You finished +2 Science, you want to become a nurse, and Australia looks like the obvious choice. Then the questions start. Is a Bachelor of Nursing open to you straight after +2? Why do nursing courses ask for a higher IELTS score than other degrees? Will the course actually lead to registration as a nurse? Many families pay a deposit before getting these answers, and a wrong guess can cost a whole intake.
This guide answers them in plain language. You will see real university options for 2027, the higher English requirements for nursing, the costs most people forget (like clinical placements), and what to prepare for the Australian Student visa. No course, visa, scholarship, nursing registration or job outcome is guaranteed, but you can make a much better decision with the right facts.
Quick answer for Nepali students
Can you study nursing in Australia after completing +2 in Nepal? Yes, a student with a suitable secondary-school qualification may be eligible for a Bachelor of Nursing. Admission depends on the exact university, your subjects, your grades, your English results and available places. Nursing is a regulated profession, so course approval and professional registration matter as much as tuition fees.
A typical Bachelor of Nursing takes three years full-time. Southern Cross University’s official 2027 page lists AUD 27,000 indicative first-year international tuition and IELTS Academic overall 7.0, with at least 7.0 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing. These are course-specific requirements. Check that the exact nursing degree is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) before you pay any deposit.
Who can study nursing after +2 in Nepal?
Students who completed NEB +2 Science with appropriate subjects are the best candidates to assess first. Universities may also accept other recognised qualifications or offer suitable pathways. There is no universal Nepali GPA or biology-mark cutoff that guarantees entry to every Australian nursing course. If you are unsure how your result compares, a Nepali GPA conversion is a useful first step. Each university will assess your exact transcript, prerequisites and English evidence.
If you completed +2 Management or Humanities, do not assume direct nursing entry. Ask for a written eligibility assessment and check whether a recognised pathway is available. A health-science diploma does not automatically make you a Registered Nurse, so always confirm the course outcome.
Australian universities to compare for 2027
The examples below start with institutions in Education Tree Global’s (ETG) provider list. This is a course comparison, not a ranking, and it does not guarantee representation, eligibility or admission.
Southern Cross University: Bachelor of Nursing, three years full-time. The 2027 indicative international first-year tuition is AUD 27,000. Campuses are Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour and Lismore. The January intake is for eligible diploma pathway graduates, not a general direct-entry January start. The university publishes IELTS Academic overall 7.0, with 7.0 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing.
CQUniversity: Bachelor of Nursing (CL91). Its official handbook lists AUD 38,400 as the indicative international first-year fee for 2026. Do not treat this as a confirmed 2027 fee. Confirm the 2027 tuition, locations, international eligibility and English requirements directly with the university.
La Trobe University: Bachelor of Nursing. The course page shows a three-year full-time course with a March 2027 start. Get the international-student 2027 fee and entry requirements before quoting a price. The domestic Commonwealth Supported Place fee shown on some course views is not international tuition.
University of Canberra: another nursing option to compare. Confirm its 2027 international intake, fee, course approval and entry requirements directly with the university.
| University | Course length | 2027 international fee | Locations | Check before applying |
| Southern Cross University | 3 years full-time | AUD 27,000 (first year, indicative) | Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour, Lismore | Intakes, scholarship terms |
| CQUniversity | 3 years full-time | 2027 fee to be confirmed (2026: AUD 38,400) | Confirm with university | 2027 fee, campus, English score |
| La Trobe University | 3 years full-time | Confirm with university | Confirm with university | International fee, entry rules |
| University of Canberra | Confirm with university | Confirm with university | Confirm with university | Intake, fee, course approval |
ETG can also help you compare other reputable Australian universities and pathways, including institutions outside its direct-provider list, when they suit your academic profile, budget and preferred campus.
Nursing English requirements are higher than general bachelor targets
ETG’s general undergraduate counselling target is IELTS Academic overall 6.0 with no band below 6.0, and a stronger target is 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0. The general PTE Academic counselling target is 61 overall and in each skill. These are planning targets for general degrees. They are not universal admission rules and they are not nursing registration standards.
