Diploma of Health Care

Taking care of the nation’s health - on track for nursing.

Get a head start!

I love that we get the opportunity to implement and practice our skills in a safe environment.

Tianna M.,

Diploma of Health Care Student

Duration

2 trimesters (8 months) OR
3 trimesters (12 months)

Intakes

Trimester 1, 2*
Key dates

Location

Southport (Gold Coast)

Apply Now Entry Requirements

Health Care overview

In the Diploma of Health Care you will study the core concepts of the anatomy and physiology of the human body and the ways in which the body and mind develop and change across the lifespan.

Theoretical content in the classroom is brought to life through simulated practical activities in laboratory settings. Theoretical models are explored through interactive workshops, and while simulated, real health service settings provide practical, experiential learning.

Nursing ranking

Fees

	Domestic students	International students
2023	A$25,250#	A$34,500#
	FEE-HELP available >	CRICOS 075186J
	.
	# You should also allow approximately A$500 for required vaccinations and nursing kit/uniforms.
	More details about fees and payment options >

Please note: limited places for the standalone Diploma of Health Care are available for Trimester 2, 2022 for Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents only. Submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Graduates will need to apply for a Bachelor of Nursing position at university upon completion (see graphic below).

STUDY OPTIONS

Pathways to a Griffith University Nursing Degree

Domestic students (QTAC codes included)


QTAC code	Degree code	Program	Campus	Credit granted*
088671/ 088691/ 088681	1162	Bachelor of Nursing	Gold Coast / Logan / Nathan	80 CP
Progression to the Bachelor of Nursing from the Diploma of Health Care is subject to quota restrictions and is determined on the basis of academic merit. Selection is competitive as the number of eligible graduates generally exceeds the 100 places available annually to College graduates. At a minimum, to be considered in the quota selection, you will need to complete the Diploma with a GPA equivalent to Griffith University’s rank requirement for direct entry to the Bachelor of Nursing. Contact Griffith College for GPA to rank equivalencies. You need to meet the English Language standards specified by NMBA registration standards to meet the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) accreditation standards for entry into the program prior to being offered a place in the course. These standards are subject to change by the accrediting body. Language of instruction (LOI) is only granted if students can demonstrate their English language competency as per the NMBA requirements: English is your primary language, and you have satisfactorily completed at least 6 years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the recognised countries detailed below (including at least two years between years 7 to 12). Recognised Countries: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United States, Canada, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom. English test results must be no more than two years old. If you are selected for a place in the Bachelor of Nursing, you will be required to commence your degree approximately six weeks prior to the start of the University’s first trimester, to undertake the intensive course 1809NRS Effective Nursing Practices. As this involves clinical placement, eligibility for enrolment is dependent on successful completion, within the Diploma, of a set of mandatory requirements such as pre-placement orientation, health and security checks, immunisations, and acquiring additional clothing/ equipment+. Full details will be provided at orientation. When you accept a Diploma of Health Care / Bachelor of Nursing package you agree to a specific bachelor commencement date and as such it will be for that intake, if eligible, you will be considered as part of the bachelor quota. As you progress through your diploma studies, if for any reason you find that you will not be able to commence your bachelor at the expected time (notwithstanding other eligibility conditions), you must consult with the College, and your progression will be adjusted accordingly. Reasons that may result in a change to your original bachelor start date may include: a temporary withdrawal from your diploma; a temporary leave of absence; a reduction in your diploma study load, a requirement to repeat a course/s. You will be required to purchase additional clothing and equipment as well as cover costs associated with immunisation and pre-placement checks. If you do not satisfy preplacement checks you may be prevented from undertaking further components of the diploma. *If you successfully complete the Diploma of Health Care, and meet the conditions set out below, you will enter the second year of the Bachelor of Nursing at Griffith University (providing you with 80 credit points of exemption towards completion of the 240 credit point degree).

