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Undergraduate

Bachelor of Nursing

Domestic students International students
Bachelor of Nursing (BNSG)
Entry requirements
ATAR 65.60
View full details
Study mode
  • On-campus
  • External
Campus
  • Ipswich
  • Toowoomba
Duration
  • 3 year(s) (or part-time equivalent)
Start
  • Feb, May, Sep*
Intakes
*The September intake (Trimester 3) is available from 2025.
Note: External study is not available to international students.

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Bachelor of Nursing overview

  • With a combination of nursing courses and clinical simulation in our well-resourced labs and nursing wards, UniSQ’s Bachelor of Nursing prepares you for practice as a registered nurse, in hospitals, community settings, mental health settings, GP practices, clinics, rural and remote health services and aged care facilities across Australia and the world.
  • Our Bachelor of Nursing degree aligns with current Australian professional nursing standards of practice and will give you the skills to deliver high-quality nursing care to people of all ages.
  • Almost 50 percent of the degree is devoted to clinical practice within simulated on-campus labs or in health care settings, including large metropolitan hospitals, mental health services, regional health care services, aged care settings, community health services, specialty clinics and rehabilitation centres.
  • Study nursing at UniSQ and learn how to provide the very best nursing practice, and will graduate as a skilled, knowledgeable and highly employable nurse.
  • Prefer studying online? Our flexible delivery option allows the on-campus component of this program to be studied in intensive residential schools each semester, combined with online delivery and face-to-face clinical experience.
  • Find out what’s involved in the placement process and what opportunities and support UniSQ and organisations, such as Southern Queensland Rural Health (SQRH), offer for rural and away placements.
Thinking of studying in 2025? UniSQ will be delivering flexible new ways of teaching, with different calendar offerings, making the balance of study and life easier. Read more in our new academic calendar FAQs.

Professional accreditation

UniSQ's Bachelor of Nursing is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and is listed as an approved program with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

To gain registration as a nurse, you will need to satisfy the registration criteria of the NMBA.

Graduates will have to meet standards in English language skills (if English is their second language), criminal history, and professional indemnity insurance. To maintain registration, nurses are also required to meet standards of continuing professional development and recency of practice. See further details on the NMBA Registration Standards.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) will keep a register of students enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing for the duration of their study or clinical training. UniSQ, as the education provider, will pass on students' details directly to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) for registration. No fees are required. UniSQ is also obliged to report to AHPRA when there is a ‘reasonable belief’ that a student has an impairment that, when undertaking clinical training, may place the public at substantial risk of harm. Further details are available at the AHPRA website.

Career outcomes

  • As a graduate of the Bachelor of Nursing you will have the skills required to work as a registered nurse in a multitude of settings in Australia or overseas including public and private hospitals, community health, mental health, aged care, home health care, indigenous health, occupational health, rural practice and international nursing.
  • This qualification is also a pathway to graduate-entry midwifery and mental health programs and other specialties within nursing and health care.

Entry requirements

Find the entry requirements most relevant to you.

Recent secondary education

Adjusted Entry score including adjustment factors (additional points given in certain circumstances). Unadjusted Entry score not including adjustment factors.
ATAR The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a percentile rank used to assess the results of high-school applicants for undergraduate entry into university. 65.60 55.70
Pre-requisites
  • Subject pre-requisite: English (Units 3 & 4, C), or equivalent
  • Recommended prior study: Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C), or equivalent, and one of Biology (Units 3 & 4, C), Chemistry (Units 3 & 4, C), Physics (Units 3 & 4, C), or equivalent.
  • If you are an NMBA Enrolled Nurse (EN) with a Diploma of Nursing qualification from an accredited provider, you will have to provide evidence of AHPRA registration in your application and upon enrolment. 
  • Supporting documentation is required If you are an NMBA Enrolled Nurse (EN) and completed your Diploma of Nursing more than 5 years ago:
    • proof of AHPRA registration in your application and upon enrolment
    • supporting letter from employer to confirm continued employment at EN level
    • resume
    • evidence of continued professional development (any in-house training; industry certification etc.)
  • There are inherent requirements that must be met in order to successfully complete this degree. Inherent requirements are fundamental skills, capabilities and knowledge that students must be able to demonstrate in order to achieve the essential learning outcomes of the degree, while maintaining the academic integrity of the degree. Read and understand the inherent requirements specific to the Bachelor of Nursing before applying.

