HLT54121

Enrolled Nursing Foundation Program

TAFE at School Pathway

The Enrolled Nursing Foundation Program is a TAFE at School Pathway to Diploma course which will provide credit into HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing.

Apply now

STUDY LOCATIONS Gold Coast

WAYS TO STUDY TAFE at School

NEXT INTAKE Start date: 01 Feb 2027 Duration: 4 terms View all intakes

WHAT YOU'LL PAY

TAFE at School Full Fee

$5,625 - $10,005

Eligibility calculator

Course overview

Get a head start into your nursing career while you are at school. Complete units from Stage 1 of the Diploma of Nursing with this TAFE at School pathway to Diploma course.

The Diploma of Nursing is the essential minimum requirement to register as an enrolled nurse. The health sector is growing in Australia with the Graduate Outcomes Survey reporting four out of five nursing graduates gain employment within three months of graduation.

The Diploma of Nursing will give you the advanced skills to perform clinical assessments, contribute to nursing care of people with complex needs, administer and monitor medications and IV therapy, research and apply evidence to practice. Our highly-experienced industry professionals will guide you every step of the way to ensure your transition into the health sector is a success.

Successful completion of the Diploma of Nursing will qualify you to seek registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Upon successful registration you may find work as an Enrolled Nurse within a diverse range of healthcare settings.

Course outcome:

Statement of Attainment of accredited units.
Accredited units will contribute to QCE points.

Units provide credit into HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing.

What you will study

The successful achievement of this course requires you to complete all core units as per your locations delivery and 1 elective unit from the list below.

Gold Coast and Greater Brisbane
You will also be required to undertake vocational placement in an approved setting.

UNIT CODE
UNIT NAME

Year 11 students

Year 11 students

UNIT CODE
HLTAAP002

Confirm physical health status

UNIT CODE :
HLTAAP002

Unit description :

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to obtain and interpret information about client health status and to check a client's physical health. It requires a detailed knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
UNIT NAME
Confirm physical health status

UNIT CODE
HLTAAP003

Analyse and respond to client health information

UNIT CODE :
HLTAAP003

Unit description :

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to analyse client health information and then to plan appropriate health services within scope of own role. It requires an in-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
UNIT NAME
Analyse and respond to client health information

UNIT CODE
HLTENN036

Apply communication skills in nursing practice

UNIT CODE :
HLTENN036

Unit description :
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively with people, families and carers, and with other health care professionals, in health care settings.
UNIT NAME
Apply communication skills in nursing practice

UNIT CODE
HLTENN037

Perform clinical assessment and contribute to planning nursing care

UNIT CODE :
HLTENN037

Unit description :
This unit of competency describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required, within the scope of practice, to perform preliminary and ongoing physical health assessments of all body systems, gathering data that contributes to an individualised health plan of care.
UNIT NAME
Perform clinical assessment and contribute to planning nursing care

UNIT CODE
HLTENN038

Implement, monitor and evaluate nursing care

UNIT CODE :
HLTENN038

Unit description :
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to implement nursing care as outlined in a person's nursing care plan, evaluate outcomes of care provided, record and report progress, and respond to emergency situations.
UNIT NAME
Implement, monitor and evaluate nursing care

UNIT CODE
HLTENN041

Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice

UNIT CODE :
HLTENN041

Unit description :
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to work within legal and ethical parameters in professional nursing practice, including supporting rights and meeting duty of care requirements.
UNIT NAME
Apply legal and ethical parameters to nursing practice
(Gold Coast only)

UNIT CODE
HLTENN045

Implement and monitor care of the older person

UNIT CODE :
HLTENN045

Unit description :
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to perform nursing interventions to support the social and emotional wellbeing and nursing care needs of the older person in care.
UNIT NAME
Implement and monitor care of the older person

UNIT CODE
HLTINF006

Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control

UNIT CODE :
HLTINF006

Unit description :
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply basic infection prevention and control principles in work settings including implementing standard and transmission-based precautions and responding to risks.
UNIT NAME
Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
(Gold Coast only)

UNIT CODE
HLTWHS002

Follow safe work practices for direct client care

UNIT CODE :
HLTWHS002

Unit description :

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required for a worker to participate in safe work practices to ensure their own health and safety, and that of others in work environments that involve caring directly for clients. It has a focus on maintaining safety of the worker, the people being supported and other community members.
UNIT NAME
Follow safe work practices for direct client care