International students


Degree code	Program	Campus	Credit granted*	Min. GPA requirements
1162	Bachelor of Nursing	Gold Coast / Logan / Nathan	80 CP	4
Progression to the Bachelor of Nursing from the Diploma of Health Care is subject to quota restrictions and is determined on the basis of academic merit. Selection is competitive as the number of eligible graduates generally exceeds the 100 places available annually to College graduates. At a minimum, you need to complete the Diploma with a GPA of at least 4.0 (on a 7 scale) to be considered in the quota selection. If you successfully complete the Diploma of Health Care, and meet the conditions set out below, you will enter the second year of the Bachelor of Nursing at Griffith University (providing you with 80 credit points of exemption towards completion of the 240 credit point degree). You need to meet the English Language standards specified by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC). These standards are subject to change by the accrediting body. All international students are required to demonstrate an IELTS test (Academic) with an overall score of 7.0 (no sub-score below 7.0) or equivalent level of English proficiency in English by the end of the Diploma in order to progress into the Bachelor of Nursing. English test results must be no more than two years old. Language of instruction (LOI) is only granted if students can demonstrate their English language competency as per the NMBA requirements: English is your primary language, and you have satisfactorily completed at least 6 years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the recognised countries detailed below (including at least two years between years 7 to 12). Recognised Countries: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United States, Canada, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom. English test results must be no more than two years old. If you are selected for a place in the Bachelor of Nursing, you will be required to commence your degree approximately six weeks prior to the start of the University’s first trimester, to undertake the intensive course 1809NRS Effective Nursing Practices. As this course involves clinical placement, eligibility for enrolment is dependent on successful completion, within the Diploma, of a set of mandatory requirements such as pre-placement orientation, health and security checks, immunisations, and acquiring additional clothing/ equipment+. Full details will be provided at Orientation. When you accept a Diploma of Health Care / Bachelor of Nursing package you agree to a specific bachelor commencement date and as such it will be for that intake, if eligible, you will be considered as part of the bachelor quota. As you progress through your diploma studies, if for any reason you find that you will not be able to commence your bachelor at the expected time (notwithstanding other eligibility conditions), you must consult with the College, and your progression will be adjusted accordingly. Reasons that may result in a change to your original bachelor start date may include: a temporary withdrawal from your diploma; a temporary leave of absence; a reduction in your diploma study load, a requirement to repeat a course/s. To expedite the process for completing ‘mandatory requirements for clinical practice you should: apply for a National Police Clearance from your home country, prior to departure; allow $500 to fund these requirements; and attend the information session at Orientation week which provides details of these requirements. *If you successfully complete the Diploma of Health Care, and meet the conditions set out below, you will enter the second year of the Bachelor of Nursing at Griffith University (providing you with 80 credit points of exemption towards completion of the 240 credit point degree).

Where could this diploma take me?

Registered nurse – with further study, or on completion of the Bachelor of Nursing, you can choose to specialise in a range of fields such as aged care, community practice, emergency, intensive care, medical health, midwifery, oncology, pediatrics, palliative care, and women’s health.

Diploma of Health Care planning COVID-19 for 2022

Due to restrictions around capped numbers, closed borders and less opportunity for clinical placements throughout 2020 – 2021 the College put some strategies in place to ensure we have opportunities for both packaged and unpackaged students to study nursing.

This included some opportunity to study a set number of theoretical courses while offshore and then to come to Australia to complete all remaining courses on campus. This agreement is legislated by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and is now extended until 30^th June 2022.

Now that borders are open it is a requirement that students who can arrive in Australia undertake their study in Australia as stipulated in the ANAMC Registered Nurse and Midwife Accreditation Standards.

The College has excellent contingency plans in case of local lockdown events or for the occasions when students are unwell and should not attend a face to face class. The Digital Campus provides all content and class requirements to meet this need.

Digital Campus for current students

Sample program structure

First trimester

5902GCH English Language & Communication for Health* OR 1020GCH Academic & Professional Skills Development for Science & Technology†

5902GCH English Language & Communication for Health


The course is designed for international students or students from a non-English speaking background, to allow them to develop English language skills relevant to the academic culture of Australian universities and to function successfully in a global nursing context. It therefore involves intensive English language practice and language immersion activities, with application to a global nursing contextualised setting.