    If you think you may experience any problems meeting inherent requirements, you can talk to a Student Equity Officer about reasonable adjustments that may be put in place to assist you. Any reasonable adjustments made must not fundamentally change the nature of the inherent requirement.

Please note: Meeting entry requirements does not guarantee admission. Places within the Bachelor of Nursing are limited by quota. Quota size is determined by the availability of hospital placements. Where the quota is filled, no further places will be offered.

ENs with notations or conditions on their AHPRA registration will be individually assessed for eligibility for EN admission or exemptions.

Further admission information

Adjustments are additional points given in certain circumstances that may increase your Rank. Find out if you qualify for any adjustment factor pathways such as educational disadvantage where you live, and subjects you passed.

UniSQ is committed to greater admissions transparency. Learn more about the education and work experience, as well as average Ranks for this degrees' student cohort from the previous year.

Tafe (VET) qualification

If you have completed a qualification from a TAFE or qualified private provider, you may be able to use these qualifications to meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

Work and life experience

You may be able to use your work experience and other adjustment factors to increase your selection rank and meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

English language requirements

All students need to demonstrate a specific level of English language skills set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). To meet the English language requirements for this degree, we accept evidence of your English language proficiency from one of the following ways.

  1. If English is your primary language, please provide evidence that you have attended and successfully completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the recognised countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, or United States of America), including at least two years between high school years 7 and 12.
  2. Applicants, including Enrolled Nurses, currently registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) automatically meet the required English language skills standard for the Bachelor of Nursing.
  3. Minimum overall score of IELTS (Academic) 7.0 with a minimum 7.0 in each subscore (speaking, listening, writing, reading). Your test must be completed within two years of applying to UniSQ. There are other English language tests that are acceptable for the Bachelor of Nursing.

Please refer to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)'s Registration Standard for further information.

Additional requirements for placements

All students must provide the following documents prior to commencing residential schools and clinical placements:

  • Blue Card or Working with Children Check
  • Australian Federal Police Criminal History Check certificate
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate
  • Queensland Health Student Orientation Checklist
  • Queensland Health Student Deed Poll
  • Queensland Health iLearn Modules
  • A signed UniSQ Clinical Placement Declaration including a requirement to undertake shift work.

Plus evidence of the following immunisations:

  • Hepatitis B immunisation
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Pertussis, and Varicella immunisation
  • Tuberculosis risk assessment
  • Influenza immunisation
  • COVID-19 vaccinations as directed by health services.

Recognition of prior learning or work experience

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

Pathways

If you don't meet the entry requirements, we have pathway options available to you.

If you identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent you may be eligible to enter the Indigenous Higher Education (IHEPP) program.

UniSQ strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Students interested in a career in nursing can contact the Indigenous Coordinator in the School of Nursing and Midwifery for information on guidance and support and to discuss entry pathways.

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 24 units.

Courses to be studied Units
Core courses 24
incl. 840 hours of clinical experience
Total 24

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

Clinical experience

In addition to the courses to be studied, you will also need to complete clinical experience, where interactive hands-on activities, such as experiments and use of specialist equipment, are undertaken.

All students must be able to meet the physical and other professional requirements of clinical/professional practice within this degree.

Residential schools

All students will have the opportunity to come on-campus for residential schools, where you will attend face-to-face lectures and tutorials to gain practical experience, use facilities and specialist equipment, and meet staff and other students.

If you choose to enrol in the External mode, you'll study the theoretical courses online, complete clinical experience placements at different health care institutions, and select one of the following locations to undertake your residential school courses. 

