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Course Admission Requirements

you must have:

  • Satisfactory demonstration of reading, writing and numeracy skills by undertaking a Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (LLN)
  • Satisfactory evidence of meeting the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) English language skills registration standards.

Language, Literacy and Numeracy

All Diploma of Nursing applicants will need to undertake a specific type of Language, Literacy, and Numeracy (LLN) assessment called a CSPA. This assessment will be provided as part of the application process at TAFE SA. All applicants must meet Exit Level 3 for both Reading and Numeracy, and Exit Level 2 for Writing.

If Reading and Writing levels are not met, you are able to use SACE English for the Reading and Writing components of the Nursing Accreditation Standards, however you will need to undertake Bridging Unit(s) for Subsidised Training funding requirements.

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Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) English language skills registration standards

You must demonstrate your English language competency in one of the following ways:

  1. English is your primary language


    Successfully passed at least 6 years of primary and secondary education, taught and assessed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or the United States of America.  At least 2 years of evidence must be between years 7 to 12.

    OR

  2.  You have satisfactorily completed an English language test.

    The score you need to achieve depends on which English test you complete. The table below sets out the accepted tests and the relevant minimum scores required in each of the component skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing), and the required overall scores needed.

English Language Tests
Test Overall Score Needed Component Scores Needed Test Results Accepted From
- one test sitting, or
- a maximum of two test sittings in a 12-month period only if:
Cambridge
(C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency)
(Paper and computer at test centre only) 		Minimum score of 185 Minimum overall score of 185 in each of the three components:
  • listening
  • reading
  • speaking
and minimum score of 176 in the one component:
  • writing
  • you are tested in all four components in each sitting
  • you achieve a minimum score of 185 in each component for listening, reading and speaking and a minimum score of 176 for writing across the two sittings
  • no score in any component of either test sitting is below 176
IELTS
(Academic paper and computer at test centre only) 		Overall score of 7 Minimum score of 7 in each of the three components:
  • listening
  • reading
  • speaking
and minimum score of 6.5 in the one component:
  • writing
  • minimum overall score of 7 in each sitting
  • minimum score of 7 in listening, reading and speaking, and 6.5 in writing across the two sittings
  • no score in any component of either test sitting is below 6.5
OET
(On paper or computer based in testing centre)
(Any profession-specific OET test can be accepted) 		— Minimum score of B in each of the three components:
  • listening
  • reading
  • speaking
and minimum score of C+ in the one component:
  • writing
  • you are tested in all four components in each sitting
  • minimum score of B in listening, reading and speaking, and C+ in writing across the two sittings
  • no score in any component of either test sitting is below C+
PTE Academic
(Computer at test centre only) 		Minimum overall score of 66 Minimum score of 66 in each of the three communicative skills:
  • listening
  • reading
  • speaking
and minimum score of 56 in one communicative skill:
  • writing
  • minimum overall score of 66 in each sitting
  • minimum score of 66 in listening, reading and speaking, and 56 in writing across the two sittings
  • no score in any communicative skill of either test sitting is below 56
TOEFL iBT
(Computer at test centre only) 		Minimum total score of 94
  • 24 for listening
  • 24 for reading
  • 24 for writing
  • 23 for speaking
  • minimum total score of 94 in each sitting
  • minimum scores of 24 (listening), 24 (reading), 24 (writing), and 23 (speaking) across the two sittings
  • no score in any section of either test sitting is below:
    • 20 for listening
    • 19 for reading
    • 24 for writing
    • 20 for speaking

See Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency - Accepted English language tests for detail.

NB English language tests are to be undertaken within 12 months before the course start date. In Semester 1 2026 the course commences on Tuesday 27 January 2026.

What kinds of Evidence can I Submit?

You are required to complete an Evidence Checklist.  All requirements are explained within the checklist. You will be able to access the checklist in your SATAC application.

How do I submit evidence?

Upon submission of your application, you will receive specific instructions on how to submit your evidence.

Useful Links and Contacts

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