What ATAR Do You Need to Study Nursing in Australia?

You got your ATAR result. You know you want to become a nurse. Then comes the question that stops many future nursing students in their tracks: Is my score actually enough to get me into the course I want?

Finding a clear answer is harder than it should be. You see different numbers, entry requirements and advice depending on where you look. A small difference in your ATAR score can feel significant when you are deciding which nursing pathways are available and what steps to take next.

Here is what you actually need to know. Nursing entry scores are not random numbers pulled from nowhere. They come from university admissions data and change depending on the institution, location, demand and the number of applicants each year.

This guide breaks down the verified 2026 nursing ATAR requirements, because guessing is not a strategy when your nursing career is on the other side of it.

Below are the real, verified 2026 figures, what to do if yours falls short and why every pathway in this guide leads to the same place. AHPRA registration as a Registered Nurse (RN).

TL;DR

• There is no single nursing ATAR. Confirmed 2026 lowest selection ranks range from the high 50s to the low 80s, depending on the university and campus.

• Deakin's standard Bachelor of Nursing sat at 70.05 for 2026, with a guaranteed ATAR of 61 for eligible students.

• ACU's nursing programmes ranged from 67.05 to 90.15 depending on campus and combined degree.

• La Trobe's nursing offers ranged from 57.65 to 64.75 across campuses.

• If your ATAR falls short, the Diploma of Nursing leads to Enrolled Nurse (EN) registration with no ATAR required at all.

• Domestic nursing and midwifery students may be eligible for a Commonwealth government payment to support clinical placements.

• Every pathway, ATAR or not, ends in the same place: AHPRA registration.

What ATAR Actually Is

If you trained outside Australia or are returning to study after years away, this part matters before the numbers do.

ATAR stands for Australian Tertiary Admission Rank. It is a percentile rank, not a raw score, running from 0 to 99.95. 

The ATAR is not a score out of 100 the way an exam result is. It is a ranking that places you relative to every other Year 12 student in your state, so an ATAR of 75 simply means you performed better than 75% of your entire year group, not that you got 75% of anything right.

ATAR is one criterion universities use for nursing entry, but not the only one. Universities also weigh work experience, personal statements, interviews and access schemes alongside your ATAR. A strong application can sometimes make up for a score just below the published minimum.

However, ATAR does not apply to the Diploma of Nursing pathways at TAFE at all. TAFE is vocational education, not university admission, so entry runs on different criteria: completing Year 12 or equivalent, being 19 or older for mature-age entry or holding relevant work or life experience.

For international applicants, qualifications are assessed for equivalence rather than being measured against UK GCSE or A Level grades directly, which we cover further down.

Remember: The cutoff a university publishes is its lowest selection rank. The lowest rank that received an offer in that intake. It is not a guaranteed entry point and it is not fixed. 

Adjustment factors, regional bonus points, subject bonus points and access schemes can lift your effective selection rank well above your raw ATAR. UNSW's Gateway pathway, for instance, can offer conditional entry up to 15 points below a course's published lowest selection rank for eligible students.

The Real 2026 Nursing Selection Ranks, By University

The figures below are based on official admissions data published through tertiary admissions centres and university course pages, including the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) and Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).

A transparency note before you read these 

Lowest selection ranks shift every intake based on applicant numbers and available places. Treat every figure below as a 2026 reference point, not a promise and always confirm directly with the institution before you apply.

A pattern worth understanding: 

1. Combined nursing degrees such as nursing/midwifery or nursing/paramedicine often have higher selection ranks than standalone Bachelor of Nursing programmes at the same university. This usually reflects the following:

• Differences in course demand

• Available places

• Applicant pool rather than the quality of the nursing education itself. 

If your ATAR sits in the 60s, a standalone Bachelor of Nursing or an alternative pathway may provide a more realistic route into nursing, especially compared with highly competitive combined degrees.

P.S. Not sure whether your grades are enough for nursing or what alternatives exist if you fall short? Read our guide on nursing grade requirements and pathway options. 

2. In Sydney and Melbourne specifically. Some universities, including the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne, publish admission information through their own course pages rather than in a straightforward UAC or VTAC table. Before drawing any conclusions:

• Go directly to the university's own course page

• Confirm the current nursing entry requirements for the specific intake year

• Do not rely on figures quoted on third-party sites, since these are often outdated or estimated

3. If you are applying through an alternative pathway. Universities assess prior study such as TAFE qualifications or higher education results as part of the application. But two things to know:

• • Meeting the minimum entry requirement does not guarantee an offer

  • Check the specific pathway criteria for each institution directly, since requirements vary

4. The financial detail that almost never appears in ATAR guides. If you are a domestic student, eligible nursing and midwifery students may be able to access Commonwealth Prac Payments to help cover costs during mandatory clinical placements. Check your eligibility before your first placement, not at the end of your degree. 

