Diploma of Nursing

Students must complete 440 hours (approximately 11 weeks) of clinical placement across 5 blocks. Placements are organised by Acknowledge Education in partnership with industry providers. You will usually attend placement in 8-hour shifts over 2-3 week blocks, although this may vary depending on availability. Completing placement hours is a mandatory requirement for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) through AHPRA.

You must meet the NMBA's English language skills registration standard. This can be achieved via two pathways: Pathway 1 (Primary Language) requires at least six years of schooling including two years between Years 7–12 in an NMBA-recognised English-speaking country. Pathway 2 (English Language Test) requires, for tests taken on or after 23 April 2026, an IELTS Academic overall score of 7 (minimum 7 in listening, reading and speaking; 6.5 in writing), or equivalent scores in PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced, or Cambridge C2 Proficiency, all within 24 months of the course commencement date.

Acknowledge Education has Nursing Clinical Simulation Laboratories (CSL) located at the Melbourne campus at 168 Exhibition Street. The CSL provides a safe, supportive environment where students can practise a wide range of clinical skills using industry-standard equipment. The labs feature a combination of low-, medium-, and high-fidelity manikins, supporting realistic, hands-on learning experiences to build clinical skills and confidence.

Prior to commencing professional experience placement in Term 3, students must provide a COVID-19 Vaccination Record, an Immunisation Record endorsed by a healthcare professional (covering Diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus, Hepatitis B, Measles/Mumps/Rubella, and Varicella Zoster virus), a National Police Record Check and/or Police clearance from country of residence, and a Working with Children Check. Additional requirements may also be requested by the host health agency.

Graduates of the Diploma of Nursing are eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia as an enrolled nurse. Additionally, there is a direct pathway into the second year of a Bachelor of Nursing degree for those who wish to advance their qualifications further.