Nursing

Nursing is a respected and growing industry that is essential for the health of the community. Our Diploma course prepares you to work as an Enrolled Nurse under the supervision of a registered nurse in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, aged care, primary health, GP clinics, community settings and mental health.

CIT’s Diploma of Nursing is fully accredited by the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC). This means, when you complete your studies at CIT, you will be eligible to apply for your Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration to become an Enrolled Nurse right away!

Industry Placement

You are required to complete 400 hours of Professional Experience Placement (PEP) to successfully complete the course and to satisfy Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA’s) requirements for your qualification.

You will be required to work shifts determined by your placement provider and this will be between Monday to Friday morning, afternoon and night shifts. Some facilities may schedule placements on weekends and public holidays.

Shift times are generally between 7am and 10pm, unless you are rostered for night duty, which is 9pm–7:30 am.

Completing placement is compulsory, and you will be expected to manage family and work commitments to complete your shifts.

Placements are provided in areas such as: Acute Care, Aged Care, Mental Health Rehabilitation, Community Nursing and Palliative Care.

All placements are organised by CIT, and we will place you at a chosen industry provider.

Important note: A student who is pregnant cannot attend Professional Experience Placement for a period commencing six (6) weeks prior to the estimated date of delivery. A student can return to placement six (6) weeks after the actual date of birth, provided they submit a doctor's letter of fitness from a registered medical practitioner confirming they are fit to return to nursing duties.

Why study nursing at CIT?

  • Ultramodern, on-campus training hospital facility
  • Clinical industry placement fully coordinated by CIT
  • Fully accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)
  • Be eligible to apply for your Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration to become an Enrolled Nurse right away!
  • Many job opportunities in Canberra and throughout Australia
  • The training of Nursing professionals at CIT is led by teachers whose inspiration and expertise prepares students for their future caring role and a rewarding career. Take a look at how CIT are preparing work ready nurses.
  • Course Details
    Course/s

    Diploma of Nursing | HLT54121
    CRICOS: 112865H

  • Course Duration
    Duration

    TOTAL CIT PACKAGE: 1.5 years
    Diploma of Nursing: 1.5 years including a combination of online learning, face-to-face learning and skill development in the Simulated Laboratory (3- 4 days per week in class and simulated labs). Includes mandatory Professional experience placement.

  • Course Intake
    Intake

    2026 Semester 1 (July, October)

    2027 Semester 1 (February, April)

    2027 Semester 2 (July, October)

    Please note that places in this course are limited.

    To be considered for enrolment, you must have met all offer conditions, provided all required signed documentation, and paid the required tuition fees.

    Enrolment will only be confirmed once a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) has been issued or Confirmation of Application Completion has been issued.

    CIT reserves the right to withdraw an offer if the maximum number of students is reached prior to your confirmation of enrolment or confirmation of application completion being issued.

  • Course Campus
    Campus

    CIT Bruce

  • Course Fees
    Fees*

    Tuition Fees:

    2026: $9,940 per semester (Total qualifications tuition fees $29,820)

    2027: $10,440 per semester (Total qualifications tuition fees $31,320)

    Extra Fees:

    Material fees

    Term 3 2026 : $5900

    Term 4 2026 : $6,519

    2027: $6,845

    Nursing kit approx. $105

    • CIT student Scrubs: approx. $58 (1 scrub top)
    • Clinical skills books & Placement books approx. $150
    • Need to purchase black shoes and pants, costs will vary depending on the type of brand purchased
    • You will be provided with a recommended reading list and/or required textbooks during orientation or at the start of each subject. The purchase of these resources may incur additional costs.

    First Aid Training: $150– $250

    Police check from the Australian Federal Police* $56 approx.

    Working With Vulnerable People Check: $157 approx.

    *Note: A police check with a disclosure may prevent Professional experience placement and therefore affect your entry and/or progress in the course.

    • *Please note - Course fees are listed in $AUD and are based on a semester rate. Total course cost will vary depending on semester start date. Small tuition and material fee increases may occur annually in line with CIT's fee pricing review. Fees are subject to change.

