20 Best Nursing Schools in Australia|Tuition & Requirements

You didn’t just stumble on this post by mistake. You either want the best for the career you are trying to pursue a career in one of the best nursing schools in Australia.

Nursing is a gratifying career and a respectable one. It opens one up for employment opportunities with excellent earnings.

You might now wonder where to start as you aren’t sure which nursing school in Australia to apply to as an international student.

By choosing Australia, you will access valuable study information and land yourself a great school for your career or passion.

Here is a chance to learn more about the universities, as we have carefully listed the best nursing schools in Australia for you in this post.  

Perks of studying nursing in Australia

Australia has one of the best nursing programs worldwide and is highly recognized for the quality of education you can find, according to QR Ranking University by Subject 2020.

Most international students have made the country their home and have viewed nursing as a career still relevant in the future.

There are so many global opportunities in the profession for everyone who wishes to stay relevant in the future.

Pathways for bagging a Nursing career

To be considered a nurse, you are required to complete a diploma in nursing to bag a degree. Some of the career pathways are listed below:

  • Diploma in Nursing
  • Bachelor of Nursing
  • Masters’ degree in Nursing
  • PhD in Nursing.

However, you are sure to get a soft landing with Australia on the path you choose to follow.

Diploma in Nursing in Australia.

Not everyone wants to go straight into a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Others prefer to start by getting a diploma, which will increase their chances of applying for a degree in Australia as an international student. 

A nursing diploma course in Australia takes a minimum of 18 months and a maximum of 24 months.

The course equips one with relevant nursing knowledge, skills, and core competencies to be registered under the Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPN) and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

Nursing Schools in Australia Requirement

Be it a diploma, bachelor’s degree, master’s or PhD, all nursing schools in Australia have entry requirements that must be met before admission is secured. Most schools’ requirements are almost alike except otherwise.

Diploma in Nursing Requirements in Australia for International Students

To be considered for a diploma course to study in any of the nursing schools in Australia, there are some primary and general requirements for applying for nursing. 

  • Australia is an English speaking country, and as such, 7.0  or above is required. The prerequisite is endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. However, the IELTS results must not be less than 1 year (12 months) from the commencement of the application.  
  • International students are mandated to undertake a Maths test during the induction process. This tests their math skill/competency as endorsed by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council.
  • In case an international student fails the math test, they will be required to defer the diploma course in Nursing till a later date until successful.
  • Must have completed year 12 or its equivalent. Check here for details. 

Top Best Nursing Schools in Australia and Requirements by Qs University Ranking 2021

  • University of Technology Sydney
  • The University of Sydney
  • The University of Melbourne
  • School of Nursing and Midwifery Deakin University
  • Griffith University
  • Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
  • The University of Newcastle, Australia
  • The University of Adelaide
  • Monash University
  • University of South Australia
  • University of Queensland
  • Curtin University
  • Australian Catholic University
  • Flinders University
  • La Trobe University
  • University of Wollongong
  • Western Sydney University
  • Edith Cowan University
  • University of Canberra

Find their rank here. Now let us review just a few of these nursing schools in Australia.

# Monash University

Monash University for Nursing and Midwifery is a publicly recognised research university that offers quality education to top nursing schools in Australia for international students.

Its ranks number six (6) as the overall best nursing school in Australia according to the QR Ranking University by Subject 2020.

The university boast of two campuses spread across Peninsula and Clayton Campuses, offering medical/health sciences and other courses

Duration: Monash nursing school offers students a wide range of options in undergraduate nursing courses such as Bachelor of Nursing, a 3 years course, and Bachelor of Midwifery, a 4 years course.

Requirements for Entry

  • English Language test: International students are encouraged to score above 7.0 on their IELTS test score or 98 on TOEFL.
  • Diploma certificate for students who have undergone diploma certificate
  • International students are mandated to undertake a Maths test during the induction process. This tests their math skill/competency as endorsed by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council.
  • In case an international student fails the math test, they will be required to defer the diploma course in Nursing till a later date until successful.
  • Must have completed year 12 or its equivalent. Check here for details 

Fees

Getting acquainted with the fees at Monash University for Nursing and Midwifery is crucial and essential.

