Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery
Course summary for international students
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong), Warrnambool |
| Length | 4 years full-time |
| Fee paying annual fee - commencing 2026 | $44,600 for 1 yr full-time AUD |
| CRICOS code | 057656M Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong), Warrnambool |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| VTAC codes | 1400414363 - Waterfront (Geelong), International full-fee paying place 1400514363 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place 1400714363 - Warrnambool, International full-fee paying place |
| Deakin course code | D355 |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Professional recognition
- Fees and charges
- Career opportunities
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Admission criteria
- Academic requirements - Current or recent secondary education
- Academic requirements - Higher education study
- Academic requirements - VET study
- Academic requirements - Work and life experience
- English language proficiency requirements
- Admissions information
- Pathways
- Credit for prior learning - general
- Articulated courses
- Workload
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
Course overview
Join one of the strongest growth areas within the health sector with Deakin's Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery. Secure your future career, with nursing and midwifery job opportunities expected to grow by 11.1% by 2029.^ Developed in consultation with our healthcare partners, ensuring you're always connected to those at the forefront of the industry, preparing you to provide high quality woman-centred midwifery care and patient-centred nursing care.
Professional experience placements are undertaken in various metropolitan, regional, and rural healthcare settings and provide an opportunity to care for women and people from diverse cultural backgrounds in a range of health care settings. Ranked #14 in the world for nursing* this accredited course provides you with knowledge, skills, and ethical understanding required to become a successful registered nurse and midwife – once you graduate the choice is yours as to which career path you select.
Aspiring to enter the health care sector with the confidence to succeed as both a nurse and a midwife?
Under the supervision of registered nurses and midwives, you will gain real-world experience by working within multidisciplinary healthcare teams across areas including:
- maternity care, including pregnancy, birthing and post-natal
- neonatal special care
- paediatrics
- acute/sub-acute care
- medical and surgical care
- aged care
- rehabilitation
- community settings
- mental health care settings.
Professional experience placements begin in Trimester 1 of your first year and continue throughout every trimester of the course with a total of 800 hours for nursing and approximately 840 hours for the midwifery component.
Gain a valuable mix of hands-on clinical practice and theory with a nursing and midwifery school ranked #14 in the world.* As one of the most research-active schools in Australia, our School of Nursing and Midwifery boasts some of the best facilities and resources available.
As a nurse and midwife, you will be part of the largest health professional group in the world. This means your skills will be in-demand, both in Australia and overseas.
Explore our diverse nursing courses, including double degrees like the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion and the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Psychological Science, designed to help you combine your interests, broaden your expertise and stand out in the healthcare workforce.
^2024 Occupation Projections - for the five years to 2029, Australian Government, Jobs and Skills Australia
*2025 ShanghaiRankings Global Ranking of Academic Subjects
Professional recognition
On successful completion of your course, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse and Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
The NMBA has mandatory registration standards that applicants need to meet to be registered. Course completion is one of these requirements. Core registration standards are available on the NMBA website.
This course is accredited with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and is an NMBA approved course.
Fees and charges
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook. Learn more about fees and available payment options.
Career opportunities
Nursing and midwifery are careers rich with opportunity, you will be highly sought after by industry for your knowledge, critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills, professionalism, and the ability to provide woman-centred and person-centred evidence-based care – which is why we are proud to record a high graduate employment rate of over 93%.*
As a registered nurse or registered nurse/midwife, you can pursue a global career in a range of work settings, such as:
- hospitals
- homes
- hospices
- aged care settings
- clinics
- schools
- universities
- government agencies and private industries.
Nursing and midwifery are diverse professions with a number of specialty practice areas available, it is expected that graduates will maintain professional development throughout their careers. This may include postgraduate degrees and/or research degrees, including masters and PhDs.
*Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-2023, based on overall employment for undergraduate nursing graduates, Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT).
