The Bachelor of Nursing is currently one of the most popular study and migration pathways in Australia.
With Australia’s ageing population continuing to grow, demand for Registered Nurses (RNs) remains strong across the healthcare sector. As a result, Nursing has long been recognised as a profession with stable employment prospects and strong migration opportunities, leading increasing numbers of international students to pursue a Bachelor of Nursing in Australia.
However, for some students, the English language requirements for direct entry into a nursing degree can be challenging.
Fortunately, many Australian universities offer a Health Science Diploma (or equivalent pathway program) as an alternative entry route. After completing the diploma, students may progress into the second year of a Bachelor of Nursing program.
A Health Science Diploma pathway may be suitable for students who:
- Have not yet met the English language requirements for direct entry into a Bachelor of Nursing
- Do not currently meet the academic requirements for direct admission to a nursing degree
- Would like to gradually adapt to the Australian university learning environment
These pathway programs not only help students strengthen their academic skills but also provide an opportunity to study foundational health and medical sciences before entering the nursing degree.
Below is a summary of common nursing pathway programs and their corresponding universities to help students explore different study options.
Recommended Australian Nursing Pathway Universities
The following institutions offer progression pathways from a Health Science Diploma (or equivalent) to a Bachelor of Nursing.
(Listed in no particular order.)
1、University of Adelaide
| Pathway Program | Eynesbury College Diploma of Health Science Stage 2 |
| Duration | 8 months or 12 months |
| Intake | February and June (Adelaide City Campus) |
| English Requirement | IELTS 6.5 in all bands, or PTE Academic 58 in all communicative skills (packaged English pathway available) |
| Official Course Information:
https://www.eynesbury.edu.au/programs/international/diploma-programs/health-science/ |
|
| Progression Degree | Bachelor of Nursing |
| Duration | Diploma graduates receive credit for 3 courses. The remaining study duration is 3 years, which may be accelerated to 2.5 years. |
| Intake | February（Adelaide City, Mount Gambier and Whyalla） |
| Official Course Information:
https://adelaideuni.edu.au/study/degrees/bachelor-of-nursing/ |
|
2、La Trobe University
| Pathway Program | Diploma of Health Sciences |
| Duration | 8 months or 12 months |
| Intake | February, June and October (Melbourne Campus) |
| English Requirement | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, or PTE Academic 58 overall with no communicative skill below 50 (10-week English pathway available) |
| Official Course Information:
https://www.latrobecollegeaustralia.edu.au/study-options/diplomas/health-sciences/ |
|
| Progression Degree | Bachelor of Nursing (Year 2 Entry) |
| Intake | March |
| Campus | Melbourne (Bundoora), Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Shepparton and Mildura |
| Official Course Information:
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/courses/bachelor-of-nursing#/overview?location=BU&studentType=int&year=2027 |
|
3、Griffith University
| Pathway Program | Diploma of Health Care |
| Duration | 8 months or 12 months |
| Intake | March (Gold Coast Campus) |
| English Requirement | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, or PTE Academic 58 overall with no communicative skill below 50 (packaged English pathway available) |
| Official Course Information:
https://www.griffithcollege.edu.au/study-options/diplomas/health-care/ |
|
| Progression Degree | Bachelor of Nursing (Year 2 Entry) |
| Intake | March |
| Campus | Gold Coast, Logan and Nathan |
| Official Course Information:
https://www.griffith.edu.au/study/degrees/bachelor-of-nursing-1162 |
|
4、Southern Cross University
| Pathway Program | Diploma of Health |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Intake | February (Gold Coast Campus) |
| English Requirement | IELTS 6.5 in all bands or PTE Academic 58 in all communicative skills (English pathway available for IELTS 6.0 in all bands) |
| Official Course Information:
https://www.scu.edu.au/study-at-scu/courses/diploma-of-health-2125150/ |
|
| Progression Degree | Bachelor of Nursing (Year 2 Entry) |
| Intake | January (Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour and Lismore) |
| English Requirement | IELTS 7.0 overall with Writing 6.5 and 7.0 in the other three bands; or PTE Academic 66 overall with Writing 56 and 66 in the other communicative skills (score combination accepted across two tests completed within 12 months) |
| Official Course Information:
https://www.scu.edu.au/study-at-scu/courses/bachelor-of-nursing-3005105/ |
|
5、Queensland University of Technology
| Pathway Program | Diploma in Health Care (Nursing) |
| Duration | 8 months or 12 months |
| Intake | February, July and November (Kelvin Grove Campus) |
| English Requirement | IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5, or PTE Academic 50 overall with no communicative skill below 46 |
| Official Course Information:
https://www.qut.edu.au/courses/diploma-in-health-science-nursing |
|
| Progression Degree | Bachelor of Nursing |
| Duration | Students commencing in February generally complete the remaining degree in 2.5 years; July entrants generally complete in 2 years. |
| Intake | February and July (Kelvin Grove Campus) |
| English Requirement | IELTS 7.0 overall with Writing 6.5 and 7.0 in all other bands; or PTE Academic 66 overall with Writing 58 and 66 in all other communicative skills (score combination accepted) |
| Official Course Information:
https://www.qut.edu.au/courses/bachelor-of-nursing?international |
|
6、Edith Cowan University (ECU)
| Pathway Program | Diploma of Health Science Year 2 |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Intake | February and July (Joondalup Campus) |
| English Requirement | IELTS 6.5 in all bands or PTE Academic 58 in all communicative skills (no packaged English pathway available) |
| Official Course Information:
https://www.edithcowancollege.edu.au/courses/diplomas/health-science/Nursing |
|
| Progression Degree | Bachelor of Science (Nursing) (Year 2 Entry) |
| Intake & Campus | February and July (Joondalup Campus); February intake also available at South West Campus |
| English Requirement | IELTS 7.0 overall with Writing 6.5 and 7.0 in the other three bands; or PTE Academic 66 overall with Writing 56 and 66 in the other communicative skills (score combination accepted across two tests completed within 12 months) |
| Official Course Information:
https://www.ecu.edu.au/degrees/courses/bachelor-of-science-nursing |
|
7、Curtin University
| Pathway Program | Diploma of Health Sciences (Nursing) |
| Duration | Stage 2，12 months |
| Intake | February (Curtin Bentley Campus) |
| English Requirement | IELTS 6.5 in all bands, or PTE Academic 58 in all communicative skills (no packaged English pathway available) |
| Official Course Information:
https://www.curtincollege.edu.au/courses/diplomas/health-sciences/nursing |
|
| Progression Degree | Bachelor of Science (Advanced Nursing) (Year 2 Entry) |
| Duration | The standard duration of the degree is 3.5 years. After progressing from the diploma pathway, students will generally complete the remaining 2.5 years. |
| Intake & Campus | February (Perth, Albany and Kalgoorlie Campuses) |
| English Requirement | IELTS 7.0 in all bands, or PTE Academic 66 overall with Writing 65 and 66 in the other communicative skills (score combination not accepted) |
| Official Course Information:
https://www.curtin.edu.au/study/offering/course-ug-bachelor-of-science-advanced-nursing–b-advnurs/ |
|
Overall, the pathway from a Health Science Diploma (or equivalent) to a Bachelor of Nursing is a common and flexible study option for students who wish to pursue nursing in Australia.
This pathway allows students to enter the Australian higher education system before meeting the higher English language requirements typically associated with nursing programs and continue into a nursing degree upon successful completion of the pathway program.
