#14 in the world for nursing
#36 in the world for public health
920 hours of placement opportunities
Why choose Deakin
Graduate ready to succeed in Australia's fastest-growing employment sector. Ranked #14 in the world for nursing and #36 for public health, this double degree covers contemporary theory and allows you to take on 920 hours of professional placements across clinical and community settings. Graduate eligible to apply to be a registered nurse, and develop the skills to empower individuals and communities to lead healthier lives.
Learn in our School of Nursing's clinical simulation centres before gaining hands-on placement experience in a variety of settings, such as acute, medical, aged care, paediatrics, rehabilitation, mental health and community health. From a public health perspective, you will study epidemiology, health policy, communication and global health, and graduate ready to improve health outcomes locally and globally.
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World-ranked health education
Study at a university ranked #14 in the world for nursing and #36 in the world for public health, and gain expertise across clinical and population health.
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Improve health at every level
Combine hands-on nursing skills with public health and health promotion strategies to improve health outcomes for individuals, communities and populations.
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Extensive hands-on experience
Complete 920 hours of placement across your degree, including nursing clinical placements and practical experiences in public health.
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Flexible and rewarding careers
Graduate eligible to apply for NMBA registration as a registered nurse, while developing skills to work in health promotion, policy, prevention and community health.
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
Combine nursing practice with public health and health promotion knowledge for careers supporting people and communities.
Registered nurse
Provide person-centred care, coordinate treatment and support health outcomes across hospitals, community services and specialist settings.
- 13.9%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- $93k
Typical annual salary in Australia
Health officer
Support public health programs, policy and community initiatives that improve health outcomes across populations.
- 15.4%
Projected job growth in 5 years for allied health services
- $125k
Typical annual salary in Australia
Other jobs
- Health promotion officer
- Community nurse
- Practice nurse
- Public health nurse
- Program coordinator
- Health educator
Key dates
VTAC
FAQs
Yes – every Deakin student can access work-integrated learning (WIL) in their degree. Each year, more than 30,000+ students complete a placement or internship with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, EY and the National Australia Bank. You can access WIL through placements, industry projects, field-based experiences, simulations and global programs, helping you apply your skills and graduate with the experience and confidence employers value.
DeakinTALENT is Deakin's award-winning career service, and you can access it for life – not just while you're studying. From personalised career coaching sessions and AI-enhanced resume support to a jobs and internships board with employment opportunities, it’s designed to give you the career management skills and connections you need to stand out. Every Deakin degree is built with input from employers, so your course is designed around real workplace needs, now and into the future.
Entry requirements and the minimum ATAR vary by degree and are detailed on the degree page, but if your ATAR is below the cut-off, you still have options. Use the pathway finder tool to find the opportunities available to you, including associate degrees and Deakin Guaranteed ATAR, which offers eligible students a guaranteed entry score that's on average 10 points below the lowest selection rank. If you don't have an ATAR, Deakin Uni Ready is a free, supported program designed to build your skills and confidence and open doors to degrees in arts, health, science and business. Access programs and equity schemes are also available.
At Deakin, employability isn't an add-on – it's built in. Our degrees are designed with industry input, so your skills are aligned to what employers actually need. Every Deakin student can access work-integrated learning through opportunities such as placements, internships and industry projects, helping you build your professional network and practical experience before you even graduate. It's an approach that works: nine out of 10 Deakin graduates get a job within four to six months of finishing their degree.
Yes. Most eligible undergraduate students are offered a Commonwealth Supported Place meaning the government subsidises part of your tuition fees. If eligible, you can pay your student contribution using a HECS-HELP loan that you only start repaying once your income is above the repayment threshold. Deakin has scholarships that cater to our diverse student community, ranging from $5,000 per year for high ATAR achievers to $10,000 per year for students facing financial or personal hardship. The University also offers support services including financial counselling, budgeting help and access to short-term, interest-free loans to help you stay on track.
Deakin is the #1 Victorian university for student support and that starts the moment you accept your offer. Orientation is designed to help you feel welcome and get to know your community of classmates and teachers from day one. Across all campuses, there's a vibrant student community with clubs, events and opportunities to build real friendships. Deakin offers a range of services to help students stay healthy and safe, including sport and fitness facilities, free counselling, on-campus medical services and around-the-clock security.
Yes, and it's straightforward. You can transfer to Deakin in a few steps and apply for credit through recognition of prior learning (RPL), so you won't necessarily repeat subjects you've already completed. If you're coming from a TAFE partner, you may get guaranteed entry into second year with guaranteed RPL. Deakin's three-trimester system also means you may be able to start mid-year rather than waiting until March.
Most Deakin courses run across three trimesters per year instead of the traditional two semesters. Trimester 1 begins around March, Trimester 2 around July and Trimester 3 around November, each with roughly 12 weeks of teaching followed by an exam period. This means you can usually start your degree at three different points in the year and have more flexibility to manage your study load. Check the intakes by location section on the course page for details.
*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 Public Health and Health Promotion?
This four-year double degree combines clinical nursing practice with population health expertise. You will graduate eligible to apply for registration as a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia while developing capability in prevention and health promotion.
Foundations in nursing and public health and health promotion
Human biosciences
Build a strong scientific foundation in anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology to understand how the body functions in health and disease, supporting safe, evidence-based nursing care.
