To practice safely in Australia, health practitioners, including nurses, must have strong English language skills. This includes being able to communicate effectively with patients and their relatives, collaborate with other health care professionals and keep clear and accurate health records.

The English language skills registration standard is one of the five core standards required under National Law. In preparation for registration, and required by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, all new applicants studying the Diploma of Nursing at TAFE Queensland are to demonstrate English language, as well as literacy and numeracy skills prior to enrolment.

Domestic and International students:

Prior to enrolment students will be required to complete a declaration using one of two enrolment pathways demonstrating English language competence:

1. Primary language pathway
   Prior to enrolment, you must complete section 1 of the declaration stating that English is your primary language. You will also declare that you have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary, secondary (including at least two years between years 7 and 12), and full-time vocational and/or tertiary education taught and assessed in English in one of the recognised countries. Recognised Countries are: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America.

2. English language test pathway
   Where English is not your primary language, you must complete section 2 of the declaration and provide evidence of a formal English language test result. Students must demonstrate they have achieved the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) minimum requirements as specified in the English language skills.
   The assessment must have been completed less than 2 years ago.
   Formal English language tests are listed below, with their required outcomes to support enrolment*-

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - a minimum score of 7.0 overall and in each of the four (4) components
• Occupational English Test (OET) - a minimum score of ‘B’ in each of the four (4) components
• Pearson’s Test of English (PTE) - a minimum score of 65 in each of the four (4) communicative skills
• Test of English as a Foreign Language / Internet-based test (TOEFL-iBT) - a minimum score of 94 overall with a minimum score in each section:

- 24 for listening
              - 24 for reading
              - 27 for writing
              - 23 for speaking

*Please refer to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia for further specific requirements for an accepted test result.

BKSB
Prior to enrolment ALL students will need to complete a Basic Key Skills Builder (bksb) assessment and achieve a competency of at least Exit Level 3 in the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) in both language and numeracy.

This is a requirement in accordance with TAFE Queensland and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).