  • *Please note - Course fees are listed in $AUD and are based on a semester rate. Total course cost will vary depending on semester start date. Small tuition and material fee increases may occur annually in line with CIT's fee pricing review. Fees are subject to change.

  • Entry Requirements

    Academic requirements:

    • You must be at least 18 years of age to apply for this qualification.
    • Year 12 Certificate (or equivalent) with at least a “C” grade average in English and Maths (completed within the last 10 years) Please provide evidence of your most recent and highest completed level of completed studies.
    • Language, literacy, numeracy and digital (LLND) - Australian Core Skills Framework literacy levels of at least 4 across reading, writing, learning, oral communication. Administered by CIT International after application submission.
    • ACT Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) Card – Evidence of application submission $157 approx.
    • A police check – from the Australian Federal Police for “Code 8” - Hospital Employment ($56 approx) – Evidence of application submission (Digital Certificate).

    Pre-placement compliance documentation:

    • *Pre- placement documentation is required to be provided and approved by the Nursing Department no later than Week 1 of study.
    • All placements are organised by CIT at a chosen industry provider.
    • Inherent Nursing requirements (PDF, 290.84 KB)
    • FAQ for Diploma of Nursing (PDF, 731.1 KB)
    • A police check – from the Australian Federal Police for “Code 8” - Hospital Employment ($56 approx)
    • ACT Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) Card (front and back) $157 approx.
    • A letter from a General Practitioner confirming fitness to work as a nurse (cost of a general consultation) - please use letter from this link General practitioner's letter (PDF, 452.56 KB)
    • Evidence of current immunisation status for the following:
      • Hepatitis B with titre
      • Measles, Mumps, Rubella  (MMR)
      • Varicella (chicken pox)
      • Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (dTpa) - (Evidence of one adult vaccine within the last 10 years
      • Influenza - An annual influenza vaccination is required for placements taking place between 1 June and 30 September each year.
      • Tuberculosis – (TB) screening - Students are required to undergo a Tuberculosis (TB) screening prior to their first clinical placement.
      • Covid-19 vaccination – evidence of 3 vaccinations
    • (up to $400 approx.) CIT Vaccination Card (PDF, 351.99 KB)
    • First Aid certificate (HLTAID011) required to be valid ($150-$250 approx.)

    English requirements:

    ENGLISH REQUIREMENT for tests taken on or before 22 April 2026:

    Cambridge - C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Paper and computer at test centre only)

    Minimum score of:

    • 185 in listening, reading and speaking, and
    • 176 in writing.

    IELTS – Academic paper and computer at test centre only.

    Overall score of 7 comprising of a minimum score of:

    • 7 for listening, reading and speaking, and
    • 6.5 for writing.

    OET – (On paper or computer based in testing centre). Any profession-specific OET test can be accepted.

    Minimum overall score not applicable.

    • Minimum score of B for listening, reading and speaking
    • Minimum score of C+ for writing.

    PTE Academic (Computer at test centre only)

    Minimum overall score of 66 comprising of a minimum score of:

    • 66 for the following communicative skills: listening, reading and speaking, and
    • 56 for the communicative skill: writing.

    TOEFL iBT (Computer at test centre only)

    Minimum total score of 94 with the following minimum band scores:

    • 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 24 for writing, and 23 for speaking

    For further information on eligibility to submit a maximum of two test sittings in a 12-month period, please refer to: AHPRA's accepted English language tests.

    ENGLISH REQUIREMENT for tests taken on or after 23 April 2026:

    Cambridge - C1 Advanced (Paper and computer at test centre only)

    Minimum score of 178 with the following minimum band scores:

    • Listening 175, Reading 179, Writing 180 and Speaking 194

    Cambridge - C2 Proficiency (Paper and computer at test centre only)

    Minimum score of 185 overall with the following band scores:

    • minimum score of 185 in listening, reading and speaking, and
    • minimum score of 176 in writing.

    IELTS - Academic paper and computer at test centre only

    Overall score of 7 with a minimum score of:

    • 7 in listening, reading and speaking and,
    • 6.5 in writing.

