Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
160Course code
Overview
The Master of Nursing Practice (Pre-Registration) is a professionally accredited degree that will allow you to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia as a Registered Nurse (Division 1).
At CDU, you can study a Master of Nursing Practice (Pre-Registration) online or on campus, part-time or full-time. During the course, you will develop your critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills, which are essential in your registered nurse role. The focus is on evidence-based nursing care and respect for the diverse contexts, cultures and communities where people live, connect and experience health, well-being, illness and disability.
Practical training
To complete the Master of Nursing Practice (Pre-Registration) and qualify as a Registered Nurse, you must undertake two types of practical experience: simulation blocks and supervised placements.
You will complete three simulation blocks (96 hours) during your study, which you will complete full-time at the Sydney (NSW), Darwin (NT), or Brisbane (QLD) (external students only) simulation sites. To meet the requirements of a Registered Nurse (Division 1), you will complete at least 800 hours of supervised clinical placements across the two years of the course in various healthcare settings in your state/territory of residency. Regardless of your study mode or pattern, you must complete clinical placement full-time, with rotating shifts across a seven-day week. These may include night, weekend and public holiday shifts. Students are responsible for the cost of clinical placement and simulation block attendance (including travel and accommodation).
Reasonable travel to attend placements is an expectation. Travel time and distance can include up to 2 hours one-way for metropolitan or rural areas. Your placement is sourced within a 150-kilometre radius of where you live.
English Language Requirements
To register as a nurse in Australia, you must meet the English language requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. This requirement applies to all initial registrations, regardless of whether they qualified in Australia or overseas. Learn more about the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) at www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/.
Safe Practice - Inherent Requirements
To study nursing and practice safely, you must have an inherent set of qualities. Nursing requires a degree of physical strength and mobility, endurance, communication, and cognitive abilities. If you experience challenges in meeting these requirements, you are encouraged to discuss these with the University before enrolling in the course.
Reporting obligations
Under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, CDU must register nursing students with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and notify AHPRA if a student has or develops a health impairment that may place the public at substantial risk of harm--more information from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) at www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/.
Career opportunities
Graduating from this course may lead to career opportunities in public and private health settings and specialty areas such as mental health, community health, acute and chronic care.
Practical experience
This course includes a minimum of 800 hours clinical placement.
Professional recognition
Graduates of the Master of Nursing (pre-registration) are eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia).
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.
Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study in 2026 is AUD $38,656.00. This equates to $ $4,832.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Future-proof your career in healthcare with a postgraduate nursing or midwifery degree at CDU. Delivered by passionate and expert lecturers, your learning will be guided by evidence, innovation and patient-centred care.
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.
- Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Future-proof your career in healthcare with a postgraduate nursing or midwifery degree at CDU. Delivered by passionate and expert lecturers, your learning will be guided by evidence, innovation and patient-centred care.
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.
- Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
What will I study?
This 160-credit point course consists of fifteen core units.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (15 units) | 160cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 40 credit points as detailed below. NUR531 Australian First Nations People's Health and Social Justice |
| 160cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge, pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements for each unit.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| NUR571 The Body, its Function, Dysfunction and Nursing Care 1 | CO | NUR573 Research for Healthcare Practice | CO |
| NUR531 Australian First Nations People's Health and Social Justice | CO | NUR575 Pharmacology | CO |
| NUR572 Nursing and the Australian Health System | CO | NUR576 The Body, its Function, Dysfunction and Nursing Care 2 | CO |
| NUR574 Clinical Practice* ** | CO | NUR578 Acute Clinical Practice 1 ** | CO |
| Year 2 | |||
| NUR577 Mental Health (20cp) ** | CO | NUR582 High Acuity Clinical Practice ** | CO |
| NUR580 Acute Clinical Practice 2 ** | CO | NUR581 Leadership in Clinical Practice | CO |
| NUR579 Specialist Nursing* | CO | HEA527 Research Skills for Health Professionals | CO |
| NUR605 Transit to Safe Independent Practice ** | CO | ||
*Simulation Block: Students are required to attend a 32 hour (4 day) on-campus simulation block as part of this unit.
** Work Integrated Learning: Students are required to attend the clinical placement hours as allocated by CDU Placement Office.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| NUR531 Australian First Nations People's Health and Social Justice | CO | NUR573 Research for Healthcare Practice | CO |
| NUR571 The Body, its Function, Dysfunction and Nursing Care 1 | CO | NUR575 Pharmacology | CO |
| Year 2 | |||
| NUR572 Nursing and the Australian Health System | CO | NUR576 The Body, its Function, Dysfunction and Nursing Care 2 | CO |
| NUR574 Clinical Practice* ** | CO | NUR578 Acute Clinical Practice 1 ** | CO |
| Year 3 | |||
| NUR577 Mental Health (20cp) ** | CO | NUR581 Leadership in Clinical Practice | CO |
| HEA527 Research Skills for Health Professionals | CO | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| NUR580 Acute Clinical Practice 2 ** | CO | NUR582 High Acuity Clinical Practice ** | CO |
| NUR579 Specialist Nursing* | CO | NUR605 Transit to Safe Independent Practice ** | CO |
*Simulation Block: Students are required to attend a 32 hour (4 day) on-campus simulation block as part of this unit.
** Work Integrated Learning: Students are required to attend the clinical placement hours as allocated by CDU Placement Office.
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2
This course doesn't have Semester 2 commencement.
