FAQs

Your Diploma of Nursing allows you to work as an enrolled nurse (once registered with AHPRA) in the aged care, acute (hospital), sub-acute (rehabilitation) and mental health fields, in either private or public facilities. Once enrolled as a nurse with AHPRA you will be able to complete an Advanced Diploma of Nursing or Bachelors of Nursing. Nursing opportunities are available throughout Australia and also overseas

You may be able to receive up to 12 months’ worth of study credits toward a Bachelors of Nursing (undergraduate) degree at many tertiary providers.

We offer course from Certificate III level to the Advanced Diploma level (Level 2 – Level 6 AQF).

AHPRA is governed by Health Practitioner Regulation Nation; they regulate 16 health professions under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme. AHPRA also supports the 15 National Boards that regulate all health professions in Australia. Their primary role is to protect the public by regulating and enforcing the set standards and policies that all registered health practitioners must meet.

All diploma of nursing graduates who wish to work as an enrolled nurse must register with AHPRA upon successful completion of their studies.

To learn more about AHPRA visit their website

A PCA is an employee who works under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse, whilst performing nursing duties.

Other similar titles include Aged Care Worker (ACW), Assistant in Nursing (AIN), Care Support Employee (CSE) and Health Services Assistance (HSA).

As a PCA you will perform duties such as assisting with patient care and the activities of daily living; attending to patient’s personal hygiene needs such as showering & toileting; restocking and looking after equipment and helping patients move / reposition. This is done under the direction of an RN or EN.

You will have a career pathway to a Certificate IV in Aged Care, a Diploma of Nursing, or to continue further studies to become a RN with a Bachelors of Nursing.

Most PCA positions require qualifications such as a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance or Certificate III in Individual Support.

Registered Nurses have:

Three years study at University to achieve a Bachelor Degree in Nursing and are registered with AHPRA. RN’s have a higher level of accountability and more responsibility than EN or PCA. RN’s, EN’s and PCA’s are regulated by AHPRA.

Roles may include administration, team leader or unit manager duties, medication administration, assessment and management of the client including complex nursing care, specialised nursing care or undertaking research.

The national competency standards give certain responsibilities exclusively to RNs and midwives, giving them more autonomy in their practice decisions than other nurses. RNs and midwives are then responsible for ensuring the quality of the work through their involvement in teaching, competence assessment, supervision and the evaluation of clients’ outcomes.

EEN – Endorsed Enrolled Nurse

Due to changes in the nursing sector those who hold the old Certificate IV nursing qualification are considered an EN without medications.

Endorsed Enrolled Nurses have completed further medication endorsement to their training. EEN’s, who are authorised, may administer Schedule 2, 3, 4 and 8 medications via all routes, except intravenous, epidural, intraventricular and intrathecal. Any medication, which requires checking prior to administration, must be checked with a Registered Nurse or Midwife.

EEN’s are further excluded from administering fluids or medications via CVC lines, PICC lines, Femoral lines, implanted devices or Arterial lines.

They can however, check change and titrate intravenous therapy solutions that have not had any medications/substances added.

EEN’s with oral medications, who do not have IV medications can undertake the unit HLTENN007 – Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy.

EN’s undertake an 18 month or 2 year course with an approved provider to achieve a Diploma in Nursing and are then eligible for registration with AHPRA.

An Enrolled Nurse works under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse. The supervision may be direct or indirect according to the nature of the work delegated to the enrolled nurse. At all times, the enrolled nurse retains responsibility for his/her actions, and remains accountable in providing delegated nursing care.

ENs contribute to care planning but may not act independently, as the RN or midwife retains overall responsibility. For example, when ENs accept a delegation, they may not re-delegate that activity to another person.

An EN is not qualified to become a midwife – without further undergraduate Nursing studies.

Some of the roles Enrolled nurses in Australian hospitals perform (under the supervision of a RN) include:

• Maintain patients healthcare by observing, measuring and recording patients’ temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and, when necessary, blood sugar levels, and report changes in patients’ condition to doctors
• Assist with bathing, showering, dressing and bed making to ensure patients’ hygiene and comfort
• Feed patients when required, and support patients during rehabilitation with exercises and programs
• Assist in first aid and emergency situations
• Help educate patients on health and lifestyle issues
  Help maintain a safe environment and help minimalise injuries

Personal care attendants (PCAs) help disabled, chronically ill and cognitively challenged older people. Some personal care attendants simply assist recently released patients who have short-term needs. In many cases, they take care of these clients in their homes.