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes | Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Thinks critically, analyses evidence and evaluates outcomes to inform quality nursing practice. | GLO4: Critical thinking: evaluating information using critical and analytical thinking and judgment |
| Foster effective therapeutic and professional relationships to ensure safe and quality care across the lifespan. | GLO2: Communication: using oral, written and interpersonal communication to inform, motivate and effect change. GLO7: Teamwork: working and learning with others from different disciplines and backgrounds |
| Self-manage behaviours to develop and maintain critical nursing knowledge, understanding and skills to ensure capability for practice in self and others. | GLO6: Self-management: working and learning independently, and taking responsibility for personal actions. |
| Apply nursing knowledge and capability in accordance with legal and ethical requirements to deliver comprehensive, holistic, culturally appropriate, evidence based, safe and quality care. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities: appropriate to the level of study related to a discipline or profession. GLO5: Problem solving: creating solutions to authentic (real world and ill-defined) problems |
| Use digital technologies in healthcare to locate, interpret and disseminate information and deliver quality and safe patient care. | GLO3: Digital literacy: using technologies to find, use and disseminate information. |
| Course Learning Outcomes | |
| Practice midwifery that is underpinned by the philosophy of woman-centred care. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities: appropriate to the level of study related to a discipline or profession. GLO2: Communication: using oral, written and interpersonal communication to inform, motivate and effect change. |
| Critically engage in a process of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation to provide evidence-based, safe and quality care to optimise outcomes in partnership with the woman. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities: appropriate to the level of study related to a discipline or profession. GLO3: Digital literacy: using technologies to find, use and disseminate information. GLO4: Critical thinking: evaluating information using critical and analytical thinking and judgment. GLO5: Problem solving: creating solutions to authentic (real world and ill-defined) problems. |
| Be a reflective lifelong learner who is cognisant of, and actively develops and maintains their midwifery knowledge, skills and mindsets required for contemporary midwifery practice. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities: appropriate to the level of study related to a discipline or profession. GLO3: Digital literacy: using technologies to find, use and disseminate information. GLO4: Critical thinking: evaluating information using critical and analytical thinking and judgment. GLO5: Problem solving: creating solutions to authentic (real world and ill-defined) problems. GLO6: Self-management: working and learning independently, and taking responsibility for personal actions. |
| Develop sustainable, respectful partnerships that are built on collaboration, mutual trust, respect and cultural safety. | GLO2: Communication: using oral, written and interpersonal communication to inform, motivate and effect change. GLO8: Global citizenship: engaging ethically and productively in the professional context, and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as well as diverse communities and cultures in a global context. |
| Foster effective professional relationships to ensure safe and quality care. | GLO2: Communication: using oral, written and interpersonal communication to inform, motivate and effect change. GLO6: Self-management: working and learning independently, and taking responsibility for personal actions. GLO7: Teamwork: working and learning with others from different disciplines and backgrounds. GLO8: Global citizenship: engaging ethically and productively in the professional context, and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as well as diverse communities and cultures in a global context. |
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery, you must pass 32 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 12 credit points of core nursing units
- 11 credit points of core midwifery units
- 9 credit points that are aligned with both the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Burwood and Waterfront Campus
Course structure for students who commenced in 2022 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2022 should refer to previous online Handbooks or contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Level 1 - Trimester 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HBS109 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology |
| HNN108 | Evidence-Based Practice |
| HNN112 | Quality and Safety: Nursing Practice 1 |
| HNN120 | Quality and Safety in Health Care 1 |
Level 1 - Trimester 2
| HNN104 | Care of the Child and Adolescent |
| HNN114 | Person-Centred Health Assessment |
| HNN124 | Quality and Safety: Nursing Practice 2 |
| HNM109 | Partnerships in Midwifery 1: Pregnancy Care |
Level 2 - Trimester 1
| HNN215 | Quality Use of Medicines |
| HNN227 | Acute Illness and Supportive Care (2 credit points) |
| HNM210 | Partnerships in Midwifery 2: Labour and Birth Care |
Level 2 - Trimester 2
| HNN154 | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' History, Culture and Health |
| HNN222 | Mental Health and Supportive Care (2 credit points) |
| HNM211 | Partnerships in Midwifery 3: Postnatal Care |
Level 3 - Trimester 1
| HNN329 | Chronic Illness and Supportive Care (2 credit points) |
| HNM322 | Complex Midwifery Care (2 credit points) |
Level 3 - Trimester 2
| HNN301 | Mental Health and Wellbeing |
| HNM323 | Neonatal Challenges in Midwifery Practice |
| HNM330 | Quality and Safety: Midwifery Practice 1 (2 credit points) |
Level 4 - Trimester 1
| HNN217 | Primary Health Care |
| HNN318 | Care of the Older Person |
| HNM331 | Quality and Safety: Midwifery Practice 2 |
| HNM333 | Emergency Midwifery Care |
Level 4 - Trimester 2
| HNN320 | Quality and Safety in Health Care 2 |
| HNN325 | Quality and Safety: Comprehensive Nursing Practice (2 credit points) |
| HNM334 | Contemporary Midwifery Practice |
Warrnambool Campus
Course structure for students who commenced in 2022 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2022 should refer to previous online Handbooks and consult your course enrolment officer.
