Bachelor of Nursing

VU course code: HBNB | CRICOS: 080229E | Level of study: Undergraduate

ATAR

Lowest selection rank: 64*

Duration

3 years full time

Delivery mode

In Person

Fees

Commonwealth supported place

Location

St Albans Campus

All start dates

Overview

Become a nurse to embark on a stimulating and diverse career in healthcare with a Bachelor of Nursing at Victoria University (VU).

A highly-valued nursing degree from VU will equip you with a broad set of skills to work as a Division 1 Registered Nurse in hospitals and healthcare with a diverse range of patients.

Based at our St Albans Campus, our Bachelor of Nursing program will ensure that you have sound scientific knowledge as well as hands-on nursing experience. This includes:

800 professional practice hours in work placements
140 clinical simulation hours at Sunshine Clinical School during your third year of study.

You’ll practise your skills in a safe environment using modern technology, then gain practical experience in the workplace through clinical placements.

During your nursing degree, you’ll enhance your communication skills and ability to be patient and tactful when dealing with people from all backgrounds and cultures, preparing you for a rewarding career in nursing.

Our sought-after VU nursing graduates are employed in a variety of organisations such as Royal Children’s Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital and Royal Flying Doctor Service.

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Exhibit values, behaviours, attributes and professional knowledge congruent with quality, safe, ethical, legal and culturally appropriate provision of nursing practice in a range of health care settings across the domains of physical health, mental health and aged care to meet the Registered Nurse Standards of Practice;
Integrate evidence-based nursing knowledge with scientific concepts that underpin nursing practice employing clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills;
Contextualise comprehensive health assessment techniques to evaluate physical, psychosocial, sociocultural, spiritual aspects of individuals across the lifespan, using a person-centred approach that ensures accountability within the scope of practice in an interprofessional context;
Plan, implement and evaluate contemporary nursing practice within the context of evidence-based recommendations across the lifespan in primary, secondary and tertiary contexts in response to regional, national and global health priorities;
Exemplify cultural responsiveness, sensitivity and inclusive practice and promote the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culturally diverse communities;
Exemplify therapeutic and interpersonal skills using face-to-face and digital health communication within professional nursing practice;
Critically reflect on own nursing practice to identify professional needs and opportunities, to inform development, and support evaluation of self-directed and lifelong learning; and
Evaluate practices that support public health advocacy and environmental stewardship, while assessing emerging trends and approaches in digital health and informatics within the Australian healthcare context.
: As a VU student, you’ll get to immerse yourself in the day-to-day work of a nurse by completing 800 professional practice hours through work placements with our industry partners.
Benefit from VU’s strong industry connections with:
Western Health
Mercy Health Services
Melbourne Health
over 200 clinical agencies.
Our close industry partnerships also mean all your course material is regularly updated in-line with current healthcare practice, so you’ll graduate with the skills and knowledge to enter the workforce with confidence.
Find out more about nursing and midwifery placements.
: As a nursing student, you’ll get to practise what you learn in safe, supported, high-tech learning environments to prepare you to work with real patients confidently.
With 140 clinical simulation hours included in your Bachelor of Nursing, you’ll get access to our state-of-the-art nursing simulation laboratories at the St Albans Campus and at Sunshine Clinical School, VU’s new dedicated teaching facility embedded in Sunshine Hospital where you’ll spend part of your third year.
These laboratories are designed to simulate a hospital environment, to prepare you for working with real patients. They are also equipped with fixed cameras that enable video recording and live video streaming to give you an immersive learning experience.

Nursing at VU Sunshine Clinical School

Nursing at VU Sunshine Clinical School - transcript

Entry requirements

Please note: This is a competitive course with limited places available for 1st and 2nd year students. Meeting the entry requirements does not guarantee an offer.

When assessing your application, we consider your educational achievements and work experience, as well as your skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a related course or unit(s). We call this a ‘pathway’.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

ATAR requirements

Minimum ATAR: 64*

ATAR related adjustments

A study score of 25 in Biology, Chemistry, Health and Human Development, any Mathematics, Physics or Psychology equals 5 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 20 points.

This course has a minimum ATAR entry requirement. This means you’ll need to achieve a certain ATAR, along with other criteria, to be considered for this course.

The following table shows the ranking results of our current student intake and is an indication of the ATAR you’ll need to successfully apply.