They may also provide their services in hospices or other medical facilities to keep clients involved in community activities.

Their presence is often required for the elderly or the physically and/or mentally disabled who need more help than their family or friends are able to sustain.

To complete IV medications you must be an enrolled nurse with a Certificate IV in nursing and provide evidence of NMBA approved units of competency for the administration of medication. Those who have completed the current Diploma of Nursing will already hold oral and IV medications as part of their studies (HLTENN007).

You cannot upskill from the old Certificate IV to the diploma as it is the same qualification. If you are an enrolled nurse with a certificate IV and do not have medications training, you may upskill your endorsement to include medications by completing HLTENN007 Administer and monitor medicines and intravenous therapy.

This will then recognise you as an EEN.

A PCA perform duties such as assisting with patient cares and activities of daily living, attending to patient’s personal hygiene needs such as showering & toileting, restocking & looking after equipment & helping patients mobilise / reposition etc. A PCA with the unit HLTENN006 can administer oral medications, but cannot under any circumstance administer IV medications.

Whereas The enrolled nurse scope of practice means they can: contribute to nursing assessments and patient care planning. Provide nursing care and evaluate the outcomes of care for patients and their families, and coordinate teams of health care assistants (in some settings).

A medically endorsed EN can also provide oral and IV medications. Those who hold the current Diploma of Nursing and have completed the unit HLTENN007 can administer both oral and IV medications as an EN.

Due to new AHPRA requirements, to enrol in the Diploma of Nursing you must provide evidence of your English capabilities with either:

• 5 years of primary and secondary education in either AUS, the US, UK, NZ or South Africa.
• OR 2. 3.5 years of secondary and tertiary in those countries.
• OR have an IELTS score of 7.0 in reading and writing.

You must also sit a VETASSESS LLN test (only numeracy for those who provide IELTS) or provide a year 12 certificate from Australia completed in the last 2 years.

For more information please refer to – the AHPRA English requirements

No, to become a mid-wife you need to complete a Bachelor of Nursing degree followed by postgraduate study in midwifery, or complete a Bachelor of Midwifery.

No, to become a cosmetics nurse you must complete a Bachelor of Nursing as we well as postgraduate studies in cosmetic procedures.

We currently offer the aged care stream and the acute streams.

An enrolled nurse with a Certificate IV will not have medications endorsement unless further studies have been completed, such as undertaking HLTENN006 or HLTENN007. The Diploma of Nursing contains the medications units as part of the course curriculum.

We offer both the Certificate IV and Diploma level in Leisure & Health.

Leisure and Health is a course relating to the aged care, disability and community sectors.

The Certificate IV in Leisure and Health teaches you to deliver health improvement, leisure and activity, or diversional programs to people in aged care facilities, disability support programs, and community bases support programs.

Whereas the Diploma of Leisure and Health builds on this concept and teaches you to manage and supervise others in the work place.

Diversional and Recreation Therapy Australia (DRTA) is the peak body regulating Leisure & health courses. They are committed to promoting, fostering and advancing the development of the profession of Diversional and Recreation Therapy in Australia and internationally.

Its mission is to ensure that the practice of Diversional and Recreation Therapy continues to be viable and relevant, contributing to the wellbeing of clients and the community, while encouraging education, professional and personal development in its members.

Diversional therapy is a client centred practice and recognises that leisure and recreational experiences are the right of all individuals. Diversional therapy practitioners work with people of all ages and abilities to design and facilitate leisure and recreation programs.

Activities are designed to support, challenge and enhance the psychological, spiritual, social, emotional and physical wellbeing of individuals. The Diversional Therapist provides opportunities where individuals may choose to participate in leisure and recreation activities which promote self-esteem and personal fulfilment.

The Diversional Therapist facilitates individual client choice, decision making and participation when developing and managing recreational programmes.

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DRTA currently has seven membership types for qualified (or studying) Diversional Therapists, Leisure and Health Professionals or Diversional Therapy Assistants/ Lifestyle Coordinators/ Activity Officers and others interested in the field who hold a degree. All Full-Memberships are qualification-based. Experience will support and enhance your membership application, but it cannot replace any required minimum education and training. Life Memberships, Level 1 and Level 2 Memberships are honoured and recognised by DRTA, but these categories are closed to new members.