Level 1 - Trimester 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points) |
| HBS109 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology |
| HNN108 | Evidence-Based Practice |
| HNN112 | Quality and Safety: Nursing Practice 1 |
| HNN120 | Quality and Safety in Health Care 1 |
Level 1 - Trimester 2
| HNN104 | Care of the Child and Adolescent |
| HNN114 | Person-Centred Health Assessment |
| HNN124 | Quality and Safety: Nursing Practice 2 |
| HNM109 | Partnerships in Midwifery 1: Pregnancy Care |
Level 2 - Trimester 1
| HNN217 | Primary Health Care |
| HNN222 | Mental Health and Supportive Care (2 credit points) |
| HNM210 | Partnerships in Midwifery 2: Labour and Birth Care |
Level 2 - Trimester 2
| HNN215 | Quality Use of Medicines |
| HNN227 | Acute Illness and Supportive Care (2 credit points) |
| HNM211 | Partnerships in Midwifery 3: Postnatal Care |
Level 3 - Trimester 1
| HNN329 | Chronic Illness and Supportive Care (2 credit points) |
| HNM322 | Complex Midwifery Care (2 credit points) |
Level 3 - Trimester 2
| HNN301 | Mental Health and Wellbeing |
| HNM323 | Neonatal Challenges in Midwifery Practice |
| HNM330 | Quality and Safety: Midwifery Practice 1 (2 credit points) |
Level 4 - Trimester 1
| HNN154 | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' History, Culture and Health |
| HNN318 | Care of the Older Person |
| HNM331 | Quality and Safety: Midwifery Practice 2 |
| HNM333 | Emergency Midwifery Care |
*** Note: HNN154 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People's History, Culture and Health is NOT available to enrol in Trimester 1. Please speak to a Student Adviser to assist with your enrolment into this unit for either Trimester 2 or Trimester 3 in years 1 or 2.
Level 4 - Trimester 2
| HNN320 | Quality and Safety in Health Care 2 |
| HNN325 | Quality and Safety: Comprehensive Nursing Practice (2 credit points) |
| HNM334 | Contemporary Midwifery Practice |
Admission criteria
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Please note, there are limited places in this course and entry is competitive. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
If you don't meet the academic entry requirements as outlined in the tabs below, or haven't completed Year 12, or don't hold any relevant qualifications, the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test) Multiple Choice (MC) may be an option for you to meet course entry requirements.
Academic requirements
Academic requirements - Current or recent secondary education
If you're currently studying Year 12, or completed Year 12 in the last two years, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
Year 12 prerequisite subjects
- Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an Additional Language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL
ATAR
- Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with an unadjusted ATAR of at least 50 or equivalent
Academic requirements - Higher education study
If you have undertaken higher education studies after secondary schooling, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
- successful completion of at least two bachelor level or above units (AQF Level 7 or equivalent)
Academic requirements - VET study
If you have undertaken any Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, you will need to meet at least one of following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
- completion of a certificate IV or higher in a related discipline
- completion of a diploma or higher in any discipline
- at least 50% completion of a diploma or higher in a related discipline
Academic requirements - Work and life experience
If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago, or did not finish Year 12, and haven’t undertaken any further study, you may be considered for admission to this degree based on your work, volunteer and/or life experience.
Submit a personal statement outlining your motivation to study, previous education and employment history, and how this course can assist your career aspirations or progression. Think of it as a job application cover letter – it should be relevant and demonstrate your commitment and interest in this course or study area.
