Nursing and midwifery career options

Becoming an Enrolled nurse 

Enrolled nurses work under the direction and supervision of registered nurses and midwives and provide nursing care in many settings.

To become an enrolled nurse, it is necessary to complete a Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 Nursing) which is usually studied full time over 18 months (or the equivalent part time).

Upon successful completion of the Diploma of Nursing (Pre-Enrolment), graduates will have reached the competency levels required to be eligible to apply for entry onto the nursing register.

Enrolled nurses brochure (PDF 535KB)

Course and application information

Applications are processed through the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Further information regarding courses and entry requirements is available at www.satac.edu.au/

Pathways into nursing

Aged Care workers (Certificates 3 or 4) who wish to become enrolled nurses may be given credit for what is identified as prior learning.

Advanced Skills Enrolled Nurse (ASEN)

Advanced Skills Enrolled Nurses have additional skills, knowledge and qualifications in enrolled nursing

Registered nurse

Registered nurses are authorised to practice without supervision while being accountable and responsible for the provision of nursing care.

To apply to become a registered nurse in Australia, individuals must first have completed a program of study accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council and approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

Programs of study eligible for accreditation (often referred to as entry to practice programs) are delivered by a government accredited university or higher education provider and lead to the award of a Bachelor or Masters degree in Nursing.

Upon successful completion of an appropriate degree, the graduate will have reached the required competency levels required to be eligible to apply for entry onto the nursing register.

Registered nurses brochure (PDF 745KB)

Course and application information

Further information regarding courses and entry requirements is available at:

Pathways into nursing

Enrolled nurses and registered midwives who wish to become registered nurses may be given recognition for identified prior learning.

Midwifery

Registered midwives have the knowledge and the skills to work with women during pre-conception, pregnancy, labour, birth, and to provide care for the mother and baby.

Additionally they may work in the areas of sexual and reproductive health.

The Bachelor of Midwifery can be studied either as an undergraduate degree (some may have done other degrees first), or post registration/professional entry. The first undergraduate degree program is studied full time over three years and the post registration/professional entry degree program is studied full time over eighteen months (or the equivalent part time).

Upon successful completion of a Bachelor of Midwifery course, the graduate will have reached the required competency levels to be eligible to apply for entry onto the midwifery register.

Careers in midwifery brochure (PDF 425KB)

Course and application information

Further information regarding courses and entry requirements is available at:

Applications are processed through the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Further information is available at SATAC website.

Mental health

Mental health nurses utilise specialist nursing skills in the assessment and management of mental illness and apply these skills in a variety of roles and settings: 

  • Registered nurses who wish to pursue a career in mental health are required to complete a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing.

Mental health nurse brochure (PDF 412KB)

Nurse Practitioner

The Nurse Practitioners role extends beyond the usual scope of nursing practice.

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia – approved programs of study

Approved programs of study leading to registration, endorsement and notation of applicants for registration as an Enrolled Nurse (EN), Registered Nurse (RN) and Midwife (RM) are available at the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (National Board).