  • UniSQ Ipswich campus
  • UniSQ Toowoomba campus
  • SQRH Charleville Clinical Training Facility, Charleville, QLD, provided that you reside within one of the eligible postcodes (PDF 85 KB)
  • Geraldton Universities Centre (GUC), Geraldton, WA (You'll need to submit an Expression of Interest form with your application to study at GUC.) Please note that this residential school location is only available to the GUC cohort.

Fees and scholarships

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs1 for your first year of study (8 units) in this degree are:

Study Mode Cost
Commonwealth supported

The Federal Government contributes to the cost of your course and you need to pay a student contribution.

AUD 4624
Domestic full fee paying

You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

AUD 28000

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2025. 

Clinical experience costs

Clinical courses will incur some additional costs, including uniform and equipment, transport to and from venues and, in some instances, living expenses, particularly for placements in rural and remote settings. Clinical placements that UniSQ can offer are dependent on availability and locality of those placements. For students studying externally or on-campus, these placements may occur away from the student’s geographical location.

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Residential school costs

This degree includes an on-campus residential school component that involves travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

How to apply

Apply via QTAC

Complete your online application via QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre).

For all applicants (except those who hold a Diploma of Nursing qualification and are an Enrolled Nurse (EN), please use the following QTAC codes to apply:

Mode QTAC Codes
Ipswich 936391
Toowoomba 906391
External 906395

If you are an Enrolled Nurse (EN) with a Diploma of Nursing and registered with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), please use the following QTAC codes to apply:

Mode QTAC Codes
Ipswich 936491
Toowoomba 906491
External 906495

For applicants who wish to undertake their residential school courses at the SQRH Charleville Clinical Training Facility in Charleville, QLD, please use the following QTAC codes to apply, provided that you reside within one of the eligible postcodes (PDF 85 KB).

Mode QTAC Code
Charleville
(Trimester 1 intake only) 		 916391
Charleville - ENs
(Trimester 1 intake only) 		 916491

For applicants (including ENs) who wish to undertake their residential school courses at the Geraldton Universities Centre (GUC) in Geraldton, WA, please use the following QTAC code to apply. In addition, you'll need to submit an Expression of Interest form from GUC with your application. 

Mode QTAC Code
Geraldton
(Trimester 1 intake only) 		 906385

Copy your QTAC code and continue through to the QTAC website to complete your application.

Apply through QTAC

Intakes

  • Applications for 2025 are now open.

Please note: Meeting entry requirements does not guarantee admission. Places within the Bachelor of Nursing are limited by quota. Quota size is determined by the availability of hospital placements. Where the quota is filled, no further places will be offered. As places are limited in this degree, applications may close early if all places are filled for a specific intake.

From 2025, this degree will be offered in Trimester study periods. You can select to start in Trimester 1, 2 or 3.

Study period  Application closing date Orientation  Study period start date Finish date
Trimester 1, 2025  Monday 10 February Monday 3 February  Monday 10 February  Friday 9 May
Trimester 2, 2025 Monday 26 May Monday 19 May Monday 26 May  Friday 22 August
Trimester 3, 2025 Monday 8 September Monday 1 September Monday 8 September Friday 5 December 

More information on applying key dates is available.

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.

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Got questions?

 

Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*Good Universities Guide 2024

Talk to us
How long does a Bachelor of Nursing take?
A Bachelor of Nursing will take you approximately three years to complete. Some students choose to study part-time which increases the time it takes to finish the required courses. You have a maximum of six years to complete the degree.
What can you do with a Bachelor of Nursing?

A nursing degree opens up career paths in a variety of health care areas as a registered nurse. You might want to consider careers in:

Can you complete a Bachelor of Nursing online?

Our nursing degree is available to study externally which means you learn your subject theory online and attend on-campus residential schools. 

I am currently an enrolled nurse, how do I become a registered nurse?