The course is designed for international students or students from a non-English speaking background, to allow them to develop English language skills relevant to the academic culture of Australian universities and to function successfully in a global nursing context. It therefore involves intensive English language practice and language immersion activities, with application to a global nursing contextualised setting.

1020GCH Academic & Professional Skills Development for Science & Technology


The course offers students a broad introduction to the skills involved in acquiring information and in displaying knowledge to others. It includes the basic knowledge skills required to successfully participate in an undergraduate degree program and to operate effectively in a professional context.

1803NRS Foundations of Professional Health Care Practice


Employers value high-level communication skills among healthcare professionals. This is because all healthcare disciplines and workplace settings have communication practices that require advanced and efficient communication within the setting and between groups and individuals. This foundational course therefore introduces students to theoretical perspectives about communication and develops practical skills in a number of written, oral and organisational communication genres, particularly those relevant to college and university study, and employment as a healthcare professional. The knowledge and skills presented in this course will underpin students’ further work, both in their tertiary studies and in their careers as healthcare professionals. Specifically, this course assists students to develop the writing and speaking skills that underpin interpersonal communication and that are appropriate to and transferable between the college and university and healthcare settings. Students will gain an understanding of the values and norms of academic and professional communication while also developing confidence in their practical ability to communicate orally and in writing.

Employers value high-level communication skills among healthcare professionals. This is because all healthcare disciplines and workplace settings have communication practices that require advanced and efficient communication within the setting and between groups and individuals. This foundational course therefore introduces students to theoretical perspectives about communication and develops practical skills in a number of written, oral and organisational communication genres, particularly those relevant to college and university study, and employment as a healthcare professional. The knowledge and skills presented in this course will underpin students’ further work, both in their tertiary studies and in their careers as healthcare professionals. Specifically, this course assists students to develop the writing and speaking skills that underpin interpersonal communication and that are appropriate to and transferable between the college and university and healthcare settings. Students will gain an understanding of the values and norms of academic and professional communication while also developing confidence in their practical ability to communicate orally and in writing.

1805NRS Human Anatomy & Physiology 1


Professional practice in a range of health disciplines is underpinned and informed by knowledge and understanding of anatomy and physiology. Students investigate key foundational physiological principles, the organisational levels in the body, the structure and function of the normal human body and the relevance of such knowledge to the maintenance of human health. Changes to the body across the lifespan are also explored. Core concepts are taught using an integrated and exploratory approach to facilitate the ability of students to transfer, assimilate and utilise knowledge gained in this course to other courses within their program, and to apply what they have learnt to nursing practice. This course addresses the generic skills of the Griffith Graduate by enhancing the students’ ability to work autonomously and in teams, communicate effectively, and problem solve as well as develop professional responsibility.

Professional practice in a range of health disciplines is underpinned and informed by knowledge and understanding of anatomy and physiology. Students investigate key foundational physiological principles, the organisational levels in the body, the structure and function of the normal human body and the relevance of such knowledge to the maintenance of human health. Changes to the body across the lifespan are also explored. Core concepts are taught using an integrated and exploratory approach to facilitate the ability of students to transfer, assimilate and utilise knowledge gained in this course to other courses within their program, and to apply what they have learnt to nursing practice. This course addresses the generic skills of the Griffith Graduate by enhancing the students’ ability to work autonomously and in teams, communicate effectively, and problem solve as well as develop professional responsibility.

1806NRS Communicating Effectively


Employers value high-level communication skills among healthcare professionals. This is because all healthcare disciplines and workplace settings have communication practices that require advanced and efficient communication within the setting and between groups and individuals. This foundational course therefore introduces students to theoretical perspectives about communication and develops practical skills in a number of written, oral and organisational communication genres, particularly those relevant to college and university study, and employment as a healthcare professional. The knowledge and skills presented in this course will underpin students’ further work, both in their tertiary studies and in their careers as healthcare professionals. Specifically, this course assists students to develop the writing and speaking skills that underpin interpersonal communication and that are appropriate to and transferable between the college and university and healthcare settings. Students will gain an understanding of the values and norms of academic and professional communication while also developing confidence in their practical ability to communicate orally and in writing.