Positions commonly acquired by students after successfully completing their studies include: Activities officer, Community leisure officer, Disability officer – day support, diversional therapy assistant, Leisure officer, Recreation activities officer in aged care, community and disability facilities

The Certificate IV is the minimum qualification required, whereas the Diploma of Leisure and Health qualification is designed for Lifestyle or Activity Coordinators who would like to take the next step in their career.

The Diploma is designed for those already working as a lifestyle coordinator and wanting to become a supervisor, or manager. It is not recommended to undertake the Diploma (without the Cert IV) unless you are already working in the leisure and health field.

No – students must undertake a Bachelor of Health Science (Leisure & Health) or Bachelor of Health Science (Therapeutic Recreation) to obtain the title of diversional therapist. They will also need to register for a full membership with DRTA and continue their professional development.

There is no qualification or educational prerequisites.

Skills Training Australia will conduct a review of your current competencies, including language, literacy and numeracy skills, in order to ensure this is the most appropriate qualification to achieve your intended outcomes

You will be able to obtain credit transfer for any units that are common to both qualifications.

A minimum 120 hours of work placement is required for this qualification. Placement must be undertaken in a work place that will give you exposure to leisure and health promotion, activities development and delivery. This needs to be signed off by a workplace supervisor/mentor. Placement is traditionally unpaid.

A minimum of 240hrs of Work placement is required for this qualification.

Placement must be undertaken in an environment that will give you exposure to leisure and health development and delivery, and must be signed off by a workplace supervisor/mentor. Placement is traditionally unpaid.

If you are employed and undertaking a traineeship, work placement can be negotiated as part of your normal working duties. This must be approved by your employer and will be monitored by your Skills Training Australia Trainer and Assessor.

Placements for Leisure and Health are sourced by the students; Skills Training Australia will work with you to ensure the placement facility is appropriate.

Whilst there are no prior learning or employment prerequisites to gain entry into the Certificate IV Ageing Support, Certificate III Individual Support (or equivalent) is recommended.

Skills Training Australia will conduct a review of your current competencies, including language, literacy and numeracy skills, in order to ensure this is the most appropriate qualification to achieve your intended outcomes

No.

A Traineeship is when the course is delivered in a supported working environment. In this instance a training plan will be created, in conjunction with you and your employer, highlighting the course schedule and requirements.

You MUST be already employed in the industry and meet traineeship requirements to be eligible for this model.

You will be able to obtain work in an aged care facility or home and community care as a personal care assistant (PCA).

A PCA is a patient care attendant, as known as a personal care assistant.

A PCA attends to a care recipients Personal Care / ADL’s (activities of daily living) such as getting dressed, brushing teeth, assisting with meals, changing linen on beds,  and completing relevant documentation, this can be in Residential  Care or Home and Community Care

There is 120 hours of practical placement / workplace signoff in the Certificate IV in Ageing Support.

Students will need to source a placement from an appropriate aged care facility; Skills Training Australia will work with you to ensure the placement facility is appropriate.

You cannot obtain CT without previous studies. You may apply for RPL (recognition of prior learning) with work experience in the industry.

You may apply for RPL if you have been working in the industry. The RPL process is lengthy and robust. It involves:

• An initial discussion with an STA staff member. They will outline the evidence you need to provide for recognition of prior learning.
• You will be required to provide detailed evidence, demonstrating your competence, in the form of a portfolio of evidence.
• A follow up assessment session will be held with the assessor to run through your current levels of competence.

Please be aware that, whilst we try to keep the RPL application process as simple as possible, it can sometimes be difficult for you to provide evidence of competence against required units. Due to the strictness of the RPL process, we are unable to provide RPL if evidence is not available.

Domestic Students

To apply, you must fill out an enquiry form via the website, or call us on 1300 656 669 and talk to one of our business development team. You will then need to attend a compulsory information session, complete the required application forms, supply supporting documentation and undertake a pre-training training review assessment. Once your application is assessed, your enrolment will be processed and you will be issued a welcome letter.

Before you commence your studies you must attend the compulsory orientation. This is usually held the week before classes commence and runs for a full day.

International Students

Please refer to our international students page for the application process.

