Course overview
Gain the ethical understanding, knowledge and skills you need to become a successful registered nurse with Deakin's Bachelor of Nursing – launching you into a career where you make a real difference. Ranked #14 in the world for nursing*, this course prepares you to provide high-quality, safe, patient-centred care in a range of settings. Our state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Centres, replicating real-world health service facilities, prepare you for your professional experience placements.
Professional experience placements begin in Trimester 1 of first year and throughout every trimester of the course, totalling 800 hours. Supported by qualified and experienced clinicians, you will care for people from diverse cultural backgrounds in various metropolitan, regional and rural healthcare settings, enabling application of knowledge and further skill development. Join Victoria's #1 university for nursing teaching practices, facilities and support services.^
Ready to get hands-on experience in a clinical setting as soon as you begin studying?
Under the supervision of registered nurses, you will gain real-world experience by working with multidisciplinary healthcare teams across areas including:
- acute/sub-acute care
- medical and surgical care
- aged care
- rehabilitation
- paediatrics
- community health settings
- mental health care settings.
Secure your future career, with registered nurse job opportunities expected to grow by 11.3% by 2029.#
Healthcare is one of the most important priorities for populations worldwide, with nurses playing a pivotal role in delivering quality and safe services. Thanks to our extensive clinical partnership network with many of Victoria’s major healthcare providers, this course is designed to ensure you gain the leadership knowledge and hands-on skills that are most relevant to employers in the healthcare sector.
Ranked #14* in the world, our School of Nursing and Midwifery is one of Australia’s most research-active schools and boasts some of the best facilities and resources available. As the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment, Deakin prepares you for real-world success through hands-on learning in our Clinical Simulation Centres. These purpose-built centres—located on every campus—offer a safe, supportive and realistic environment where you’ll develop and refine essential nursing skills using case-based scenarios that increase in complexity as your degree progresses.
Deakin’s Bachelor of Nursing is developed in consultation with our healthcare partners, ensuring you’re always connected to those at the forefront of industry. The course is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), enabling clear career outcomes upon graduation.
Would you like to enhance your leadership potential? You may be interested in our Bachelor of Nursing (Clinical Leadership) - the only undergraduate degree of its kind in Victoria. A specialist degree that matches the structure of all the core units from our Bachelor of Nursing but with three additional core units focused on developing and enhancing your leadership potential. You will also receive unique mentored learning experiences in clinical settings, observing and working alongside nurse leaders from our partner organisations, and experienced academics from our School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can enrol in Deakin’s Bachelor of Nursing through the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute . NIKERI offers culturally respectful, flexible, and accredited programs that combine week-long on-campus intensives with supported online learning. Your studies will be grounded in shared cultural values and designed to balance learning with your community commitments. Visit the NIKERI Institute website to learn more.
Explore our diverse nursing courses, including the Bachelor of Nursing (Clinical Leadership) and Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery - each designed to prepare you for a rewarding career in healthcare. You can also combine your interests through double degrees like the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion and the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Psychological Science, helping you broaden your expertise and stand out in the healthcare workforce.
* 2025 ShanghaiRankings Global Ranking of Academic Subjects
^ Student Experience Survey 2021-2022 based on undergraduate nursing students. Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT).
# 2024 Occupation Projections - for the five years to 2029, Australian Government, Jobs and Skills Australia
Current Deakin students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Year
2026 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400414353 - Waterfront (Geelong), International full-fee paying place
1400514353 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place
1400714353 - Warrnambool, International full-fee paying place - Deakin code
- H326
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 018327G 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
GAIN VITAL INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE AT THE #1 VICTORIAN UNI FOR GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Nursing, you must pass 24 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 21 credit points of core units
- 2 credit points of open elective units
- 1 credit point of course elective units
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.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure applies for students who commenced in 2022 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2022 should contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Level 1 - Trimester 1
Level 1 - Trimester 2
Level 2 - Trimester 1
Students must complete HNN217 and HNN222 in the same trimester
plus one elective/course elective unit
Level 2 - Trimester 2
Students must complete HNN215 and HNN227 in the same trimester
plus one elective/course elective unit
Level 3 - Trimester 1
plus one elective/course elective unit
Level 3 - Trimester 2
Students must undertake one elective unit from the list below. For the two other elective units, students may take electives from any School of the University provided that prerequisites are met. At least one of the three electives must be taken at level two or three. Students must select units in consultation a Student Adviser in Student Central.
International study tour course elective:
Inter Professional Education (IPE) course elective:
Other course elective units:
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waterfront (Geelong)
- Warrnambool
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waterfront (Geelong)
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
More skills, more careers
Earn two degrees, faster, at the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment. With a double degree, you can combine a nursing degree with midwifery, psychological science or public health and health promotion. Save time, reduce costs and unlock more career opportunities.
Course duration
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.
Mandatory student checks
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.
Workload
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of learning activities each week. This may include lectures, seminars, simulations, 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.
Participation requirements
Professional experience placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks.
There is an expectation that you are available to undertake professional experience placements outside of trimester dates. All expenses associated with professional experience placements are your responsibility.
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.