English language proficiency requirements
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 the NMBA English language skills registration standard:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 7.0 (with no individual band less than 7.0)
- OET: minimum score of B in each of the four bands
- PTE Academic: minimum score of 66 (with no communication band less than 66)
ANMAC additional English language proficiency requirements
In addition to meeting the Deakin English language requirement, it is an Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) accreditation requirement that applicants meet the English language requirements of the ANMAC Accreditation Standards leading to initial registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) at commencement of their course.
These requirements include a self- declaration that English is their primary language, evidence of achievement of the minimum English language test result as specified in the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's (NMBA) English language skills registration standard, or hold current registration with The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as an Enrolled Nurse or Registered Nurse.
Nursing English Language Requirements Self-Declaration
VTAC applicants will be provided with this information via the VTAC application process. No offer can be made to an applicant who has not completed this declaration.
Primary language
The NMBA requirement is that 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, including at least two years between years 7 and 12. This education must have been completed in one or more of the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, United States of America.
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning. We're also committed to admissions transparency. Read about our first intake of 2026 students (PDF, 879KB) – their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin? Discover the different entry pathways we offer and study options available to you, no matter your ATAR or education history.
Pathways
This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses and other postgraduate coursework programs.
Credit for prior learning - general
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of prior learning.
Your Recognition of prior learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Normal University regulations and guidelines will pertain to students who apply for Recognition of prior learning. The Deakin University policy on Recognition of prior learning states that students will be provided with the maximum credit for relevant approved post-secondary study, or informal learning, which exceeds the normal entry requirements for the relevant course. This may include previous completed or incomplete degrees, diplomas and TAFE awards.
In all cases, credit will need to be determined on a case-by-case basis with a maximum credit granted being consistent with University policy (Deakin University, Recognition of prior learning policy and procedure, July 2003) and the guidelines for Recognition of prior learning as approved by the NMBA.
Articulated courses
| Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) (H421) |
Course duration
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Professional experience placement
Professional experience placements are conducted throughout your course beginning in Trimester 1 of your first year. This early exposure to the clinical environment gives you extensive opportunities to develop clinical skills under the supervision of registered nurses and registered midwives and enables you to experience being part of a multidisciplinary health care team. You will gain clinical skills in a variety of settings including acute/sub-acute care, medical and surgical care, paediatrics, aged care, rehabilitation, community nursing and mental health nursing.
Midwifery clinical experiences include all areas of midwifery practice, including pregnancy care, labour and birth, postnatal care and neonatal special care. These may be undertaken in hospitals and community health care centres in metropolitan, rural and regional areas.
There is an expectation that you will be available to undertake clinical practicum outside of trimester dates. All expenses associated with professional experience placements are your own responsibility.
Workload
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This may include lectures, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Participation requirements
The course involves compulsory professional experience placement totalling 41 weeks. The midwifery component consists of 21 weeks in midwifery settings across Victoria. The nursing component consists of 20 weeks in hospitals and community health centres in metropolitan, rural and regional areas. These placements may require travel to rural areas. Professional experience placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here.
To be eligible to undertake placements, you are required to supply mandatory documents (prerequisites) including police checks, working with children check and immunisation status.
In order to participate in on-campus learning activities, and to safely engage in placements in clinical environments, there are a number of skills and functions that students need to be able to demonstrate, with or without reasonable adjustments. These skills and functions are known as Inherent Requirements. Find out more about the School of Nursing and Midwifery’s Undergraduate Courses Inherent Requirements.
To discuss these requirements and the adjustments we can provide to support your success, please contact the Disability Resource Centre.
Mandatory student checks
Department of Health Safety Screening Requirements - Police Record Check, Working With Children Check and Immunisation Status
Police Record Check
In accordance with the Department of Health policy, all students are required to undertake a Police Record Check prior to professional experience placements in each calendar year of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check prior to the commencement of professional experience placement will not be able to undertake professional experience placement and this will impede progress in the course.
Working with Children Check
In accordance with the Worker Screening Act 2020, all students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check at the commencement of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of professional experience placement will not be able to undertake professional experience placement and this will impede progress in the course.
Immunisation
Students are required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health organisations where they will be undertaking their clinical learning experience. A health organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if the student’s immunisation status is not satisfactory to the health organisation.