Foundations of nursing practice
Develop essential nursing skills including patient assessment, communication and clinical reasoning while learning how to deliver safe, compassionate and person-centred care.
Determinants of health
Explore the social, environmental and behavioural factors that influence health outcomes, and examine how inequities and life circumstances shape population health.
Applied capability
Clinical assessment and decision-making
Develop confidence in conducting structured patient assessments and interpreting clinical information to recognise changes in health status and support timely care decisions.
Public health and health promotion principles
Examine evidence-informed strategies used to prevent disease and improve wellbeing across communities, including approaches that influence behaviour, environments and policy.
Further placements
Gain practical experience through a supervised nursing placement in a hospital, community service or other healthcare setting, applying classroom knowledge in clinical environments.
Systems and population health
Complex and acute care
Strengthen clinical reasoning while managing patients with complex or acute conditions across hospital and community settings under professional supervision.
Epidemiology and health policy
Analyse how health data, research evidence and government policy influence healthcare systems, service delivery and population health outcomes.
Program planning and evaluation
Learn how to design, implement and evaluate health promotion initiatives that address community needs and improve population health outcomes.
Integration and leadership
Leadership and systems thinking
Examine leadership approaches, healthcare governance and quality improvement while developing systems thinking skills to strengthen health promotion and healthcare services.
Applied health promotion strategies
Develop and evaluate evidence-based interventions that support disease prevention, health equity and improved wellbeing across diverse populations.
Integrated practice experience
Consolidate your learning through extended supervised placements, integrating nursing and public health and health promotion knowledge in preparation for professional practice.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion ;students 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
Professional recognition
Upon successful completion of your course, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
The NMBA has mandatory registration standards that applicants need to meet to be registered. 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.
You may also be eligible to become a member of the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) and the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA).
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.
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 Status
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 could 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. There is an expectation that you are available to undertake clinical practicum outside of trimester dates. All expenses associated with professional experience placements are your own responsibility.
Inherent requirements
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.
Clinical practicum requirements
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 responsibility.
If you are enrolled at the Waterfront (Geelong) campus, you will be required to take your units associated with the Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion course on campus at Waurn Ponds (Geelong) or online.
Professional experience practice - Nursing
Beginning soon after commencement of the course, early exposure to the clinical environment gives you extensive opportunities to develop clinical skills in a variety of settings including acute/sub-acute care, medical and surgical care, paediatrics, aged care, rehabilitation, community nursing and mental health nursing.
There is an expectation that you will be available to undertake professional experience placements outside of trimester dates. All expenses associated with professional experience placements are your own responsibility.
To be eligible to undertake placements, you are required to supply mandatory documents (prerequisites) including police checks, working with children check and immunisation status.
Public Health and Health Promotion
The Health Practicum requires you to undertake a minimum of 120 hours of work experience in a health-related agency. In addition to developing a practical understanding of public health and health promotion, this experience will help you further develop the professional and personal skills required to work in a public health and/or health promotion role.
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 (H326) |
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| 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 H313 Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion |
| Apply evidence-based research and a determinants-based knowledge of public health and health promotion to advocate for social change, promote good health and wellbeing, prevent poor health and reduce inequalities for individuals and populations alike. |
| Communicate effectively in oral and written forms with a range of stakeholders and promote positive, desired change. |
| Use information technology to effectively communicate, locate information and analyse data. |
| Apply critical thinking and reflection to issues of contemporary health, related to policy and planning in public health and health promotion practice within an evidence-based framework. |
| Apply an evidence-based learning framework to create solutions to diverse and complex health problems. |
| Monitor and reflect on one’s own professional practice. |
| Develop knowledge and implement strategies in collaboration with others to build and enhance relevant partnerships and actions as a public health and health promotion practitioner. |
| Support public health and health promotion practice within diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts and communities. |
- Award granted
Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion
- Year
2027 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400414021 - Waterfront (Geelong), Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
1400514021 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) - Deakin code
- D381
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$6,152
for 1 yr full-time - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
The estimated tuition (student contribution) fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your student contribution is determined by the units you enrol in and will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan to defer payment of all or part of your student contribution.
Check your eligibility or learn more about CSP or HECS-HELP.
Scholarships
A Deakin scholarship can open the door to new opportunities. Whether you have something unique to offer or simply need a bit of extra support to reach your goals, we’re here to help. Scholarships can assist with course fees, living costs and study materials – so you can focus on achieving your best.
If you're eligible, the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) can help with the costs of completing a mandatory placement as part of your course.
Key dates
VTAC
Apply now
Apply through VTAC
- currently in Year 12 and applying for Trimester 1 or Semester 1
- applying for multiple undergraduate courses
Need help? Follow our step-by-step undergraduate guide to prepare and submit your application.
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.
Enrolled nurses who hold a Diploma of Nursing (approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia) and are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), can be granted up to 6 credit points of Recognition of prior learning (RPL) towards this degree. Please obtain further clarification by contacting a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Not sure if you'll meet entry requirements?
Deakin offers a range of pathways into the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion to suit your background and goals. Explore the pathways finder to see how previous study, diplomas or alternative qualifications can lead you into the course.