Nursing is different. For its 2027 Bachelor of Nursing test pathway, Southern Cross University requires IELTS Academic overall 7.0, listening 7.0, reading 7.0, speaking 7.0 and writing 6.5. Ahpra updated its accepted English test scores on 23 April 2026, and its first-registration pathway also lists IELTS Academic overall 7.0 with 7.0 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing. PTE Academic, OET, TOEFL iBT and Cambridge have their own score rules, and some depend on the date you sat the test.
Four practical points matter for Nepali students:
- Test type: Ahpra accepts tests taken at a test centre only. At-home or online versions are not accepted for registration.
- Timing: results are generally valid for two years, so plan your test close to your intake. SCU asks for a result within two years of the intended start date.
- School certificate: an English-medium school certificate from Nepal is not an automatic exemption. The primary language pathway applies only to education in countries NMBA recognises, and Nepal is not on that list at the time of writing. Check the current list on the NMBA website.
- Three separate checks: university admission, Student visa English evidence and nursing registration are assessed separately. Confirm the requirements for your course, your test date and your registration pathway.
What if my English score is below 7.0?
This is common after +2, and it does not close the door. Ask the university whether a pathway program is available. SCU, for example, lists a Diploma of Health and Human Sciences (Nursing specialisation) as a route into its Bachelor of Nursing. Retaking IELTS or PTE after focused preparation is another option. Keep in mind that you still need to meet Ahpra’s English standard before you can register as a nurse, so a pathway only helps if your English reaches that level before graduation.
What is AHPRA and why does course approval matter?
Ahpra is the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, and the NMBA sets professional nursing standards. An approved nursing program is accredited through the appropriate process and approved by the NMBA. Check the exact course and campus in the official approved programs of study search before you accept an offer.
Student registration is different from graduate registration. The education provider generally arranges student registration for an approved program, and there is no student-registration fee. Finishing the course does not automatically register you as a nurse. Graduates must apply separately and meet the AHPRA nursing registration standards in force at that time.
Clinical placements: the hidden budget item
Nursing includes supervised clinical practice. Southern Cross University says its Bachelor of Nursing includes approximately 840 hours of work-integrated learning. Placements may involve travel or accommodation outside your usual area, and shifts can fall in the morning, afternoon, night or weekend. You may also need immunisations, police checks, first aid and CPR evidence, fit-to-practise checks and other compliance documents.
Parents should budget for uniforms, transport, vaccinations, health checks, possible accommodation during placements and equipment. Ask each university whether it organises placements, how far students may need to travel and what happens if compliance documents are delayed.
How much does nursing tuition cost in Australia in 2027?
A clear first-year example is Southern Cross University. Its 2027 international first-year tuition is AUD 27,000. Home Affairs publishes a living-cost figure of AUD 29,710 for the financial-capacity assessment. The standard primary Student visa application charge rose to AUD 2,500 on 1 July 2026.
| Item | Amount (AUD) |
| 2027 SCU first-year international tuition | 27,000 |
| Visa financial-capacity living-cost figure (12 months) | 29,710 |
| Standard primary Student visa application charge (from 1 July 2026) | 2,500 |
| First-year planning subtotal | 59,210 |
| Three years of tuition at the current SCU rate, before annual increases | 81,000 |
This subtotal is before Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), airfare, medical checks, uniforms, accommodation deposits and placement travel. Tuition can also rise during the course.
The AUD 29,710 figure is a visa financial-capacity reference. It is not a prediction of your actual spending, and it is not the full amount of funds you may need to show. Applicants may need evidence covering tuition, travel and other costs, and living expenses vary by city and lifestyle. Confirm the current Home Affairs checklist and your university offer.
Can Nepali nursing students get scholarships?
Scholarships may depend on academic results, your background, the campus, the course or the intake, and amounts change often. Read each university’s official scholarship conditions and your written offer. Do not budget for a discount until it is confirmed in writing. Ask whether it applies for all three years or only the first, and whether you must meet academic progress conditions.
Australian Student visa requirements for nursing students
Most offshore Nepali applicants planning an eligible Bachelor of Nursing will need a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), the required financial and academic evidence, appropriate OSHC, and a Genuine Student (GS) explanation that fits their study plans. The GS requirement applies to Student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024. It looks at your current circumstances, your reasons for choosing the course and institution, the value of study and your immigration history.