This will point you as an international student in the right direction. The annual cost is estimated at 41,000 AUD.

Scholarships

Monash university for Nursing and Midwifery offers about 200 scholarships for international students who may not be financially buoyant.

More information about the scholarship can be accessed here.

For more details, you can assess the university website here.

# University of South Australia

The University of South Australia is ranked as one of the best and most affordable nursing schools in Australia that offer quality and evidence-based education worldwide.

The school offers students the experience of gaining skills and competencies relevant to their career/ profession. 

Located in Magill, Australia, the University of South Australia ranked 326 worldwide according to the world university ranking 2022 and has campuses scattered across Australia.

The University of South Australia is known to offer more than two hundred (200) degrees across a whole lot of different courses. 

Duration: To bag a bachelor’s in nursing from the university of south Australia, one is expected to spend 3 years to be recognized by the nursing board. Going for a part-time degree, you will be spending a minimum of 6 years to bag a degree in nursing.

Program Requirements/ Entry

  • English Language requirements are either IELTS with a benchmark of 7.0 or TOEFL with an overall score of 96
  • Must have completed year 12 in home country or its equivalent
  • Diploma certificate for students who have undergone diploma certificate
  •  International students are mandated to undertake a Maths test during the induction process. This is to test their math skill/competency as endorsed by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council.
  • In case an international student fails the math test, he/she will be required to defer the diploma course in Nursing till a later date until successful.

Fees

To study nursing at the prestigious University of South Australia, you are expected to pay an estimated fee of $34,300 per year. This covers tuition and course credits.

Scholarships

The University of South Australia offers a wide range of opportunities to international students in form of scholarships to cover basic needs not only limited to international nursing students.

You can get more details on eligibility and course requirements here.

In other to get more information not listed above, you can visit the official school website

# University of Technology Sydney

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS)is a public university located in the heart of Sydney with innovation as its core competence. UTS is globally recognised for the kind of innovative research and teaching. 

On the world university ranking 2022 database, UTC rank 133 out of millions of universities worldwide.

This alone makes international student leave their home countries for Australia for a better and quality education. 

The university boosted 153 degrees with thousands of international students yearly to study nursing.

The University of Technology Sydney has a 21st-century structure and curriculum to deliver world-class lectures for students studying nursing.

Duration: To bag a bachelor’s in nursing from the university of south Australia, one is expected to spend 3 years to be recognized by the nursing board.

Going for a part-time degree, you will be spending a minimum of 6 years to bag a degree in nursing.

Program Requirements/ Entry

  • English Language requirements are either IELTS with a benchmark of 7.0 or TOEFL with an overall score of 96
  • Must have completed year 12 in their home country or its equivalent.
  • Diploma certificate for students who have undergone diploma certificate
  •  International students are mandated to undertake a Maths test during the induction process. This is to test their math skill/competency as endorsed by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council.
  • In case an international student fails the math test, he/she will be required to defer the diploma course in Nursing till a later date until successful.

Fees

To study nursing at UTS is between $20,000 to $35,000 per academic year. This is dependent on the location/campus.

In other to get more information not listed above, you can visit the official school website

# University of Queensland

The University of Queensland is known to pilot knowledge leadership for a better world not only in academics but by engaging with communities from the grassroots level to the international level.

Queensland has opened many opportunities for international students to study in Australia especially having a degree in nursing.

The University of Queensland has campuses in St. Lucia, Gatton, Herston and other locations across Australia.

The University of Queensland ranks among the top 50 worldwide with high-class facilities for impact learning.

Duration: To bag a bachelor’s in nursing from the university of south Australia, one is expected to spend 3 years to be recognized by the nursing board.