Year 12 students

Year 12 students

UNIT CODE
HLTAAP002

Confirm physical health status

UNIT CODE :
HLTAAP002

Unit description :

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to obtain and interpret information about client health status and to check a client's physical health. It requires a detailed knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
UNIT NAME
Confirm physical health status

UNIT CODE
HLTAAP003

Analyse and respond to client health information

UNIT CODE :
HLTAAP003

Unit description :

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to analyse client health information and then to plan appropriate health services within scope of own role. It requires an in-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
UNIT NAME
Analyse and respond to client health information

UNIT CODE
HLTENN036

Apply communication skills in nursing practice

UNIT CODE :
HLTENN036

Unit description :
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively with people, families and carers, and with other health care professionals, in health care settings.
UNIT NAME
Apply communication skills in nursing practice

UNIT CODE
HLTINF006

Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control

UNIT CODE :
HLTINF006

Unit description :
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply basic infection prevention and control principles in work settings including implementing standard and transmission-based precautions and responding to risks.
UNIT NAME
Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control

UNIT CODE
HLTWHS002

Follow safe work practices for direct client care

UNIT CODE :
HLTWHS002

Unit description :

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required for a worker to participate in safe work practices to ensure their own health and safety, and that of others in work environments that involve caring directly for clients. It has a focus on maintaining safety of the worker, the people being supported and other community members.
UNIT NAME
Follow safe work practices for direct client care

UNIT CODE
UNIT NAME

Elective

Elective

UNIT CODE
HLTAID011

Provide First Aid

UNIT CODE :
HLTAID011

Unit description :
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide a first aid response to a casualty in line with first aid guidelines determined by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and other Australian national peak clinical bodies. The unit applies to all persons who may be required to provide a first aid response in a range of situations, including community and workplace settings.
UNIT NAME
Provide First Aid

Note: For some courses, not all electives are available at all campuses.

Taylor Kett fast tracked her Nursing Diploma by starting the course while she was still in Year 12. Now she is working as an Enrolled Nurse with Ramsay Health Care while completing her studies to become a Registered Nurse.

Taylor Kett, Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121)

Ways to study

Choose your study location

Online with on campus practical training

Your course is primarily online and you may interact with your teachers and other students using Zoom. You will also need to come in to campus to complete some practical learning and assessment. Learn more
View comparison chart

CAMPUS	STUDY MODE	START DATE	DURATION	WORKLOAD	WHAT YOU'LL PAY
Southport	Online with on campus practical training	01 Feb 2027	8 terms	Part time 10 units: 1 day per week	TAFE at School Full Fee: $10,005 This is the total course fee for High School students also studying at TAFE. More Apply
Southport Online with on campus practical training Online Time How much of the course will be delivered online. 80% On Campus Time 20% START DATE The date the course starts. Apply early as intakes fill up quickly. 01 Feb 2027 The date the course starts. Apply early as intakes fill up quickly. DURATION The total length of time it takes to complete the course. 8 terms The total length of time it takes to complete the course. Workload The average amount of time students will need to allocate to study each week. Part time 10 units: 1 day per week The average amount of time students will need to allocate to study each week. WHAT YOU'LL PAY TAFE at School Full Fee: $10,005 This is the total course fee for High School students also studying at TAFE. Class format Some courses include classes at scheduled times while others can be completed in your own time. Teacher-led, Scheduled Some courses include classes at scheduled times while others can be completed in your own time. VIRTUAL CLASS Scheduled online classes using video conferencing software (such as Zoom). No Scheduled online classes using video conferencing software (such as Zoom). ASSESSMENT The primary location assessments will take place. Some courses also require vocational placement. Online, On-Campus and vocational placement The primary location assessments will take place. Some courses also require vocational placement. TEACHER COMMS The different ways you can contact your teacher throughout the course. Phone, Email, Face-to-face, Zoom The different ways you can contact your teacher throughout the course. Less Ask a question Apply
Southport	Online with on campus practical training	01 Feb 2027	4 terms	Part time 6 units: 1 day per week	TAFE at School Full Fee: $5,625 This is the total course fee for High School students also studying at TAFE. More Apply
Southport Online with on campus practical training Online Time How much of the course will be delivered online. 80% On Campus Time 20% START DATE The date the course starts. Apply early as intakes fill up quickly. 01 Feb 2027 The date the course starts. Apply early as intakes fill up quickly. DURATION The total length of time it takes to complete the course. 4 terms The total length of time it takes to complete the course. Workload The average amount of time students will need to allocate to study each week. Part time 6 units: 1 day per week The average amount of time students will need to allocate to study each week. WHAT YOU'LL PAY TAFE at School Full Fee: $5,625 This is the total course fee for High School students also studying at TAFE. Class format Some courses include classes at scheduled times while others can be completed in your own time. Teacher-led, Scheduled Some courses include classes at scheduled times while others can be completed in your own time. VIRTUAL CLASS Scheduled online classes using video conferencing software (such as Zoom). No Scheduled online classes using video conferencing software (such as Zoom). ASSESSMENT The primary location assessments will take place. Some courses also require vocational placement. Online, On-Campus and vocational placement The primary location assessments will take place. Some courses also require vocational placement. TEACHER COMMS The different ways you can contact your teacher throughout the course. Phone, Email, Face-to-face, Zoom The different ways you can contact your teacher throughout the course. Less Ask a question Apply