    OET - On paper or computer based in testing centre. Any profession-specific OET test can be accepted.

    Minimum overall score not applicable.

    • Minimum band score of: Listening 350, Reading 360, Writing 350 and Speaking 360

    PTE Academic - Computer at test centre only.

    Minimum overall score of 63 with the following minimum band scores: Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 60 and Speaking 76.

    TOEFL iBT - Computer at test centre only.

    Minimum total score of 91 with a minimum score of: Listening 22, Reading 22, Writing 23 and Speaking 24.

    For further information on eligibility to submit a maximum of two test sittings in a 12-month period, please refer to: AHPRA's accepted English language tests.

    The below listed documents are useful tools to assist you with your Nursing applications process, these documents are located on the:

    Students who achieve an overall IELTS 6.5 (Academic) may apply for the  Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) or Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) which may provide a pathway into the Diploma of Nursing.

    Students who achieve an overall IELTS 6.0 (Academic) may apply for the Certificate IV in Mental Health which may provide a pathway into the Diploma of Nursing.

    Upon completion of the Certificate III in Individual Support program or Certificate IV in Mental Health program, students must sit an IELTS test and meet the Diploma of Nursing English proficiency requirement as listed above.

    All students will be registered with AHPRA for the duration of the course.

    This course has three mandatory clinical industry placements (400 hours in total). Provided in areas such as: Acute Care, Aged Care, Mental Health Rehabilitation, Community Nursing and Palliative Care. Before any clinical placements can commence, you will have to provide: a doctor's certificate (to say you are fit to undertake nursing duties); evidence of commencement of required vaccinations; a First Aid Certificate valid for the duration of the course and a completed police check. CIT teachers will arrange all placements.

  • Course Subjects - Diploma

    Diploma of Nursing | HLT54121

    Complete all subjects in each stage before moving to the next stage. This course has a mandatory industry placement. Studies cannot be undertaken without concurrent professional placement experience.

    Stage 1:

    • HLTINF006 Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
    • BSBMED301 Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
    • HLTENN036 Apply communication skills in nursing practice
    • HLTENN045 Implement and monitor care of the older person
    • HLTENN035 Practise nursing within the Australian health care system
    • HLTAAP002 Confirm physical health status
    • HLTENN037 Perform clinical assessment and contribute to planning nursing care
    • HLTENN038 Implement, monitor, and evaluate nursing care plan
    • HLTWHS002 Follow safe work practices for direct client care
    • HLTWHS006 Manage personal stressors in the work environment

    Stage 2:

    • HLTENN041 Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice
    • HLTENN044 Implement and monitor care for a person with chronic health conditions
    • HLTENN042 Implement and monitor care for a person with mental health conditions
    • HLTENN039 Apply principles of wound management
    • HLTAAP003 Analyse and respond to client health information
    • HLTENN043 Implement and monitor care for a person with acute health conditions (Part One)
    • CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
    • CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
    • HLTENN040 Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy – Part 1

    Stage 3:

    • HLTENN043 Implement and monitor care for a person with acute health conditions (Part One)
    • HLTENN040 Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy (Part two)
    • CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice
    • HLTENN068 Provide end of life care and a palliative approach in nursing practice
    • HLTENN047 Apply nursing practice in the primary health care setting
    • HLTENN057 Contribute to nursing care of a person with diabetes
    • CHCPOL003 Research and apply evidence to practice
  • Likely Job Outcome

    Work as an Enrolled Nurse after registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

  • Teaching Methods and Assessment

    Study is conducted in the Simulated Work Environment (SLE) where students will practice skills and perform assessments prior to industry placements, for example, personal care, manual handling, performing vital signs and administering medications. Study modes also include clinical placements (work experience), self-directed learning and online learning and student engagement through e-Learn.

    Students are assessed in various ways. Students must complete class work, assignments, practical components and project work throughout a course. They may then be assessed using a combination of these tasks. Assessment outcomes may be based on proving competence in various clinical skills, successfully completing theory-based quizzes and assignments and projects, or a combination of all four assessment methods.