Going for a part-time degree, you will be spending a minimum of 6 years to bag a degree in nursing.

Program Requirements/ Entry

  • English Language requirements are either IELTS with a benchmark of 7.0 or TOEFL with an overall score of 96
  • Must have completed year 12 in their home country or its equivalent.
  • Diploma certificate for students who have undergone diploma certificate
  •  International students are mandated to undertake a Maths test during the induction process. This is to test their math skill/competency as endorsed by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council.
  • In case an international student fails the math test, he/she will be required to defer the diploma course in Nursing till a later date until successful.

Fees

The comprehensive breakdown of fees for international students is broken down here

In other to get more information not listed above, you can visit the official school website

# School of Nursing and Midwifery Deakin University

Deakin’s School of Nursing and Midwifery – is one of the largest nursing schools in Australia and is highly recognized as one of the top schools worldwide.

The school is ranked among the top 30 nursing schools in the world and as such, the students are open to so many opportunities upon graduation as they are in high demand.

Duration: To bag a bachelor’s in nursing from the university of south Australia, one is expected to spend 3 years to be recognized by the nursing board.

Going for a part-time degree, you will be spending a minimum of 6 years to bag a degree in nursing.

Program Requirements/ Entry

  • English Language requirements are either IELTS with a benchmark of 7.0 or TOEFL with an overall score of 96
  • Must have completed year 12 in home country or its equivalent
  • Diploma certificate for students who have undergone diploma certificate
  •  International students are mandated to undertake a Maths test during the induction process. This is to test their math skill/competency as endorsed by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council.
  • In case an international student fails the math test, he/she will be required to defer the diploma course in Nursing till a later date until successful.

Fees

All enquiries regarding fees and scholarships can be accessed through this link

In other to get more information not listed above, you can visit the official school website

Cheap and Affordable Nursing Schools in Australia

Other schools you can consider checking include and are not limited to the following

+ University of Sunshine Coast

+ University of Divinity

+ University of Canberra

+ Southern Cross University

+ Victoria University

+ James Cook University

+ Western Sydney University

+ Charles Darwin University

+ Australian Catholic University

+ University of New England

+ Griffith University

+ Edith Cowan University

+ RMIT University

Scholarships for International Students

Sometimes it is quite difficult for international students to afford tuition fees as most nursing schools in Australia increased tuition fees for international students.

Nursing schools in Australia are not left out. 

There are scholarship programs put in place to cater for international students based on merits and financial grounds. 

For more Australia scholarship updates, you can get important information about studying in Australia. 

Secure your finances to study in Australia

One good thing about studying in Australia as an international is that you will be given a permit to work if you so wish. Most international students work during weekends or run shifts as a way of earning income to help in their studies.

You must make sure it doesn’t interfere with your grades as keeping it up is important.

Start Your Application

Knowing if you are eligible before starting your application journey is vital and key. You need to double-check and be sure that you possess the eligibility criteria and requirements.

Most nursing schools in Australia have a similar requirement.

However, to be on the safer side, always check the school website for full details on what and what is expected to be submitted.

Make sure your supporting documents are handy such as your Nursing diploma if you have one, English Language certificate, high school diploma, motivation letter, passport etc.

Getting a Student Visa in Australia

This is one final and most important step in your nursing application journey to Australia.

You have applied for a student visa and make sure you ace your interview after which you will be considered for a student visa which will temporarily allow you to study in Australia.

To be more familiar with the specific details of visa application, the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs is ready to assist you.

As a requirement for visa application, any of the nursing schools in Australia to which you applied will supply you with an electronic confirmation of enrolment after you have paid the first tranche of your tuition fee.

Among a host of other documents for visa application, you are also expected to submit an English proficiency certificate, valid passport, documents showing financial proofs, high school certificates etc.

Non-adherence to the specific information on the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs will lead to automatic cancellation. What are your thoughts about these nursing schools in Australia? Please comment below.

Good luck as you embark on this journey!

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