*Minimum ATAR is based on the lowest selection rank (ATAR plus adjustments) that received an offer for the Semester 1, 2026 intake. Use as a guide only.

VU course code: HBNB

VTAC course code: 4301343351

Campus: St Albans

ATAR profile of people who received an offer for the Bachelor of Nursing.
	ATAR (Excluding adjustment factors)	Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Highest rank to receive an offer	86.55	94
Median rank to receive an offer	61.10	76.40
Lowest rank to receive an offer	49.45	64

Learn more about ATAR

What is ATAR?

The Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) compares the results of final-year school students, with adjustments made for factors such as hardship. The ranking is expressed as a number between 0 and 99.95. ATAR minimum entry requirements are not usually essential entry criteria for applicants who have completed secondary education more than 2 years ago.

English requirements

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) English language skills registration standard.

See the NMBA website for more information

Entry criteria

Minimum entry criteria include:

English-language requirements
academic requirements.

Your work and life experience will also be considered.

To find specific entry requirements for this course, please select the section below that is most relevant to you.

Meeting the minimum entry criteria does not guarantee entry into this course.

Essential for admission (all applicants)

Police check: Students must complete a National Police Records or Fit-2-Work check on admission to the course and on an annual basis.

Working with Children Check: Students must complete a Working with Children Check on admission to the course.

Specified DoH Immunisations with serology testing valid for completion of course. Flu vax to be completed yearly.

Fitness for Practice: Students must be prepared to declare their fitness for practice on admission and prior to undertaking hospital/agency placements by completing the Fitness for Practice Declaration Form on inPlace.

The University has a duty of care to ensure that students who undertake professional experience placements are both physically and mentally able, in a sustained manner, to engage in the experience.

Early identification of fitness to practice concerns allows the University to discuss with students potential reasonable adjustments to assist them to undertake their placement. Any agreed adjustments must not compromise the safety and wellbeing of the student and must ensure safety of the public.

For further information refer to the Nursing Inherent Requirements.

Students should plan for lead time and associated costs to meet the English language entry requirements, and all mandatory placement requirements. It is important to note that the lead time to complete the outlined mandatory documents/ requirements can take up to 5 months. The associated cost to obtain the mandatory checks and immunisations is approximately $300 to over $500, with variation due to individual circumstances and annual price adjustments. Students are responsible for all costs incurred. Further information regarding completion of mandatory documents and requirements will be provided after enrolment.

: This information is relevant if, in the 2 years prior to studying with us, you have completed (or will complete) one of the following:

Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE)

an Australian or overseas equivalent to VCE

an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English.
AND
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in one of Biology, Chemistry, Health and Human Development, any Mathematics or Psychology.

Please ALSO refer to ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section regarding English language skills registration standard for domestic students.
: This information is relevant if you have completed an accredited award (such as a certificate or diploma) at an Australian Registered Training Organisation (usually a TAFE, polytechnic or other registered VET institute).

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent) in Nursing, Health Sciences or similar.

Please ALSO refer to ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section regarding English language skills registration standard for domestic students.
: This information is relevant if you’ve previously completed all or part of a university or other higher-education course.

Admission criteria

Completed at least one semester of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent) in a Health Sciences related discipline.

Please ALSO refer to ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section regarding English language skills registration standard for domestic students.
: This information is relevant if you left secondary school more than two years ago and haven’t studied since.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) more than two years ago including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English.
AND
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in one of Biology, Chemistry, Health And Human Development, any Mathematics or Psychology.

Please ALSO refer to ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section regarding English language skills registration standard for domestic students.
: Take a look at a student profile to get an overview of students who have previously enrolled in this course.

Applicant background Number of students Percentage of all students

(A) Past Higher Education Study
(includes a bridging or enabling course) 97 25.0%

(B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study 88 22.7%

(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)
38 9.8%

(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
11 2.8%

(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
(e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
9 2.3%

(D) Work and Life experience 12 3.1%

International students 133 34.3%

All students 388 100%

"<5" – the number of students is less than 5.
N/A – Students not accepted in this category.
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.

Applicant background	Number of students	Percentage of all students
(A) Past Higher Education Study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	97	25.0%
(B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study	88	22.7%
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	38	9.8%
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)	11	2.8%
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)	9	2.3%
(D) Work and Life experience	12	3.1%
International students	133	34.3%
All students	388	100%

Special entry programs

Special admission programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of the course.