VETASSESS is a compulsory language, literacy and numeracy test that forms part of the Pre-Training Review process to determine your suitability for your selected course and to identify any additional support you may require. If you have completed year 12 in the last 2 year you may not be required to sit VETASSESS.

An information session is a compulsory presentation by Skills Training Australia to provide domestic students with all the required information regarding all course information and requirements.

You will be able to obtain a letter of enrolment AFTER you have commenced your first class.

The USI is a reference number made up of ten numbers and letters that creates a secure online record of your recognised training and qualifications gained in Australia, from all training providers.

Your training records and transcripts can be accessed online, anytime and anywhere is free and easy to create and stays with you for life.

You can apply for a USI on the Australian government website https://www.usi.gov.au/ as well as find your current one if you do not remember the code.

If you do not have a USI you can also apply during the application/enrolment process.

RPL is Recognition of Prior Learning. You may apply for RPL. The RPL process is lengthy and robust. It involves:

• An initial discussion with an STA staff member. They will outline the evidence you need to provide for recognition of prior learning.
• You will be required to provide detailed evidence, demonstrating your competence, in the form of a portfolio of evidence.
• A follow up assessment session will be held with the assessor to run through your current levels of competence.

Please be aware that, whilst we try to keep the RPL application process as simple as possible, it can sometimes be difficult for you to provide evidence of competence against required units. Due to the strictness of the RPL process, we are unable to provide RPL if evidence is not available.

During your application process you may apply for RPL. This will require an initial discussion with an STA staff member. They will outline the evidence you need to provide for recognition of prior learning.

You will be required to provide detailed evidence, demonstrating your competence, in the form of a portfolio of evidence.

A follow up assessment session will be held with the assessor to run through your current levels of competence.

Please be aware that, whilst we try to keep the RPL application process as simple as possible, it can sometimes be difficult for you to provide evidence of competence against required units. Due to the strictness of the RPL process, we are unable to provide RPL if evidence is not available.

Credit Transfer is where you may be granted acknowledgement on the basis of prior studies gained through other Registered Training Organisations or Education providers such as TAFE.

For example, you may have completed the same unit of competency at another institution undertaking another course; this will be recognised if the unit is the same both in terms of title and unit code number.

Where Credit Transfer is being applied you must provide the unit, subject or competency information in the statement format and the original documents including the qualification and related statements of attainment must be produced.

During the application process you may apply for CT, you will need a certified statement of attainment from your current or previous education provider for Skills Training Australia to assess credit transfer; alternatively bring in your original document and a Skills Training Australia employee may sight the award.

VSL stands for VET Student Loans. The VET Student Loans program is an income contingent loan offered by the Australian Government that assists eligible students pay for some or all vocational education and training (VET) diploma level or above courses. The loan is then repaid via tax after the student is earning $51,957 (2018-19 income year)

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may apply for a VSL during the application process. VSL is only available for diploma level or above courses.

Skills Training Australia is approved to offer subsidised funding to Victorian eligible individuals under the Skills First Program for specific qualifications. For further information please refer to the Fees/Skills First Funding page.

Diploma of Nursing books are not part of the tuition fee and must be purchased separately direct from the supplier (please refer to the specific course page). For all other courses, resources are included in the tuition fee.

Payment plans are available for all Skills Training Australia courses.

Skills First is a Victorian Government scheme that assists eligible Victorian individual’s access vocational education and training. If you are eligible, the government will contribute to the cost of your training.

Please refer to the specific course page for book lists and prices.

You will receive a VSL email invitation from the eCAF- government website to allow you to confirm your enrolment online.

Each term you will received a VSL fee notice 14 days before the census day; and a Commonwealth Assistance Notice within 28 days after the census day.

You will also receive via email from the eCAF system a request to confirm your enrolment/progression status; this will occur three times in a calendar year for the duration of the course. You must complete the report within 14 days. Anyone who fails to reply after two consecutive prompts may be ineligible to continue accessing a VET Student Loan to pay the remainder of the course fees.

Please refer to the VET Student Loans page for further information.

You can pay your fees on campus at reception by eftpos or cash, or via bank electronic transfer with the account details noted on your invoice or Offer Letter that you receive on enrolment. When paying by bank electronic transfer please remember to put you name and student number as reference. Please refer to your invoice.