Work experience
Professional experience practice
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 experience in a variety of settings including acute/sub-acute care, medical and surgical care, aged care, rehabilitation, community nursing and mental health nursing. These may be undertaken in hospitals and community health care centres in metropolitan, rural and regional areas.
To be eligible to undertake placements, you are required to supply mandatory documents (prerequisites) including police checks, working with children check and immunisation status.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Please note, there are limited places in this course and entry is competitive. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
If you don't meet the academic entry requirements as outlined in the tabs below, or haven't completed Year 12, or don't hold any relevant qualifications, the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test) Multiple Choice (MC) may be an option for you to meet course entry requirements.
Academic requirements
If you're currently studying Year 12, or completed Year 12 in the last two years, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
Year 12 prerequisite subjects
- Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an Additional Language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL
ATAR
- Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with an unadjusted ATAR of at least 50 or equivalent
If you have undertaken higher education studies after secondary schooling, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
- successful completion of at least two bachelor level or above units (AQF Level 7 or equivalent)
If you have undertaken any Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, you will need to meet at least one of following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
- completion of a certificate IV or higher in a related discipline
- completion of a diploma or higher in any discipline
- at least 50% completion of a diploma or higher in a related discipline
If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago, or did not finish Year 12, and haven’t undertaken any further study, you may be considered for admission to this degree based on your work, volunteer and/or life experience.
Submit a personal statement outlining your motivation to study, previous education and employment history, and how this course can assist your career aspirations or progression. Think of it as a job application cover letter – it should be relevant and demonstrate your commitment and interest in this course or study area.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in one of the following English language tests and meet the requirements for test results specified in the NMBA English language skills registration standard:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 7.0 (with no individual band less than 7.0)
- OET: minimum score of B in each of the four bands
- PTE Academic: minimum score of 66 (with no communication band less than 66)
ANMAC additional English language proficiency requirements
In addition to meeting the Deakin English language requirement, it is an Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) accreditation requirement that applicants meet the English language requirements of the ANMAC Accreditation Standards leading to initial registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) at commencement of their course.
These requirements include a self- declaration that English is their primary language, evidence of achievement of the minimum English language test result as specified in the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's (NMBA) English language skills registration standard, or hold current registration with The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as an Enrolled Nurse or Registered Nurse.
Nursing English Language Requirements Self-Declaration
VTAC applicants will be provided with this information via the VTAC application process. No offer can be made to an applicant who has not completed this declaration.
Primary language
The NMBA requirement is that English is your primary language and you have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English, including at least two years between years 7 and 12. This education must have been completed in one or more of the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, United States of America.
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning. We're also committed to admissions transparency. Read about our first intake of 2026 students (PDF, 879KB) – their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin? Discover the different entry pathways we offer and study options available to you, no matter your ATAR or education history.
Recognition of prior learning
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of prior learning.
Your Recognition of prior learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
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, TAFE awards and, in particular, a Diploma of Nursing. Students with Division 2 registration, or are eligible to register are entitled to apply for a maximum of eight (8) credit points of Recognition of prior learning.
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 Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
International students who received 8 credit points recognised prior learning (RPL) must commence their studies in Trimester 1 only. Should students choose to intermit their studies for their first trimester, they must intermit for a full year.
Please obtain further clarification by contacting a Student Adviser in Student Central enquire.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place
$44,600 for 1 yr full-time AUD
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.
Learn more about international student fees.
Scholarship options
Deakin scholarships recognise your hard work and achievements. Our support can ease the financial pressure of studying in Australia so you stay focused on your success. Numbers are limited, so apply early for the best chance.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
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.
Need more information on how to apply?
For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, visit the How to apply webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact us.
Pathways
Articulated courses:
Career outcomes
As a Deakin nursing graduate, you will be highly sought after by industry for your nursing knowledge, critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills, professionalism, and the ability to provide person-centred, evidence-based care – which is why we are proud to record a high undergraduate nursing employment rate of over 93%. *
As a registered nurse, you can pursue career opportunities around the world in a range of work settings, including:
- hospitals
- homes
- hospices
- aged care settings
- clinics
- schools
- universities
- community health centres
- government agencies and private industries.
Nursing is a dynamic and evolving profession, offering many opportunities to specialise and grow as your career progresses. As you gain experience, you may choose to further develop your skills through postgraduate study. Deakin offers a range of flexible options to suit your goals and interests, including in specialty areas such as cardiac nursing, emergency nursing, intensive care nursing, perioperative nursing, and mental health nursing.
* Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-2023, based on overall employment for undergraduate nursing graduates, Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT).
Professional recognition
On 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.
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Course Learning Outcomes | Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Apply nursing knowledge and capability in accordance with legal and ethical requirements to deliver comprehensive, holistic, culturally appropriate, evidence based, safe and quality care. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| Foster effective therapeutic and professional relationships to ensure safe and quality care across the lifespan. | GLO2: Communication |
| Use digital technologies in healthcare to locate, interpret and disseminate information and deliver quality and safe patient care. | GLO3: Digital literacy |
| Thinks critically, analyses evidence and evaluates outcomes to inform quality nursing practice. | GLO4: Critical thinking |
| Self-manage behaviours to develop and maintain critical nursing knowledge, understanding and skills to ensure capability for practice in self and others. | GLO6: Self-management |
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
