Scholarships to study nursing and health in Australia: opportunities and requirements

🔄 Cập nhật lần cuối: 08/10/26

Australia is one of the most attractive destinations for Vietnamese students who want to study nursing and other health professions thanks to its training system associated with clinical practice and the large demand for medical human resources. However, Scholarship to study nursing in Australia and health has its own characteristics: no full scholarship Few, high English requirements and strict career path. This article helps you see opportunities clearly and prepare in the right direction.

Overview of the nursing and medical industry in Australia

Programs popular with international students include:

• Bachelor of Nursing: usually 3 years, leading to Registered Nurse registration if the course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
• Master of Nursing – pre-registration: for people who already have a bachelor's degree in another field.
• Diploma of Nursing (vocational level): leads to Enrolled Nurse, can progress to bachelor's degree.
• Public health, health management, nutrition, physical therapy, pharmacy...: health professions that do not directly clinical care like public health often provide easier access to government scholarships.

If you want to understand the overall Australian scholarships first, read the article Scholarships to study in Australia: Australia Awards and school scholarships.

Sources of scholarships to study nursing and health in Australia

Australian Government Scholarship (Australia Awards)

Australia Awards are full postgraduate scholarships funded by the Australian Government. According to the Australia Awards Vietnam page, "Health" is in the priority areas with examples such as health policy and services, public health, mental health. The scholarship is aimed at working people who are oriented to contribute to Vietnam, have experience conditions and are committed to returning to their country after studying. Clinical programs are not included in the list of priority examples, so candidates should read each session's instructions carefully. See more articles Master's scholarship application strategy.

University scholarships

This is the most popular source for nursing students. Many Australian schools have scholarships for international students, usually in the form of a tuition fee reduction (commonly around 10–30%, some schools have higher levels) for the entire course or first year, based on academic achievement. Some scholarships are granted automatically upon receiving an admission letter; others need to apply separately. Levels and retention requirements vary by school, so check the official scholarship page.

Regional scholarships and industry scholarships

Regional schools often have more attractive scholarships and lower living costs. In addition, some hospitals and professional organizations have awards and scholarships for current students, but they are usually only open once you have enrolled. A comprehensive list of scholarships is available on the Australian Government's Study Australia portal.

Entry requirements and registration to practice

English

The nursing profession has higher English requirements than many other professions. To register to practice after graduation, you must meet NMBA's English standards, commonly understood as IELTS Academic 7.0 in each skill or equivalent results on accepted tests such as OET, PTE, TOEFL iBT. Many schools set entry requirements close to this standard. Please see the article Choose IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo and check specific requirements on the AHPRA site.

Academic ability and prerequisite subjects

Bachelor's degrees often consider high school scores, some schools require Biology, Chemistry or Math. A transfer master's degree requires a bachelor's degree and sometimes background coursework in health sciences.

Clinical internship and accompanying requirements

Before going to clinical practice, students often must have a police check, a working with children check, vaccination records and a first aid certificate. Please bring your original vaccination book with a translation. See more articles Medical examination for student visa application.

Register to practice

Only NMBA approved courses lead to Registered Nurse registration. When choosing a school, check the course is on the list of approved programs on the AHPRA site.

Costs and financial problems

Tuition fees for nursing in Australia are in the average - high group; In addition, you need to calculate living expenses, OSHC health insurance and internship costs (uniforms, transportation to the internship facility). Students are allowed to work part-time within the time limit prescribed by the visa; Many of you work as elderly care assistants, earning income and gaining experience. See details in the article Study abroad in Australia and save money: scholarships, part-time work and expenses and Australian student visa subclass 500.

Document preparation plan

1. 12–18 months ago: practice IELTS/OET, choose a school with a course approved by NMBA.
2. 9–12 months ago: submit application for admission and school scholarships; with Australia Awards, follow the application opening.
3. 4–6 months ago: receive invitation letter, pay fee, receive CoE, submit visa.
4. 1–2 months ago: additional vaccinations, preparing internship documents, booking tickets and accommodation.

Once you have the CoE and visa, VeDuHoc can help you choose a flight that matches the school's orientation schedule. More than 30 Bookers hunt for multi-carrier tickets, optimize 40–46kg luggage, check transit requirements and send flight information via Zalo to parents. Refer to the service air tickets to study abroad.

Frequently asked questions

Are there full scholarships for undergraduate nursing in Australia?

Very rare. Most scholarships for international undergraduate students are partial tuition fee reductions. Full scholarships mainly at postgraduate level such as Australia Awards.

How much does IELTS cost to study nursing in Australia?

Each school has its own requirements, but to register to practice after graduation you need to meet NMBA's English standards, usually equivalent to IELTS Academic 7.0 in each skill. You should aim for this level from the beginning.

Can a Diploma of Nursing student register to practice?

Yes, if the course is approved you can apply for Enrolled Nurse. This is a different level from Registered Nurse and has a narrower scope of practice.

Is studying public health easier to apply for Australia Awards?

Public health and health policy are among the priority areas of Australia Awards Vietnam, but the results also depend on experience, contribution planning and interviews.

The nursing and medical industry in Australia opens up many opportunities but requires careful preparation in English, finances and a correct understanding of the practice roadmap. When you are ready to go, contact VeDuHoc via hotline/Zalo 090.1800.918 for flight ticket support.

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