Courses to Be a Registered Nurse: A Practical Guide for Australians

What education is needed to become a registered nurse

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia defines a registered nurse as a person who has completed the prescribed education preparation, demonstrates competence to practise and is registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NMBA).

• Complete an approved nursing program, usually a bachelor degree, from a university or other approved provider.
• Check the program is accredited before you enrol; the ANMAC website explains nursing program accreditation.
• Complete the clinical placements built into the course, which give you supervised hands-on practice.
• Apply to Ahpra for registration and meet the Board’s registration standards.

Courses to be a registered nurse: bachelor degree and university options

A registered nurse bachelor degree from a university is one route, and the right course depends on what you have already studied. The table sets out the main routes.

Ask each university how it supports students who work while studying, since placements usually need flexible time. If you want to see where nursing can lead, read about registered nurse career pathways.

Study registered nurse online: what is possible

Some universities offer much of the theory online, but the course still includes clinical placements in person.

• Look for an ANMAC-accredited program that lists online or blended delivery, with on-campus intensives and placement blocks.
• Expect to attend practical skills sessions and workplace placements in a real health setting.
• Ask how the provider arranges placements and how much notice you will get.
• Treat short online courses, such as first aid or communication units, as extras that may help your job search but do not replace an accredited degree.

We are always looking for reliable, caring support workers and health professionals in Sydney and Melbourne. Send us your details, qualifications and availability.

How to become a registered nurse online step by step

The online route follows the same steps as any other pathway, with placements at the centre.

1. 1Pick an accredited provider. Check the course is accredited and read the entry requirements for your situation.
2. 2Confirm how placements work. Ask where placements are held, how far you may need to travel and how many blocks you will do.
3. 3Enrol and plan your study time. Block out regular study hours and talk with family or your employer about placement weeks.
4. 4Complete your placements and assessments. Keep copies of placement records and feedback from supervisors.
5. 5Apply to Ahpra before you finish. Ahpra recommends graduates apply up to 90 days before they expect to finish (Ahpra).
6. 6Wait for your results to be sent. Ahpra aims to finish assessment within two weeks of receiving results from your education provider.

Courses to be a registered nurse: accreditation, certificate and training

People use these words differently, so here is what each one usually means in Australia.

• Accreditation: ANMAC accredits the nursing program itself, while Ahpra registers the individual nurse after they graduate.
• Certificate: a certificate III can lead to roles such as nursing assistant, but it is not a registered nurse qualification.
• Training: registered nurse training combines classroom learning with supervised clinical practice on placement.
• Short courses: first aid, manual handling and disability awareness units can add to your resume, and our guides to a disability support worker course and a disability course online explain options in that field.

Registered nurse refresher program

A refresher program is for nurses who have been out of practice and need to update skills before returning.

• Contact Ahpra first to confirm whether your registration status requires a program or other recency of practice steps.
• Ask Ahpra which refresher or re-entry programs are recognised for returning to practice before you enrol.
• Expect a mix of theory updates and supervised clinical time so you can rebuild confidence with current practice.
• Ask your former employer whether it offers any re-entry support.

Registered nurse course cost and what you earn

Course fees vary by university, study mode and funding place, so check the current fees with each provider rather than relying on a general figure.

• Ask each university for the fee for your student type and whether you can defer fees through a government loan scheme.
• Budget for extras such as uniforms, placement travel and registration fees, which are separate from tuition.

Many nurses’ minimum pay is set by the Nurses Award 2020, although an enterprise agreement or other instrument may apply instead. The rates below are award minimums consolidated to 1 August 2026 (Fair Work Ombudsman).

See our guide to registered nurse salary for more on pay, and what a registered nurse does for a picture of the day-to-day work.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Enrolling in a course before checking that it is accredited by ANMAC, which can leave you unable to register.
• Assuming an online certificate will make you a registered nurse when only an accredited nursing program leads to registration.
• Leaving your Ahpra application until after graduation instead of applying in the window Ahpra recommends.
• Underestimating placement demands, including travel and time away from paid work.
• Ignoring other routes into care, such as enrolled nursing or support work, while you decide on a degree.

We are always looking for reliable, caring support workers and health professionals in Sydney and Melbourne. Send us your details, qualifications and availability.

Your next step

Once you know which pathway suits you, shortlist two or three accredited courses and ask each for fees, placement details and entry requirements. If you want experience in care while you study, TQN Care works with NDIS support workers across Sydney and Melbourne, and we value reliability and kindness as much as qualifications. Get in touch to talk through what would suit you.