Choosing to study a TAFE at School course is a great way to get a vocational qualification while you’re still in high school. You also gain valuable credits towards your QCE, an apprenticeship, a diploma or university.
TAFE at School gives you a taste of what higher education is all about, makes you work-ready, and helps you build practical skills in an adult-learning environment. Successful completion of a TAFE at School qualification gives you direct entry into any of our diploma courses. Learn more

You must be a Year 11 or 12 student enrolled at a participating high school, in some instances Year 10 students may be considered. In addition, the duration of your TAFE at School course cannot be longer than your remaining high school studies. Speak to your high school guidance counsellor or careers advisor for more information.

Course placements are subject to availability.

QCE points: Year 11 - up to 8 points; Year 12 - up to 6 points

Information is current at time of publishing, to confirm the QCE points for your course please speak to your high school guidance counsellor or careers advisor, or visit the Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority (QCAA) website.

Download Brochure

Enrolled Nursing Foundation Program (HLT54121)

Ask a question

Enrolled Nursing Foundation Program

COURSE CODE: HLT54121

Payment Options

How can I pay for this course?

No matter what your circumstances, TAFE Queensland has a payment option to suit you. If you are unsure of what’s right for you, get in touch. We’re here to help.

Payment plan

If you have difficulty paying for the full cost of a course upfront, you may be eligible for a payment plan.

Learn more

Upfront payment

This may be the full fee for the course, or the student contribution amount if you are eligible for a subsidy or concession.

Learn more

VET Student Loan - $19,290 cap

The VET Student Loans program assists eligible students enrolled in approved courses to pay their tuition fees. The Australian Government charges full fee-paying (non-subsidised) students a 20 per cent loan fee in addition to their tuition fees. A VET Student Loan is a debt that must be repaid.

Learn more

Entry requirements

Skills check

You will be invited to complete a Skills Check following your application submission, before enrolling to your studies. This helps you to decide if your course is right for you and allows us to understand your current abilities in English, Maths, as well as using Digital technology.

The required benchmark levels for this course are 4 in English and 4 in Maths. The recommended benchmark level for this course is 4 in Digital Technology.

If you are applying for a VET Student Loan the required levels to meet academic eligibility, as outlined by Commonwealth guidelines, is Level 4 English and Maths.

Access and instructions on how to complete the Skills Check will be emailed to you once you have submitted your application.

Read the Skills Check FAQs.

Watch this helpful video on how to complete the Skills Check for the Diploma of Nursing.

This is a requirement in accordance with TAFE Queensland and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).

Prerequisite requirements

To practice safely in Australia, health practitioners, including nurses, must have strong English language skills. This includes being able to communicate effectively with patients and their relatives, collaborate with other health care professionals and keep clear and accurate health records.

The English language skills registration standard (2025) is one of the five core standards required under National Law. In preparation for registration, and required by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), all new applicants studying the Diploma of Nursing at TAFE Queensland are to demonstrate English language, as well as literacy and numeracy skills prior to enrolment.

Please note that the following information is subject to amendment in line with any changes implemented by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), and the Department of Home Affairs.