You should carefully consider the inherent requirement statement as a:

guide for your learning during the course
way for you to identify challenges you may have in studying this course.

Learn more about inherent requirements

Additional information

All mandatory documentation must be completed and submitted onto VU WIL at least two weeks prior to the commencement of HNB1205 Foundations in Nursing 2. Students who have not successfully submitted documentation, will be withdrawn from HNB1205.

Evidence of mandatory documents and vaccinations for placement is a hurdle for specific year 2 and year 3 units. Evidence of achievement of the required vaccinations and documents is due by 5pm on Friday of Week 3 of the Block in order to be eligible to pass the unit and to go on placement.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL DOMESTIC STUDENTS ON NURSING AND MIDWIFERY BOARD OF AUSTRALIA (NMBA) ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS REGISTRATION STANDARDS
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) English language skills registration standard. Proof of this English language competency can be achieved via ONE of the following three pathways:

Primary Language Pathway

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that their primary language is English and they have satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in a recognised country or territory, including at least two years between years 7 and 12.

Extended Education Pathway

If English is not your primary language, applicants for registration must be able to demonstrate that they have satisfactorily completed five years (full-time equivalent) of education taught and assessed in English, including your Bachelor of Nursing in one of the recognised countries or territories.

Note: It is a requirement of the NMBA English language skills registration standard, for registration as an Enrolled Nurse via this pathway, that five years (full-time equivalent) continuous education in total is completed.

English Language Test Pathway

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in one of the following English language tests and meet the requirements for test results specified in NMBA’s English language skills registration standard, As of April 2026 the requirements below apply:

• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 7.0 (with no individual band less than 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking and no less than 6.5 in the writing band);
OR
• OET with a minimum score of 350 in the listening and writing components and a minimum score of 360 in the speaking and reading components;
OR
• PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 63 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 58 for listening, 59 for reading, 60 for writing and 76 for the speaking component;
OR
• TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 91 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 22 for listening, 22 for reading, 23 for writing, and 24 for the speaking component;
OR
Cambridge C1 Advanced: Minimum overall score of 178 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 175 for listening, 179 for reading, 180 for writing and 194 for the speaking component;
OR
Cambridge C2 Proficiency: Minimum overall score of 185 and in each of the three components (listening, reading, speaking) and minimum score of 176 in the one component of writing.

Applicants can obtain further information about the Standard at: http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Please note: There may be a limit on how many students can access pathways to the Bachelor of Nursing due to high demand. If you are eligible for a pathway but unsuccessful in securing a place, please contact VUHQ (Student Service Centre) on + 61 3 9919 6100 for advice.

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Nursing students will be required to complete:

288 credit points of Core studies.

Units

After you are accepted into your course, you will need to enrol in your course units.

During enrolment, use your course delivery plan to understand the structure and requirements of your course.

Fees & scholarships

University fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer (including our generous scholarship program).

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is subsidised by the government, reducing it to the amount listed here. Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens will qualify for a CSP place. If your course is not Commonwealth supported, or you don't qualify, you'll pay full fees.

Learn more about Commonwealth Supported Places

Fees

Scholarships

Placement payment

The Commonwealth Practicum Payment (CPP) provides a cost-of-living payment to ease financial pressure during placements.

The Government payment is available to domestic students undertaking mandatory placements who meet income and placement criteria.

Check my eligibility

Careers

The current and future demand for nurses is strong.

As a registered nurse, you’ll enjoy a diverse and flexible career and be able to work across metropolitan, regional and rural areas in fields including:

general practice
acute care
paediatric care
rehabilitation
aged care
mental health
residential care
emergency
research
health education.

Visit the Jobs and Skills Australia website to learn more about the average salary for registered nurses.

Accreditation

You will graduate qualified to register as a Division 1 Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

Start dates

Melbourne

On campus – Melbourne St Albans Campus

Course starts 15 February 2027

Applications close 07 February 2027

Course starts 26 April 2027

Applications close 18 April 2027

*Terms & conditions apply

Apply via VTAC if you are:

in Year 12 or
applying to multiple universities

VTAC course code 4301343351

VTAC timely applications are due by 28 September 2026

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information on this page, please note that dates are subject to change. Some courses may close early due to an earlier start date or there being limited places available.