Entry Requirements

International Student Entry Requirements

All International students must apply through an approved Education Agent (refer to Find an Agent on our website).

* Please Note: Any information Open Colleges School of Health (the School) provides to prospective students regarding the HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing qualification is subject to the School being approved by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) to deliver that course.

The minimum entry requirements for this course are as follows. You will need to:

• Be 18 years of age or over;
• Have successfully completed the overseas equivalent to an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (Year 12);
• Complete one of the following English language proficiency tests and meet the requirements for test results:

o IELTS (Academic module) test and achieved a result of 7.0 overall and 7.0 in each component from one test sitting; or a maximum of two (2) test sittings in a six month period only if you achieve a minimum overall score of 7.0 in each sitting and you achieve a minimum score of 7.0 in each component across the two sittings with no score in any component of the test being below 6.5

o OET Online test and achieved a result of B overall and B in each of the four components from one test sitting; or a maximum of two (2) test sittings in any six month period only if you are testing in all four components in each sitting and

achieve a minimum score of B in each component across the two sittings and no score in any component of the test is below C

o PTE Academic test and achieved a result of 65 overall and 65 in each of the 4 components in one test sitting; or a maximum of two (2) test sittings in any six month period only if a minimum overall score of 65 is achieved in each sitting and you achieve a minimum score of 65 in each of the communicative skills across the two sittings with no score in any of the communicative skills being below 58

o TOEFL iBT test and achieved a result of 94 overall and 24 in listening, 24 in reading, 27 in writing and 23 in speaking from one test sitting; or a maximum of two (2) test sittings in any six month period only if a minimum total score of 94 is achieved in each sitting and you achieve a minimum score of 24 in listening, 24 in reading, 27 in writing and 23 in speaking across the two sittings and the score is not below 20 for listening, 19 for reading, 24 for writing and 20 for speaking in either of the tests.

• Complete an online test to assess your Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills against the standard levels of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF)
• Provide a declaration regarding your ability to meet the core skill requirements of an Enrolled Nurse (refer to Inherent Requirements below for further information).
• Complete a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) assessment, including evidence of financial capacity to study and live in Australia for the duration of your course
• Provide evidence of the required Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your course.
• Meet the Australian Department of Home Affairs eligibility criteria for a Student Visa to Australia
• Reside in either South Australia or Western Australia for the duration of your course

Click here for more information about the required English language standards.

Inherent Requirements

Nursing can be a physically and emotionally demanding profession; therefore, it is important that Students possess a certain level of physical fitness and capacity to undertake the tasks and duties required of Enrolled Nurses. To work in the industry, the following skills need to be considered, but are not limited to: Observational, Communication, Technical and/or Motor, Cognitive/Intellectual, Behavioural and Social skills.

Students will be given the opportunity to discuss any concerns or challenges they may have meeting the physical or emotional demands of nursing, during the applicant interview. A full list of Inherent Requirements, for the role of an Enrolled Nurse are evident on the School website and in the Course Guide and will be provided to the student for consideration during the applicant interview. At any point in the course, including before enrolment, a declaration of an impairment or health issue that would, or be likely to, affect the student’s capacity to undertake clinical skills in a simulated environment or clinical placement, will require evidence from a qualified medical professional, demonstrating fitness for practice or outline any physical restrictions.

Prior to Professional Experience Placement (PEP), students will be required to self-declare that they are fit to undertake the role of a nursing student including (but not limited to) the full list of Inherent Requirements.

The following information is designed to assist a student in making an informed decision about undertaking a nursing career. It outlines the skills and abilities needed to successfully complete the course.

To work in the industry area identified, the following skills need to be considered:

Observational skills – this includes the ability to:

• Notice changes in people’s behaviour, people’s capability, and the work environment
• Observe and detect changes in patients’ physical conditions
• Identify safety hazards and risks in the workplace
• Observe and understand non-verbal cues (facial expressions and body language)
• Identify signs of verbal distress and / or aggression

Communication skills – this includes the ability to:

• Communicate effectively, using appropriate respectful language, with a diverse range of people including understanding and responding to verbal and non- verbal communication
• Use Active listening skills
• Ability to construct accurate, clear, and logical written communication
• Read, understand, and follow written and verbal instructions
• Use technology to communicate (e.g. computer for reports, emails, documents) and work within the multi-disciplinary team

Technical and/or Motor skills – this includes the ability to:

• Deal with the physical demands of manual tasks (e.g. bending, squatting, kneeling, crouching, repetitive movements, carrying, reaching, grasping, pushing, turning, manipulating objects)
• Sufficient manual dexterity and use of fine motors skills to undertake manual tasks (pinch, squeeze, press)
• Be on your feet for extended periods of time, both walking and standing
• Use equipment and other technology (e.g. computers, push wheelchairs, manual handling equipment)
• Have sufficient vision and hearing to safely perform the required range of skills (e.g. differentiate sounds that may alert you of a problem - alarms, calls)
• Deal with body fluids (e.g. urine, faeces, blood)

Cognitive / Intellectual skills – this includes the ability to:

• Gather, understand, organise, recall, and communicate information
• Use appropriate judgement and basic problem-solving skills to respond to situations
• Understand other people’s perspectives / opinions and respect their choices
• Understand and use maths effectively (e.g. measurements, calculations, 24-hour clock)
• Maintain a sufficient level of concentration to complete an activity / task in a safe manner and within reasonable timeframes
• Apply and integrate knowledge to practice

Behavioural and Social skills – this includes the ability to:

• Demonstrate patience and willingness to work with a variety of people
• Able to work under pressure and adapt to change
• Demonstrate professional behaviours (e.g. punctuality, maintaining confidentiality and respect personal boundaries) and take responsibility for own actions – including use of social media
• Control your emotions and reactions and withhold personal opinions
• Tolerate proximity with individuals and be able to interact with all genders
• Demonstrate a high level of personal hygiene and maintain a neat professional appearance.

Professional Experience Placement (PEP) Pre-Requisites

As part of this Diploma you will be required to complete at least three Professional Experience Placements (PEP) totalling a minimum of 400 hours (12 weeks) in a variety of settings.

The placements will give you the opportunity to develop your clinical skills in a real-world setting, and to gain valuable on-the-job experience. Placements are arranged, fully facilitated and supported by Open Colleges School of Health.

Please note that placements are full-time, unpaid and rostered according to standard industry shifts, which may include night shifts, weekends and/or public holidays on rosters of up to 7 days.

Prior to placement you will need to provide evidence of meeting all of the following pre-requisites:

• A clear and unencumbered Criminal History check
• A current immunisation record with evidence of up-to-date vaccinations and/or immunity as per the Australian Government Department of Health’s recommended vaccinations for Healthcare workers and any State Government Health Department requirements
• A current First Aid Certificate (HLTAID011) – completed as per your course timetable
• A current Manual Handling Certificate – completed as per your course timetable
• Satisfactory completion of COVID-19 online learning modules in accordance with State Health Department requirements
• A self-declaration that you are fit to undertake the role of a nursing student including but not limited to your ability to meet the core skill requirements of an Enrolled Nurse (refer to Inherent Requirements)
• Completion of any State Health Department and/or Host Facility requirements, including but not limited to:

o relevant electronic health records system training – completed as per your course timetable.