Domestic and International students:
As part of your application process for the Diploma of Nursing, you will be required to complete a declaration in the Diploma of Nursing English Language Skills Acknowledgement Form using one of two pathways demonstrating English language competence:

Primary language pathway (Section 1 of the acknowledgement form)
You must have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six (6) years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country as specified in the NMBA’s English language skills registration standard (2025). At least two years of this education must have been between grades 7 and 12.

English language test pathway (Section 2 of the acknowledgement form)
Where English is not your primary language, you must provide evidence of a formal English language test result. Students must demonstrate they have achieved the minimum requirements as specified in the NMBA’s English language skills registration standard (2025). Changes to English language test scores are in effect from 23 April 2026. Additional information about these changes is available on the Ahpra Accepted English language tests website.

The assessment must have been completed less than 2 years from the date of submission of your application for the Diploma of Nursing.

Accepted English language tests are listed below. Please refer to the NMBA English language skills registration standard (2025) in conjunction with the Ahpra Accepted English language tests website for more specific information.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System Academic) - Academic paper and computer at test centre only.
Cambridge C1 Advanced - Paper and computer at test centre only.
Cambridge C2 Proficiency - Paper and computer at test centre only.
TOEFL-iBT Australia (Test of English as a Foreign Language Australia) - "Taking TOEFL for Australia" must be selected during test registration.
PTE Academic (Pearson’s Test of English Academic).
Occupational English Test (OET) - On paper or computer based in testing centre. Any profession-specific OET test can be accepted.

Selection criteria

Please read the Entry Requirements section above.

The Enrolled Nursing Foundation Program is offered to school students only via our TAFE at Schools program.

Study contributes to HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing.

Units and delivery vary depending on selected campus and school year entry.

Gold Coast

Year 12 students - complete 6 out of the 10 units from the Stage 1 (Semester 1) requirements plus 40 hours Vocational Placement.

Year 11 students - complete all 10 units from the Stage 1 (Semester 1) requirements plus 80 hours Vocational Placement across the 2 years of study.
Year 11 students may be eligible to continue with Stage 2 (Semester 2) studies upon completion of Year 12 general studies.

Greater Brisbane

Year 11 students - complete 4 out of the 10 units from the Stage 1 (Semester 1) requirements.

Year 12 students - complete a further 4 units from the Stage 1 (Semester 1) requirements plus 120 hours Vocational Placement.
On completion of this program, Year 12 students will be eligible to continue with Stage 2 (Semester 2) studies upon completion of Year 12 general studies.

Inherent Requirements

Before deciding if a course is right for you, it's important to make an informed choice and consider the key skills, knowledge, and assessment requirements involved. Review the inherent requirements for this course and reflect on whether any of them might present difficulties for you, and if they align with your abilities and goals. If you feel you may have challenges due to a disability, a health condition, or for any other reason, we encourage you to speak with a regional Education Manager, a student services team member, or the regional AccessAbility Officer to discuss your concerns and confirm if the course is suitable for you.

Resources required

It is recommended that you have access to a reliable internet connection to access TAFE Queensland's online learning system Connect, and a computer with up-to-date software, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Reader. This equipment and software is available for use at all TAFE Queensland locations.

You may also be required to purchase uniform items, and a nursing kit. These details will be provided after enrolment or during orientation.

Placement

Placement assessment in industry is a mandatory requirement of this course. Full requirements can be found on the Placement information for health and nursing page. Please ensure you read all the information provided and click on the links to your preferred course for its specific needs.

Gold Coast and Greater Brisbane students only
Students studying from the Gold Coast and Greater Brisbane will complete Vocational Placement throughout their course.

Those students who have a medical contraindication may be unable to complete the vocational placement component of their course. This means you may not be able to meet all of the requirements of your course and may not be able to receive your Statement of Attainment for units studied.

You will be required to progress through theoretical and practical simulation training components in each stage of your course. The practical simulation components will be conducted on campus as timetabled sessions throughout your stage of study. Students are to complete the necessary practical sessions and assessments to be eligible to continue to clinical placement allocations. You will need to successfully undertake a clinical placement in a health care facility or hospital where you will get to use your new skills and knowledge in the real world. You’ll be required to work shifts determined by your placement provider, and these can include early mornings or late nights, any day of the week, including public holidays. Completing placement assessment is compulsory, and you will be expected to manage family and work commitments in order to complete your shifts.

