Bachelor of Nursing
The University of Newcastle
CRICOS provider number: 00109J TEQSA provider ID: PRV12056
Courses included
This course has been cancelled
About
As one of the most trusted professions, nurses make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of the community and are essential within any healthcare system or facility. Nurses work in varied and fast-paced environments, providing quality health care to individuals, families and communities and are highly employable across Australia and around the world. Whichever direction you choose for your career as a registered nurse, when you study a Bachelor of Nursing, you can be sure that you will be making an important and meaningful contribution to society.
Applicants should note that each campus location has a unique UAC code for where students will undertake their on-campus studies. Those wishing to undertake the degree need to include the UAC code on their UAC application that matches the location for where they wish to study. Offers are made to a particular campus and are non-transferrable.
Once you are admitted, you must hold a current:
- Provide First Aid Certificate
- HLTAID011 Mental Health
- First Aid Certificate.
Note: The Bachelor of Nursing works on an extended academic year, with professional experience placements generally commencing in mid-January and concluding early/mid-December.
Areas of study
Acute care, bioscience, child and adolescent health, community health, health promotion and education, indigenous health, lifespan approach, medical and surgical nursing, mental health, older people, pharmacology.
Career opportunities
Registered nurses have diverse and rewarding career opportunities in various healthcare settings. They work in hospitals, aged care facilities, primary healthcare clinics, community health services, mental health, and specialist areas such as intensive care, emergency, and perioperative nursing. Career pathways also extend to education, research, health policy, digital health, and leadership roles. Advance practice roles, such as nurse practitioners, nurse educators, and clinical nurse specialists, provide for further professional growth. Registered nurses can also pursue a role in rural and remote health, Indigenous health, and global humanitarian efforts.
Professional recognition
Nursing graduates can apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. This registration is governed by the are eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Successful registration allows graduates to practice as registered nurses in Australia.
Practical experience
This degree requires students to participate in professional experience placements in NSW Health various healthcare facilities. During placement, you will be required to adhere to health policies and procedures subject to NSW Health policies and procedures. You must also meet all NSW Health verification requirements before attending clinical placement. Clinical placement requirements. For information on these requirements visit the University of Newcastle placement essentials page.
You will complete 800 hours of compulsory Professional Experience Placement. Delivered in placement blocks (two weeks to six weeks), you will be required to work this, includes morning, evening, and night shifts, weekends, and public holidays depending on your year of study. Night duty is introduced in your final year.
Bachelor of Nursing (Hunter) 483600: If you choose this option, you will be undertaking your on-campus studies at the Callaghan campus in Newcastle.
Bachelor of Nursing (Central Coast) 483610: If you choose this option, you will be undertaking your on campus studies at the Central Coast Clinical School in Gosford.
Professional experience placements are conducted in a variety of public and private settings including medical-surgical facilities, acute care, community health, mental health settings, and aged-care facilities in metropolitan, rural and remote locations.
Students may be allocated or self-select healthcare facilities in regions including the Hunter and far north, south and west of NSW including but not limited to: Northern NSW (e.g. Grafton, Lismore, Tweed Heads), Hunter New England (e.g. Armidale, Moree, Tamworth), Western NSW (e.g. Bourke, Cobar, Dubbo, Moree), Far West (e.g. Balranald, Broken Hill), Central West (e.g. Bathurst, Cowra, Orange).
Travel, accommodation and related expenses for professional experience placements will be your responsibility.
Hands-on clinical experience is also gained in the simulated learning environment on campus.
Honours
Available as an additional year (or part-time equivalent) to students based on merit.
Fees and charges
Essential requirements for admission
Inherent requirements: All students must fulfil the inherent requirements of the programs and courses they are undertaking. While reasonable adjustments can be made, these adjustments cannot compromise the academic integrity of the program. It is your responsibility to check all the requirements of courses and to consider the effects of any medical condition, impairment, or disability on your ability to complete course requirements.
Inherent requirements for studying nursing at the University of Newcastle
Also check the special requirements and policies for this course.
School Based Traineeship (SBT) Admission Pathway for NSW HSC students
To be eligible ensure your meet the following criteria:
- You are a current school leaver, completing the NSW HSC in 2025 or completed in 2023 or 2024; and
- You have successfully complete the NSW Department of Education School Based Traineeship, including:
- Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (Assisting in Nursing Work in Acute Care) HLT33115
- NESA HSC Human Services courses (codes 27109 and 27101 or 27109 and 27102)
- Accumulation of 100 days/shifts of industry-based learning (minimum of 700 hours of paid on the job training) in a recognised public and/or private hospital across the NSW Health system. (For 2023 HSC graduates, a minimum of 600 hours will be accepted).