Entry requirements
Quota
The Master of Nursing Practice (Pre-Registration) is a highly competitive course with a limited number of places. This means that although you may meet the minimum entry requirement for the course, you may not be ranked high enough to receive an offer. Subquotas are in place for First Nation and NT Resident applicants. For on campus study at Casuarina Campus, priority will be given to NT Residents who have resided in the NT for at least the previous twelve months.
Subquotas Based on Residency
For each location, there is a subquota for applicants who currently reside in that state or territory. This ensures that applicants with local ties can contribute to healthcare within their own communities. To be considered for the residency subquota, you must have a current address within the state or territory you are applying for.
| Delivery Location | Mode | Attendance Type | SATAC Code |
| Casuarina Campus | Internal | Full-time | 1CM213 |
| Casuarina Campus | Internal | Part-time | 1CM214 |
| CDU Sydney Campus | Internal | Full-time | 1CM215 |
| CDU Sydney Campus | Internal | Part-time | 1CM216 |
| Online | External | Full-time | 1CM217 |
| Online | External | Part-time | 1CM218 |
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree or equivalent international qualification.
Please note that credit will not be permitted for any units completed as part of the recognised bachelor degree (or equivalent international qualification) used as the basis of admission.
Additional admission requirements
All applicants to Nursing courses must meet a specific level of English language proficiency before being considered for an offer. Evidence must be uploaded via their SATAC application, demonstrating they meet or exceed the minimum standards outlined. These English Language Skills Registration Standards are set and outlined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) at www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/.
You can demonstrate English language proficiency in one of three ways:
- completing a declaration that English is your primary language; or
- sitting an approved English language proficiency test; or
- holding current AHPRA registration as an Enrolled Nurse or Midwife.
Essential requirements
Pre-clinical requirements:
Students must provide proof that they have met all university and State/Territory pre-clinical requirements at the commencement of the course to undertake those units that include clinical placement. These requirements include, but are not limited to, immunisation requirements, Senior First Aid qualification, annual criminal record checks and/or working with children clearances and fitness-to-practice requirements.
Students must be able to travel to their allocated Simulation Block campus (Darwin, Sydney or Brisbane (external students only) to attend their simulated practice.
Students need to be able available to attend allocated placements and complete early, late, night, weekday, weekend and public holiday shifts as rostered.
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
All applicants to nursing and midwifery courses are required to meet the English Language Skills Registration Standard as outlined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) at www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/and will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
English language proficiency can be evidenced for this course by one of the following:
- completing a declaration that English is your primary language, or
- sitting an English language proficiency test, or
- being an AHPRA registered enrolled nurse.
PRIMARY LANGUAGE PATHWAY
A signed English Language Declaration indicating the following:
- English is your primary language: and
- You have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country*, including at least two years between years 7 and 12.
*Recognised countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guernsey, Guyana, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Malta, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan de Cunha, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America, and US Virgin Islands.
OR
ENGLISH TEST PATHWAY
Applicants have achieved and can supply evidence of the required minimum scores in one of the following English language tests:
| Minimum score requirements | Test information | |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 7.0 Minimum scores: > Listening 7.0 > Reading 7.0 > Speaking 7.0 > Writing 6.5 No band below 6.5 when combining two tests. | IELTS Indicator Test is not accepted. |
| Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 66 Minimum scores: > Listening 66 > Reading 66 > Speaking 66 > Writing 56 No band below 56 when combining two tests. | PTE Online is not accepted |
| Test of English as a Foreign language (TOEFL) | Overall minimum: 94 Minimum scores: > Listening 24 > Reading 24 > Speaking 23 > Writing 24 No band below the following when combining two tests. > Listening 20 > Reading 19 > Speaking 20 > Writing 24 | TOEFL Home Edition is not accepted |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | Overall minimum: B Minimum scores: > Listening B > Reading B > Speaking B > Writing C+ No band below C+ when combining two tests. | |
| Cambridge (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency) | Overall minimum: 185 Minimum scores: > Listening185 > Reading 185 > Speaking 185 > Writing 176 No score below 176 when combining two tests. |
English language proficiency tests are valid for 12 months from the date of the test to the date of commencement of the course.
OR
ENROLLED NURSE PATHWAY
Applicants who have current AHPRA registration as an Enrolled Nurse or Midwife meet the English requirements. Applicants must include their AHPRA registration number and ensure registration is current as of the course commencement date.
Further information
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| Cambridge (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency) | A minimum overall score of 185 with no score below 185 in listening, reading, and speaking, and no score below 176 in writing. |
| IELTS Academic Module | A minimum overall score of 7.0 with no score below 7.0 in listening, reading, and speaking, and no score below 6.5 in writing. |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | A minimum overall grade of B with no grade below B in listening, reading, and speaking, and no grade below C+ in writing. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 66 with no score below 66 in listening, reading, and speaking, and no score below 56 in writing. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 94 with no score below 24 in listening, reading, and writing, and no score below 23 in speaking. |
* The IELTS Indicator, PTE Online and TEOFL Home Edition tests are not accepted.
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
It’s a two-way education, educators here listen to us as much as we listen to them, so classroom experiences are amazing. I’ve also made a lot of friends through our regular group assignments or projects.
Farhana
CDU student
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
It’s a two-way education, educators here listen to us as much as we listen to them, so classroom experiences are amazing. I’ve also made a lot of friends through our regular group assignments or projects.
Farhana
CDU student
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about nursing at CDU
Reeya is from Nepal studying a Bachelor of Nursing at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about nursing at CDU
Reeya is from Nepal studying a Bachelor of Nursing at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
International applications
Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.
You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.
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