HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing

The next Diploma of Nursing course will commence in November/December 2025

Applications will open in September 2025. 

The HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing is delivered over 18 months in our training rooms at 182 Macquarie Street, Hobart.

The 18 months is comprised of face to face, online learning, and structured industry placement (12 weeks in total). This course requires 2 days per week of face to face learning (9am to 3pm) at our training rooms at 182 Macquarie Street, Hobart, plus the equivalent of 2-3 days per week self-directed learning at home.

There are 25 units in this course - 20 core units and 5 electives. To achieve this qualification, students must have also completed a minimum of 400 hours of successful clinical placement in the aged care, acute care and mental health settings. If you have previous work experience and underpinning knowledge in this industry, you may wish to apply for Recognised Prior Learning.

Students are welcome to use our library facilities during business hours Monday to Friday.

Before you begin your course application (submitting an expression of interest), make sure you meet the requirements listed below:

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or above
• Applicants are required to undertake a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) assessment with HERC. In addition, applicants will need to satisfy the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) English language entry requirement* prior to acceptance into this course.
• Applicants must provide evidence of a valid National Police Check
• Applicants must provide evidence of their valid working with vulnerable people registration/card
• Physical ability to demonstrate manual handling skills applicable as a compulsory component of the course and the clinical care workplace
• COVID-19 Vaccinations: Received your first, second and booster (or have evidence of booking to receive boosters) of a TGA approved or recognised COVID-19 vaccination prior to course commencement
• Influenza Vaccination: Received prior to Aged Care placement
• Other Vaccinations requested for Acute placements
• Inherent requirements for nursing qualifications describe a range of cognitive, behavioural, and physical capabilities which are required for the delivery of safe care nursing

Please be aware: HERC has a requirement to notify AHPRA if a student undertaking the course has an impairment that may place the public at substantial risk of harm - Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Making a mandatory notification

There are no prerequisites for this qualification. However, entry into this course will be highly competitive. Our enrolment team will be using selection activities based on:

1. Evidence of preparation for Diploma level studies (academic background, prior studies at a Certificate III level)
2. Evidence of interest in/preparation for working in the health field (work history, work experience, life experience)
3. Literacy (ability to read and comprehend, summarise and express concepts)
4. Numeracy (ability to carry out basic calculations involving addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, percentage and decimal points)

HERC will conduct suitability checks on all applicants relating to the above criteria prior to selection.

Please note

HERC are obligated under the training and RTO Standards to ensure students undertaking courses are fully informed of the course requirements and fees, and have the potential to be successful at completing the qualification and gaining employment. HERC therefore require applicants to complete a questionnaire and a language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) assessment prior to commencing the course. You will be guided through this process as part of your enrolment requirements.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and culturally and linguistically diverse background applicants are encouraged to apply.

As HERC is not CRICOS approved, we are unable to take international students on student visa's.

*‘Students that would be required by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) to provide a formal English language skills test when applying for registration, must provide a formal English language test result demonstrating they have achieved the NMBA specified level of English language skills, prior to commencing the program’ (Source: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Standard 6.1a)'

Click here to read: Standard 6.1A Requirements for Students (PDF)

Applicants will be required to take and pass a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) assessment that will be held at HERC.

The LLN test endeavours to identify the skill level of the applicants by assessing:

• general reading skills
• the ability for the applicant to follow simple instructions
• the ability for the applicant to perform mathematical tasks that require addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication
• assessing reading, writing, spelling, and comprehension

We will advise you by email the time and date of your test once you have completed a compulsory expression of interest form located in the last tab at the end of this page. 

The group interview is a mandatory part of the application process. The group interview will be held in our training rooms at 182 Macquarie Street, Hobart.

On the day of the Group Interview, you will be asked to fill in and submit an enrolment form, before participating in a group interview held by two HERC staff members. The interview will consist of a series of questions regarding your interest in the course, why you have applied and your previous work/life experience. You will also be asked to partake in group activities to show your effective communication skills and problem solving abilities.

A $10 non-refundable application fee is required when submitting an Expression of Interest.

The course cost for a full fee paying student will be $18,000. This includes a $600 non-refundable enrolment fee due at commencement of your course.

There may be funding available for eligible students through the State Government which will reduce the cost of the fees. 

Learner Eligibility for Skills Tasmania Job Seeker Funding

All students accepted into the course will be required to set up a payment plan at the beginning of the course, which will direct debit the associated fees each week/fortnight/month.

Your course fees will cover the basic materials needed for your course, (including your uniform, SIM consumables, loaning of text books, online learning resources and personal protective clothing), but in order to undertake the course, you will need to pay for the following:

• A National Police Certificate- $42.00 - $45.00
• A working with vulnerable people card/registration - $115.50
• Any additional vaccinations you may require, including serology to show previous immunisation history (costs will vary)

Please see our Course fees and additional payment information document for more information.

To achieve a Diploma of Nursing, 25 units must be completed. This is comprised of 20 core units, and 5 elective units.

The five elective units have been chosen as fulfilling the requirements of industry and endorsed accreditation.

Additional information relating to Enrolled Nursing can be found at https://www.anmac.org.au/

Industry placements are a required element of the HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing and are your first opportunity to gain firsthand experience in a varied range of health and care settings. You will acquire clinical experience in settings, such as private and public hospitals, community settings and aged care facilities.

Students are required to complete 12 weeks of work placement to obtain their HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing. This is completed over 2 blocks of 2 weeks, and 2 blocks each of 4 weeks. Each placement block requires fulltime shift work hours and an ability to travel to work placement location.

For more information on the above units, please visit https://training.gov.au/Training/Details/HLT54121

A graduate from a Diploma of Nursing program approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) is able to apply for registration with the NMBA as an enrolled nurse. Further information on registration is available at nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au

As an enrolled nurse, you may be able to work in a range of health settings such as:

• Acute care
• Chronic care
• Aged care
• Rehabilitation
• Community
• Mental health

Before submitting an Expression of Interest form, you are asked to review the comprehensive information presented on this page. Important information on the HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing course includes details of entry requirements, information sessions/group interviews, LLN, fees & payments and unit requirements for qualification.

1. Use the link below to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI). You must complete and submit this along with any required English Language information to start the application process.
2. A $10 application fee must be paid to finalise your expression of interest.
3. You will then be emailed log in information and details by our Student Support Team to access the mandatory Literacy, Language and Numeracy Test (LLN). The test can be undertaken more than once if necessary to achieve a passing grade.
4. Upon completion of the LLN test with a passing exit level, you will be invited to attend an in-person group interview at our HERC building in Hobart. Here you will be asked to first complete approximately 4 written short answer questions. You will then participate in a group information session, where you can introduce yourself to the education staff and other participants. This is your opportunity to extend on your reasoning for wanting to become an Enrolled Nurse.
5. Once all group interview sessions have been completed, the Education Manager in conjunction with the Student Support Team and the Educator of the upcoming group, will review all applications and determine the successful applicants.
6. If you are successful, you will receive a letter of offer with a return date. To confirm your place, this must be returned to the HERC team before the cut off date.