To be considered for 2026 entry under the School Based Traineeship Pathway, follow these steps:
Apply via UAC: List the Bachelor of Nursing at University of Newcastle NSW in your preferences. Remember to apply as a student currently completing an Australian Year 12 qualification if you are undertaking your HSC in 2025 (using your student number and PIN) and list your VET Certificate III qualification in your UAC application. Once submitted, email Admissions@newcastle.edu.au at the University of Newcastle to confirm your interest in being assessed against this pathway.
Provide documentation: Upload clear colour copies or certified copies of the following documents to your UAC application:
- Completed Higher School Certificate (HSC) and Record of Achievement lisitng the Human Services courses.
- A letter from NSW Health or the relevant private hospital verifying the completion of the required industry-based learning hours. Total hours must be stated on confirmation letter. For more information speak with your traineeship coordinator at the hospital.
- Certificate of Proficiency (charges may apply) from the NSW Department of Education and Training confirming the successful completion of the traineeship.
- We suggest that you apply for the Certificate as soon as you have completed your traineeship to avoid potential delays.
Notify admissions: Email the University of Newcastle's domestic admissions team at Admissions@newcastle.edu.au by 2 January 2026 to inform them that your application is complete. Your application and documentation will be manually reviewed and assessed for a potential offer.
Include your UAC application number in all correspondence.
Admission criteria
Applicants with recent secondary education
Assumed knowledge: Mathematics Standard 2, Chemistry and/or Biology, any 2 units of English.
If you have not previously studied one or more of these subjects or have limited knowledge in them, we strongly encourage you to consider enrolling in bridging courses. NUPrep Bridging provides free academic preparation and support short courses, available both on campus and online, to complete before starting your degree.
Explore NUPrep Bridging Courses
Current nationally accredited first aid certificate and appropriate ICT skills also assumed.
Applicants with higher education study
If you have completed or partially completed higher education studies, your grade point average can be converted into a selection rank for admission into our undergraduate programs.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
If you completed or partially completed competency-based vocational education and training (such as TAFE, a private Registered Training Provider, or vocational studies undertaken in high school), this can be used to determine your eligibility for admission.
Completion of studies at an AQF Level 4 (Cert IV) or higher Guarantees Entry into many of our undergraduate programs.
Review the Guaranteed Entry Admission Scheme.
Applicants with work and life experience
If you do not have an ATAR (or equivalent) or formal qualification, Newcastle University provides a range of pathways toward your preferred degree. Regardless of your age or experience, there is a place for you.
Advanced standing
If you have completed prior studies at another higher education institution or registered training organisation, you may be eligible to receive credit towards your undergraduate degree. Please note that you must apply for admission before applying for credit.
Further information
View all details of this course on the University of Newcastle website.
University of Newcastle degrees
The academic content of all programs is subject to routine review.
ATAR profile
ATAR-based offers only (semester 1, 2023)
Use all ATAR profile data as a guide only; it provides a broad overview of the ATARs and selection ranks of previous Year 12 students admitted into that course. ATARs and selection ranks required for entry in 2025 may be different. If you are unsure about including a course among your preferences, contact the relevant institution.
- This ATAR profile table is in line with Commonwealth Government transparency requirements. It is based on offers to recent school leavers (ie completed Year 12 in the last 2 years) who were selected solely or partly on their ATAR. Note that some institutions further differentiate this information on their websites.
- The ATAR values exclude any adjustment factors.
- The selection ranks include the ATAR and any adjustment factors.
Abbreviations
– = data is not available.<5 = less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made.
N/A = no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.
NC = new course
NP = Not provided by institution
NR = No reportable profile
NS = No Semester 1 offers
NN = Unavailable (other)
NO = Entry on other criteria
Student profile
Course updates
Courses are added and cancelled throughout the admissions year and course details are subject to change. Check the UAC course search regularly.
Review of programs
The academic content of all programs is subject to routine review. For up-to-date details, visit University of Newcastle degrees.
Honours
Applicants should note that under the revised Australian Qualifications Framework some programs are four-year programs available with direct entry. Other programs are three-year Bachelor degree programs. Meritorious students have the option to apply for an additional one-year end-on component after graduation. Check the course descriptions carefully.