FAQs about Nursing and Midwifery courses

If I am a school leaver/mature aged/Australian citizen/applicant do I need to submit the Nursing and Midwifery declaration form?

All applicants wanting to be eligible for any nursing and midwifery courses MUST submit the Nursing and Midwifery declaration form.

If I am eligible for more than one of the options for the Nursing and Midwifery declaration form, which one should I choose? Is one better than the other?

All three options on the declaration form are equally weighted and will make you eligible for nursing and midwifery courses. If you are eligible for more than one, you can choose the one you feel is most appropriate for you.  

I have studied in Australia for a few years. Am I required to sit an English test?

Please check with the institutions that you are interested in, they will clearly state which applicants need to sit an English test. Please also check the Nursing and Midwifery declaration form in your account to select the option that relates to you. 

I have successfully completed/am about to complete a Diploma of Nursing and would like to continue my education by studying a Bachelor of Nursing. Is the application process the same?

Yes, the application is the same, and you will also need to claim any previous diploma level studies under the ‘post-secondary studies’ section in your VTAC application.

If a course doesn't have a VTAC personal statement in their list of Admissions Criteria, can they still take this into account when considering my application? What should I include in it?

We always recommend that applicants provide a Personal Statement if they would like to, however it is up to the institutions whether they take them into consideration or not if it is not a requirement for the course. A Personal Statement is a good way to communicate work/life/other experiences to the institutions. Read more about what to include in a Personal Statement. 

What’s the criteria for a non-school leaver applicant?

Each course may have different criteria. It's important to read the requirements and admissions criteria for each course you have listed on your preference list make sure you are eligible.

Does it strengthen my application if I submit the essential requirements, such as a police check, Working with Children Card or immunisation form?

The requirements listed are often asked of you by the institution prior to enrolment. These will not impact your eligibility for selection. Should you choose to attach them to your VTAC account, you may upload these via the ‘Other document’ upload link. 

I have begun studying nursing or a similar course at a different institution/in a different state/country, will I be eligible for recognition of prior learning?

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is organised directly with the university once you have enrolled in the course. It is best to talk to the institutions you are applying for to ask them about whether you will be eligible for any credits from previous study, however it will only be confirmed post enrolment.  

Is a CASPer test or STAT test required for either the Diploma or Bachelor of Nursing?

A CASPer test is not required for any nursing courses in Victoria. Please refer to the institution pages to determine STAT test requirements. 

If I am currently studying at another institution, is it worth re-enrolling for the next academic year before I receive any offers or will this hinder my chances of getting a course offer?

Any re-enrolments will not impact your eligibility for future offers. We encourage you to remain enrolled in your course, and if you are made a more favourable offer during the VTAC offer rounds, accept the new offer and unenroll in the original course. Final decisions on study should be made by the relevant census dates. 

Some institutions have full-time and part-time studies listed on VTAC CourseSearch, however some do not show part-time options. Is part-time study available for all courses?

If you are unsure whether a course will be able to be studied part-time, you should contact the institution directly so they can confirm this for you. 

The Victorian government has said it will offer scholarships for nursing and midwifery courses. Are these still available?

The Victorian Labor government made an announcement about certain scholarships they will be funding for nursing and midwifery courses starting 2023 and 2024. If you enroled in 2023 or 2024 courses and still need to apply for the scholarship, see more information here. These scholarships are not something that you will apply for through VTAC. If you are unsure about whether a scholarship will be available, you should contact the institutions directly.