year degree prepares you to apply for registration as both a registered nurse and a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Throughout your degree, you will complete required clinical practice placements across healthcare and maternity settings.
Foundations of health and maternity care
Fundamentals of nursing and midwifery
Build core assessment, communication and safe care skills for hospital and maternity contexts.
Human biosciences
Develop knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology relevant to nursing and midwifery practice.
Clinical placements begin
In Trimester 1, you will begin your supervised placements across healthcare and healthcare environments.
Developing clinical capability
Clinical reasoning and assessment
Apply structured assessment frameworks in acute, community and maternity care settings.
Midwifery across the continuum
Learn how to provide evidence-informed care during labour and birth and the postnatal period.
Further placements
Undertake structured supervised practice in hospital and community environments.
Integrated care across contexts
Complex nursing care
Apply advanced reasoning to diverse and high-acuity patient presentations.
Complex midwifery care
Employ a collaborative evidence-informed approach to the midwifery care of women and babies with complex health needs.
Applied interprofessional practice
Strengthen your collaboration and communication skills across multidisciplinary teams and apply your skills with further placement opportunities.
Consolidate your skills
Advanced nursing and midwifery practice
Integrate your knowledge from both nursing and midwifery and learn to apply your skills in complex clinical scenarios.
Leadership and professional accountability
Demonstrate responsibility and effective teamwork within healthcare teams.
Transition to dual practice
Complete your final supervised placements that prepare you for entry into both professions.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery, you must pass 32 credit points.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Year 1 - Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Year 2 - Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Year 3 - Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Year 4 - Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Year 1 - Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Year 2 - Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Year 3 - Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Year 4 - Trimester 1
*** Note: HNN154 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People's History, Culture and Health is NOT available to enrol in Trimester 1. Please speak to a Student Adviser to assist with your enrolment into this unit for either Trimester 2 or Trimester 3 in years 1 or 2.
Trimester 2
Professional recognition
On successful completion of your course, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse and Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
The NMBA has mandatory registration standards that applicants need to meet to be registered. Course completion is one of these requirements. Core registration standards are available on the NMBA website.
This course is accredited with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and is an NMBA approved course.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Professional experience placements are conducted throughout your course beginning in Trimester 1 of your first year. This early exposure to the clinical environment gives you extensive opportunities to develop clinical skills under the supervision of registered nurses and enables you to experience being part of a multidisciplinary health care team. You will gain clinical skills in a variety of settings such as acute/sub-acute care, medical and surgical care, paediatrics, aged care, rehabilitation, community nursing and mental health nursing.
Midwifery practice experiences include all areas of midwifery practice, including pregnancy care, labour and birth, postnatal care and neonatal special care under the supervision of midwives. These may be undertaken in metropolitan, rural and regional hospitals and in the community in caseload midwifery programs that may also include home birth.
There is an expectation that you will be available to undertake clinical practicum outside of trimester dates. All expenses associated with professional experience placements are your own responsibility.
Department of Health Safety Screening Requirements - Police Record Check, Working With Children Check and Immunisation Status
Police Record Check
In accordance with the Department of Health policy, all students are required to undertake a Police Record Check prior to professional experience placements in each calendar year of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check prior to the commencement of professional experience placement will not be able to undertake professional experience placement and this will impede progress in the course.
Working with Children Check
In accordance with the Worker Screening Act 2020, all students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check at the commencement of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of professional experience placement will not be able to undertake professional experience placement and this will impede progress in the course.
Immunisation
Students are required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health organisations where they will be undertaking their clinical learning experience. A health organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if the student’s immunisation status is not satisfactory to the health organisation.
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This may include lectures, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
The course involves compulsory professional experience placement totalling 41 weeks. The midwifery component consists of 21 weeks in midwifery settings across Victoria. The nursing component consists of 20 weeks in hospitals and community health centres in metropolitan, rural and regional areas. These placements may require travel to rural areas. Professional experience placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here.
To be eligible to undertake placements, you are required to supply mandatory documents (prerequisites) including police checks, working with children check and immunisation status.
In order to participate in on-campus learning activities, and to safely engage in placements in clinical environments, there are a number of skills and functions that students need to be able to demonstrate, with or without reasonable adjustments. These skills and functions are known as Inherent Requirements. Find out more about the School of Nursing and Midwifery’s Undergraduate Courses Inherent Requirements.
To discuss these requirements and the adjustments we can provide to support your success, please contact the Disability Resource Centre.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Nursing |
|---|
| Think critically, analyse and apply evidence and evaluate outcomes to inform safe and quality nursing practice |
| Foster effective therapeutic and professional relationships to ensure safe and quality care across the lifespan. |
| Exhibit professionalism through self-management and engagement with feedback to maintain capability for practice of self and others. |
| Apply nursing knowledge and capability in accordance with professional, legal and ethical requirements to deliver comprehensive, safe and quality care based on best available evidence. |
| Provide person-centred, culturally safe, and respectful nursing care that upholds the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of all people, enriched by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ cultures and knowledges, and responsive to the diversity of all communities. |
| Critically and ethically apply digital technologies to locate, interpret and disseminate information and deliver safe and quality care. |
| Course Learning Outcomes |
| Practice midwifery that is underpinned by the philosophy of woman-centred care. |
| Critically engage in a process of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation to provide evidence informed, safe and quality care to optimise outcomes in partnership with the woman. |
| Be a reflective learner who actively develops and maintains the knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for contemporary midwifery practice. |
| Develop sustainable, culturally safe partnerships, enriched by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures and knowledges, founded on mutual trust, respect and collaboration to support safe, quality midwifery care. |
| Foster effective professional relationships to ensure safe and quality care. |
- Award granted
Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery
- Year
2027 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400414363 - Waterfront (Geelong), International full-fee paying place
1400514363 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place
1400714363 - Warrnambool, International full-fee paying place - Deakin code
- D355
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 057656M Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong), Warrnambool
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Apply directly through StudyLink Connect. Depending on your location, you may need to apply through a Deakin Authorised Agent, who can support and submit your application.
See our guide to applying to Deakin for application steps and requirements.
Apply through VTAC
If you are an international student completing an Australian Year 12 in Australia or overseas, you must submit an application through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). In addition, you may also apply directly to Deakin through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's international student application service.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Normal University regulations and guidelines will pertain to students who apply for Recognition of prior learning. The Deakin University policy on Recognition of prior learning states that students will be provided with the maximum credit for relevant approved post-secondary study, or informal learning, which exceeds the normal entry requirements for the relevant course. This may include previous completed or incomplete degrees, diplomas and TAFE awards. In all cases, credit will need to be determined on a case-by-case basis with a maximum credit granted being consistent with University policy (Deakin University, Recognition of prior learning policy and procedure, July 2003) and the guidelines for Recognition of prior learning as approved by the NMBA.
Pathways
If you did not meet the selection requirements for this course, you may be eligible for an alternative entry pathway. Explore your options to get ready for the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery using our pathways finder.
This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses and other postgraduate coursework programs.