You will receive a VSL email invitation from the eCAF- government website to allow you to confirm your enrolment online.

Each term you will received a VSL fee notice 14 days before the census day; and a Commonwealth Assistance Notice within 28 days after the census day.

You will also receive via email from the eCAF system a request to confirm your enrolment/progression status; this will occur three times in a calendar year for the duration of the course. You must complete the report within 14 days. Anyone who fails to reply after two consecutive prompts may be ineligible to continue accessing a VET Student Loan to pay the remainder of the course fees.

Please refer to the VET Student Loans page for further information.

The total cost of the course can be found on the course page. If you have credit transfer/s your fees may be adjusted; you will receive an invoice after your enrolment has been processed with the reduced fee. Please note: the credit transfer deduction only applies to full fee paying student.

All students receive an invoice irrespective if they access a VET Student Loan for all or part of their course.

Please speak with your trainer for guidance/advice. If you find you are still struggling, please book an appointment with the Manager for your qualification. This can be booked at reception or by calling 1300 656 669.

One of Skills Training Australia’s sister companies, Discover English may be able to provide assistance. Please contact us on 1300 656 669 for further information.

If you fail a unit you will need to repeat the unit with another group. The cost of repeating a unit will added to your fees.

Students can pay their fees on campus at reception by eftpos or cash, or via bank electronic transfer.

For Electronic transfers please refer to the account details noted on your invoice or offer letter that you received upon enrolment. When paying by bank electronic transfer please remember to put you name and student number as reference.

If you are a domestic student please call 1300 656 669 or come to Reception and ask to speak to the Finance area to discuss setting up a payment plan.

For international students please call 1300 656 669 or come to Reception and ask to speak to the international Student Support Officer to discuss payment options.

If your details change during your studies, please go to Reception and complete a ‘Change of Details’ form.

All internationals students must do this within 7 days of the change occurring.

For International students please speak to the Student Support Officer. For Domestic students please speak to the Manager for your qualification.

Please ask at Reception or call 1300 656 669 to make an appointment.

For Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Nursing all placements are organised by the Clinical Placement Manager.

For all other qualifications, placements are sourced by the student however, we can aid you in finding a suitable facility if you are not already working in the industry.

Prior to attending placement you are required to have a current police check and working with children’s check.

Immunisation is a requirement for nursing students prior to attending placement. An immunisation record will be provided to you that you must take to your doctor and have completed.

Diploma of Nursing placements are held after the appropriate units have been successfully completed.

Diploma of Nursing has four placement blocks undertaken during the qualification: Aged Care, Sub Acute, Mental Health and Acute Care.

For other qualifications there is one placement block with varying hours depending on the qualification.

Placements occurs in week long blocks (Monday – Friday), they can be either 2 or 3 weeks at a time depending on the placement.

Aged care (3 weeks), Sub Acute (2 weeks), Mental Health (2 weeks) and Acute Care (3 weeks).

Each hospital is slightly different however shifts are generally AM shifts (0700-1530), PM shifts (1400-2200) and weekend shifts. There may be occasional night shifts.

Some acute placements may have weekend shifts for Nursing students

For nursing qualifications you cannot under any circumstance do placement at a facility you current work in.

Placement is included in your fees. However, If you miss placement you will then incur a further cost of $85 per missed day. If you miss or fail an entire placement you will also have this cost added onto your fees.

For Nursing qualifications, all placements are sourced by Skills Training Australia. Students are not permitted to source their own placement facilities.

For all other qualifications students must source their own placements; Skills Training Australia can aid you in ensuring the facility is suitable.

Placements are held in Metropolitan Melbourne and regional areas.

Yes. Accommodation and contact information will be given to you prior to placement; the cost is approximately $100 per week.

If you have failed a placement you will need to repeat the entire placement at a later date. This cost will also be added onto you fees.

Yes.  You are required to pass all units related to the placement before being sent on placement.

Contact our Head Office on 02 9224 5500 or complete an enquiry on this website Academies Australasia

CRICOS approved courses provided by Skills Training Australia include: Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, the Diploma of Nursing and Advanced Diploma of Nursing

Please call 1300 656 669 or come to Reception and ask to speak to the international Student Support Officer to discuss payment options.

Days of the week vary on the intake and the group you are entering. This information will be given to you by the enrolment team and on Orientation.