Second trimester

1804NRS Psychosocial Development Across the Lifespan


Nurses work closely with individuals across the lifespan. This course introduces students to psychosocial concepts and principles that underpin human behaviour facilitating understandings about ways in which people engage in health and illness. Students require general knowledge of lifespan development and a more specific understanding of risk and resiliency factors influencing psychosocial wellbeing and impacting upon health and human development. This course will provide students with knowledge and skills necessary to respond to these factors by examining frameworks through which resilience may be promoted with vulnerable individuals and groups. How individuals and communities experience and adapt to health transitions in order to facilitate health and wellbeing is explored. Students will learn through wide reading; in-class discussion; group presentation; and practice of therapeutic skills.

Nurses work closely with individuals across the lifespan. This course introduces students to psychosocial concepts and principles that underpin human behaviour facilitating understandings about ways in which people engage in health and illness. Students require general knowledge of lifespan development and a more specific understanding of risk and resiliency factors influencing psychosocial wellbeing and impacting upon health and human development. This course will provide students with knowledge and skills necessary to respond to these factors by examining frameworks through which resilience may be promoted with vulnerable individuals and groups. How individuals and communities experience and adapt to health transitions in order to facilitate health and wellbeing is explored. Students will learn through wide reading; in-class discussion; group presentation; and practice of therapeutic skills.

1807NRS Safe Administration of Medications


Medication administration is an important nursing activity, completed in collaboration with the client, the medical practitioner and the pharmacist. Medication administration appears to be a simple task but it is a complex, multifaceted activity. Safe medication practices help to ensure positive client outcomes.

1808NRS Human Anatomy & Physiology 2


This course builds on & extends the knowledge obtained in 1805NRS - Human Anatomy and Physiology 1, with students investigating the structure and function of the human body. This involves the role of homeostasis in the maintenance of metabolism, The primary functions of the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, reproductive and gastrointestinal systems, and the relevance of such knowledge to the maintenance of human health.

This course builds on & extends the knowledge obtained in 1805NRS - Human Anatomy and Physiology 1, with students investigating the structure and function of the human body. This involves the role of homeostasis in the maintenance of metabolism, The primary functions of the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, reproductive and gastrointestinal systems, and the relevance of such knowledge to the maintenance of human health.

1810NRS Health Assessment


This course is designed to develop student’s knowledge and clinical skills to enable them to perform comprehensive clinical assessments of individuals. Content includes essential techniques of assessment and the equipment required, conduct of a patient interview including a general survey, health history and systems assessment, assessment document completion, and the assessment requirements in a variety of clinical settings.

This course is designed to develop student’s knowledge and clinical skills to enable them to perform comprehensive clinical assessments of individuals. Content includes essential techniques of assessment and the equipment required, conduct of a patient interview including a general survey, health history and systems assessment, assessment document completion, and the assessment requirements in a variety of clinical settings.

Current program structure

English language requirements for Australian students: You need to meet the English Language standards specified by NMBA registration standards to meet the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) accreditation standards for entry into the program prior to being offered a place in the course. These standards are subject to change by the accrediting body. Language of instruction (LOI) is only granted if students can demonstrate their English language competency as per the NMBA requirements:

English is your primary language, and
You have satisfactorily completed at least 6 years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the recognised countries detailed below (including at least two years between years 7 to 12). Recognised Countries: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United States, Canada, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom. English test results must be no more than two years old.

*Trimester 2 is only available as a standalone option for Australian and New Zealand students.

No Change of Programs are allowed into this program. Change of Programs are only allowed into trimester 2 for Australian and New Zealand students, who will receive a new standalone offer.