Important 2026 update: Student visa application rules changed on 2 October 2026. The changes affect certain applications made inside Australia, repeat Student visa applications and the rules for family members. Do not rely on an older spouse or onshore visa checklist. Check the official Student visa page and your own situation before you apply.
A Student visa is never automatic after a university offer. Give accurate information, and allow time for processing. Check fees and evidence requirements again on the day you lodge.
Can nursing students work part-time?
Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session, with different rules for scheduled breaks and some other situations. Your actual visa conditions always control. Clinical placements can be demanding and may mean early, late or weekend shifts. Do not assume part-time income will cover tuition or replace the financial evidence you need to show.
Application process for Nepali students
- Collect your NEB +2 certificates and transcripts, passport, subject information and English results.
- Shortlist approved nursing courses and ask each university to assess your eligibility.
- Confirm 2027 international tuition, scholarship terms, intake, campus and placement obligations in writing.
- Prepare for the nursing-specific English requirement, not just a general bachelor score.
- Submit complete applications and read every condition in your offer.
- Arrange reliable financial evidence, OSHC and your valid CoE, then prepare the visa application under the current rules.
- Budget for clinical placements, health checks and travel before you leave.
Parents’ checklist before paying a deposit
- Confirm the exact course award and its NMBA approval.
- Check that the student’s +2 subjects meet the prerequisites.
- Compare English requirements for admission and for future professional registration.
- Ask for total tuition for the full course, not only the first year.
- Confirm scholarship conditions and clinical-placement locations.
- Budget for living costs, OSHC and extra nursing equipment.
- Make sure the source of funds is genuine and traceable.
- Review the current Student visa rules, especially if family members are part of the plan.
- Keep copies of all written offers and official documents.
Career opportunities after nursing
A graduate who meets the applicable registration standards may work in hospitals, community care, mental health, aged care and other healthcare settings. Employers make their own hiring decisions. An Australian nursing degree does not guarantee Ahpra registration, a job, a Temporary Graduate visa or permanent residence. Registration, immigration status and employment are separate decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study nursing after NEB +2 Science?
Potentially yes, subject to the university’s academic, prerequisite and English assessment.
Can a +2 Management student apply?
Do not assume direct entry. Ask for a course-specific eligibility decision and check which pathways are approved.
Is IELTS 6.0 enough for nursing?
Not for the Southern Cross University 2027 test pathway. It requires IELTS overall 7.0, with 7.0 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing.
How much is Southern Cross University nursing tuition for 2027?
The official page lists AUD 27,000 indicative first-year international tuition, subject to change.
Does a diploma automatically make me a Registered Nurse?
No. Different qualifications lead to different outcomes. Verify the NMBA-approved course and the registration pathway.
Is Ahpra registration automatic after graduation?
No. Graduates must apply and meet the current professional standards.
Can I bring my spouse?
Family members can generally be included in a Student visa application only if an exemption applies, and they cannot be added after the visa is granted. The rules changed on 2 October 2026, so check current eligibility with Home Affairs instead of relying on earlier advice.
Does nursing guarantee Australian PR?
No. Course completion, registration, employment and immigration eligibility are separate.
Final advice
The best nursing course for a Nepali student is not automatically the cheapest or the most famous. Choose an approved program that fits your academic record, English level, finances and willingness to complete clinical placements. Verify everything with the university, NMBA, Ahpra and Home Affairs before you make any payment.
Get guidance from Education Tree Global
Education Tree Global can help you compare eligible university options, check admission requirements, plan your English preparation and understand the application process. Head Office: Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu. Branches and contact offices: Chitwan, Pokhara, Butwal and Sydney, Australia. (verify against the live site)
Phone: 01-5911944
WhatsApp: 9851224622 and 9851278944 (verify)
Email: Enquiry@educationtreeglobal.com
Website: https://educationtreeglobal.com/
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Official references and useful links
- Southern Cross University 2027 Bachelor of Nursing
- CQUniversity Bachelor of Nursing handbook (2026 fee)
- La Trobe Bachelor of Nursing
- La Trobe international fees
- Ahpra accepted English tests (updated 23 April 2026)
- Ahpra approved programs of study
- NMBA student registration
- Study Australia: Student visa and October 2026 update
- Home Affairs: Student visa (subclass 500), fees and financial capacity
- Home Affairs: Genuine Student requirement