To become a registered nurse you will need to complete a Bachelor of Nursing.  Evidence of AHPRA registration is required in your application to study and upon enrolment.

If it has been over 5 years since you completed a Diploma of Nursing qualification, additional supporting documentation will be required with your application to study. 

UniSQ's Bachelor of Nursing is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and to become a registered nurse upon completion of this degree you will need to satisfy the registration criteria of the NMBA.

Please view the entry requirements section of this page for details on supporting documentation.

Are flexible study options available?

You can choose to study our Bachelor of Nursing either on-campus (Ipswich and Toowoomba locations) or externally. Regardless of how you choose to study, you’ll experience the same level of support and opportunities to connect with others. Discover more about the different ways to study.

What pathways are available for a Bachelor of Nursing?

UniReady is a free and flexible pathway, giving you an alternative entry path into the Bachelor of Nursing.

How much does a Bachelor of Nursing cost in Australia?

The cost of a Bachelor of Nursing in Australia will vary depending on the education provider you choose.

When you study with us, the first year of your studies will cost approximately AUD 4000 (Commonwealth supported place), not including:

  • Clinical experience costs
  • Student services and amenities fees
  • Residential school costs.

Please view the fees and scholarships section of this page for details.

Why study a Bachelor of Nursing at UniSQ?
There are many great reasons to study a Bachelor of Nursing in Queensland and take the first steps to a fulfilling career:
  • Our research in nursing has been evaluated as world class in the recent ERA results.
  • The Midwifery Simulation Centre provides a real-life environment for you to develop your clinical nursing skills.
  • Our Nursing degree is fully accredited, aligning with current Australian professional nursing standards of practice.

A Bachelor of Nursing can lead to a fulfilling and rewarding career in health care with many opportunities for advancement.  The demand for health care workers, in particular nurses, is ongoing in Australia. Health Workforce Australia (HWA) estimates that there will be a shortage of over 109 000 nurses by 2025*. With many specialisations to choose from, including Rural and Remote Health, Public Health, Sport and Exercise, and Health Leadership, career opportunities in healthcare are vast.  

What is the difference between a Diploma and a Bachelor of Nursing?

Many people ask, ‘What education is needed to become a registered nurse?’ Understanding your different study options is the first step to answering this question.

A Diploma of Nursing typically qualifies you to work as an enrolled nurse, while a Bachelor of Nursing fulfils the registered nurse requirements, which comes with greater responsibilities, scope of practice, and career advancement opportunities. 

What do you learn in a Bachelor of Nursing?

UniSQ’s BS Nursing covers essential nursing topics such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and patient care. You’ll also gain practical experience through clinical placements, preparing you to work in a range of healthcare settings.

What can I study after a Bachelor of Nursing?

After completing a nursing course in Australia, such as a Bachelor of Nursing, you can pursue specialised postgraduate courses, such as midwifery, mental health nursing, age care nursing or nurse practitioner qualifications. You could also advance into leadership roles through further study.

Why should I pursue nurse study in Australia?

Australia offers high-quality nursing education with internationally recognised qualifications. Studying a Bachelor of Nursing in Brisbane or a Bachelor of Nursing in Queensland provides you with access to modern healthcare facilities, diverse clinical experiences, and strong career prospects both locally and globally.

After completing a BS Nursing many people ask, ‘What do you need to become a nurse practitioner?’ To follow this career path, you will need advanced clinical experience and a master’s degree that’s approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

Can I study a Bachelor of Nursing without ATAR?
Yes, the nursing ATAR required for entry into the BS Nursing will vary depending on the education provider you choose. If you don’t have an ATAR or didn’t meet the ATAR requirements, we offer UniReady, a free and flexible pathway option into the BS Nursing.
Does a Bachelor of Nursing have numeracy and English requirements?
Yes, strong skills in numeracy and English are essential for nursing. Most nursing courses in Australia will require you to meet minimum standards in both to ensure you can effectively communicate and manage patient care.