Gold Coast

Year 12 students - complete 6 out of the 10 units from the Stage 1 (Semester 1) requirements plus 40 hours Vocational Placement.

Vocational Placement is a mandatory assessment to complete the unit requirements. Vocational Placement is allocated during school holidays in the second half of the year, and students must be able to attend their allocated shifts to support a successful outcome. Content is delivered online with practical assessments completed over 5 clinical lab sessions from 8.30am-2.30pm during the second half of the year. First Aid training is delivered during one of these sessions.

Year 11 students - complete all 10 units from the Stage 1 (Semester 1) requirements plus 80 hours Vocational Placement across the 2 years of study. Year 11 students may be eligible to continue with Stage 2 (Semester 2) studies upon completion of Year 12 general studies.

Vocational Placement is a mandatory assessment to complete the unit requirements. Vocational Placement is allocated during school holidays in the second half of the year and students must be able to attend their allocated shifts to support a successful outcome. Content is delivered online with practical assessments completed over 12 clinical lab days across the 2 years from 8.30am-2.30pm. First Aid training is delivered during one of these sessions.

Greater Brisbane

Year 12 students - complete 4 units from the Stage 1 (Semester 1) requirements plus 120 hours Vocational Placement.

Important information

Please ensure you have read all the information provided on the Inherent Requirements and Placement information for health and nursing pages and click on the links to your preferred course for its specific needs.

Nursing Information Sessions
Please visit the TAFE Queensland events page for details of upcoming Nursing Information Sessions.

Registration – during the course of study
Under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, all students enrolled in an approved nursing or midwifery course of study must be registered for the duration of study or until they are no longer enrolled in an approved course of study. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), working in partnership with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) maintains this Student Register and reflects the profile of students as advised by Australia’s education providers. The Student Register is not public and, in relation to students, is limited to recording student health impairment matters or criminal convictions of a serious nature. Ahpra has no role to play in the academic progress or conduct of students which continues to be a core responsibility of educational providers. Providing student details to Ahpra is a condition placed upon TAFE Queensland as your education provider, and therefore it is a condition of entry into this course that you consent to the release of your details accordingly. Further information can be found at the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia website.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding the AHPRA Student Registration process, TAFE Queensland strongly encourages you to download and read the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Fact sheet: Student registration.

Registration – upon completion of study

Registration as a nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is dependent on successful application to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) following successful completion of studies. Prior to enrolment all students should visit the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia website for further information regarding registration following graduation

Assessment methods

Skill and knowledge assessments are an essential step in progressing through your course. You may be assessed in a number of ways while you are studying at TAFE Queensland, including observation, written assessment, questioning, portfolios, work samples, third-party feedback, and through recognition of prior learning. Read more about assessment methods.

Pathways

University pathways

If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there. In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.

Learn more about University Pathways

How to apply

Direct application

If you're ready to get started, simply hit the Apply Now button on your preferred course information page and get your application underway online.

Course disclaimer

All information was accurate at time of publication, however TAFE policies, tuition fees, available subsidies, and course content is subject to change without notice. Course commencement is dependent on sufficient enrolment numbers. Timetable information is subject to change prior to commencement and/or during the duration of your course.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit transfers

Fast track your way to a formal qualification by earning credit for the things you already know. We can assess your skills, directly apply credits from previous successful study, and give you advanced standing in your course.

Learn more

Related courses

Diploma of Nursing

Advance your career in nursing with this high-level course that will qualify you to seek registration as an Enrolled Nurse.

Careers

Enrolled Nurse

Full Time : 18 months

Next Start : 13 Jul 2026

😊 Personalise my view

I am

interested in studying

interested in studying

currently studying

interested in studying

interested in

interested in

interested in

interested in studying

at

Campus

Campus

Campus

Campus

Campus

Campus

Campus

Enrolled Nursing Foundation Program

TAFE at School Pathway

Course overview

Course outcome:

Core units

Elective units

Southport

Southport

Download Brochure

Ask a question

Enrolled Nursing Foundation Program

Payment Options

How can I pay for this course?

Payment plan

Upfront payment

VET Student Loan - $19,290 cap

Entry requirements

Skills check

Prerequisite requirements

Selection criteria

Resources required

Placement

Important information

Assessment methods

Pathways

University pathways

How to apply

Direct application

Course disclaimer

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit transfers

Related courses

Diploma of Nursing

Careers