Nursing Courses in Australia

Quick answer

International students can become an Enrolled Nurse through the Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121, with at least 400 hours of placement) or a Registered Nurse through an approved Bachelor of Nursing or a graduate-entry Master of Nursing (at least 800 placement hours). To work as a nurse you must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) through Ahpra, which for tests taken from 23 April 2026 needs IELTS 7 overall with 7 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing, or an equivalent OET, PTE or TOEFL score. Registered Nurse occupations are on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List, and ANMAC is the skills assessing authority.

Nursing Courses at a Glance

Course Options by Study Level

Enrolled Nurse or Registered Nurse?

An Enrolled Nurse works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and qualifies through the Diploma of Nursing. A Registered Nurse qualifies through a bachelor or master's program at AQF level 7 or above. For migration, Registered Nurse occupations are on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List, while Enrolled Nurse is on the Short-term list. That means an Enrolled Nurse cannot use the Post-Vocational Education Work stream of the 485 visa, which needs an occupation on the Medium and Long-term list.

English Requirements Changed in 2026

The NMBA English language skills standard applies to registration, not just to course entry. For tests taken on or after 23 April 2026, IELTS writing can be 6.5 instead of 7, and PTE needs 63 overall with writing 60. Tests taken on or before 22 April 2026 are judged against the earlier scores. At-home versions of tests are not accepted. Check your university's entry requirement as well, because it may differ.

Choosing a Nursing Course

• Make sure the program is approved by the NMBA. Only approved programs lead to registration.
• Ask where clinical placements happen and whether they are arranged for you.
• Graduate-entry Master of Nursing programs suit students with a degree in another field, such as science or health.

Careers and Skilled Occupation Lists

These nursing occupations are linked to nursing courses. List status is from our Occupation Finder data, checked 15 October 2026.

Lists: MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List), STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List), ROL (Regional Occupation List), CSOL (Core Skills Occupation List for the 482 and 186 visas). Check any occupation in our Occupation Finder.

How to Start

1. Choose your course and levelTell us your previous study, English results, budget and career goal. We shortlist courses and providers that fit.
2. Check NMBA approval and EnglishConfirm the program is NMBA approved, and plan to reach the registration English score before you graduate.
3. Check the provider on CRICOSInternational students must study a course registered on CRICOS. The CRICOS duration also matters for the 485 visa, which needs at least 2 academic years (92 weeks) of study in Australia over at least 16 months.
4. Apply and accept your offerApply with your documents, accept the offer, pay the deposit and arrange Overseas Student Health Cover. The provider then issues your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
5. Apply for your Student visaLodge your Student visa (subclass 500) with evidence of funds, English and the Genuine Student requirement. Since 2 October 2026 most applicants must apply from outside Australia. See our Student visa guide.

How Aussie ASEAN Can Help

We compare NMBA-approved nursing programs, check credit for previous study, and help with your application and Student visa. When you graduate, our Registered Migration Agent can plan your 485 visa, ANMAC assessment and skilled visa options.

Free tools for students

Related courses and visas

Sources: HLT54121 on training.gov.au · NMBA English language skills · Ahpra accepted English tests · ANMAC Registered Nurse standards · ANMAC skilled migrants