5. A critical point that could affect your entire degree if you miss it. Your university's English language entry requirement and the standard required for professional registration are not always the same. Under the AHPRA English Language Skills Registration Standard, the IELTS Academic pathway requires:

• Overall score: 7.0

• Listening: 7.0

• Reading: 7.0

• Speaking: 7.0

• Writing: 6.5

Completing a nursing degree does not automatically mean you meet the English language standard required for registration. If your university admission English requirement is lower than the NMBA/AHPRA registration standard, you may need to meet the registration standard separately before you can register as a nurse.

What If Your ATAR Falls Short?

A lower ATAR does not close the door to nursing. It changes which door you walk through first to get to nursing. Here is the actual plan, not a soft "don't worry".

A. The Diploma of Nursing and Enrolled Nurse Pathway 

If a Bachelor of Nursing feels out of reach right now, the Diploma of Nursing is another pathway into the profession. It gives you a different entry point into nursing while still moving you towards becoming a registered healthcare professional.

The pathway generally looks like this:

Step 1: Complete a Diploma of Nursing

This nationally accredited qualification (such as HLT54121) is usually completed over 18 to 24 months full-time through TAFE or other approved training providers. The course includes mandatory clinical placement, where you gain practical nursing experience in healthcare settings.

Step 2: Meet the registration requirements

After completing the diploma and meeting the required standards, graduates can apply for registration as an EN with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia through AHPRA.

Step 3: Understand the entry requirements before applying

Many Diploma of Nursing programmes do not use ATAR as the main admission measure, especially through TAFE and VET pathways. However, requirements vary between providers.

Some institutions may require:

• Year 12 completion

• Literacy and numeracy assessments

• English language requirements

• An interview or selection process

• Previous study or relevant qualifications

The important thing is to check the exact requirements for the provider you are applying to.

Step 4: Start working as an EN

A diploma of nursing can provide a practical route if you did not meet bachelor of nursing entry scores. It allows you to enter the nursing workforce sooner while also creating a possible pathway for further study towards becoming an RN.

Current salary data places EN earnings broadly between $58,000 and $82,000 a year depending on state, sector and experience, with most current sources clustering around $65,000 to $75,000.

Step 5: Use the EN-to-RN pathway if becoming a registered nurse is your goal

From there, you may be able to bridge to a bachelor of nursing with credit for prior learning. ACU's Bachelor of Nursing for ENs, the later-year entry pathway shown in the table above, is built specifically for this transition. It can reduce the remaining study time to roughly two to two and a half years instead of starting a fresh three-year degree.

Step 6: Check funding options

Several states fund the diploma stage through Free TAFE schemes, as shown in the table, which can bring the direct course cost close to zero, leaving only materials and incidental costs, typically in the low thousands.

Mature-Age Entry (19 and Over)

Some universities use alternative admission methods for applicants who completed secondary education more than two years ago.

Thus, instead of relying only on an ATAR, they may assess previous study, work experience or other entry criteria. However, requirements vary by university and course, so applicants should check the specific nursing entry pathway before applying.

For instance:

• For students who do not meet direct Bachelor of Nursing entry requirements, Victoria University provides an example of how these pathways can work. As a dual-sector university offering both TAFE and higher education, VU allows students to begin through vocational study and progress towards university study. Course-specific entry requirements still apply at each stage, so students should confirm the pathway requirements before enrolling.

• ACU offers the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test as an alternative pathway for applicants over 21.

Every Pathway Leads Here: AHPRA Registration

Many aspiring nurses focus heavily on getting into the right course, whether that is a bachelor of nursing, diploma of nursing pathway or another approved route. However, completing your qualification is only one part of becoming a nurse in Australia.

The final step that connects every pathway together is registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) through AHPRA. Without registration, you cannot practise as an RN in Australia.

To apply for registration, you must:

• Complete an approved nursing program that meets Australian nursing education standards

• Apply to AHPRA for registration with the NMBA

• Meet AHPRA/NMBA’s English language requirements, such as the IELTS Academic pathway:

• Overall score of 7.0

• Minimum 7.0 in listening, reading and speaking

• Minimum 6.5 in writing

• Or another accepted English language pathway

• Submit the required documents, including:

• Academic transcripts

• Proof of identity

• Criminal history check

• Evidence of meeting health requirements

• Pay the registration fee

This is why choosing your pathway matters. The decision is not only about getting accepted into a course. It is about choosing a route that fits your current situation and still leads you towards registration.

Tip: Registration does not happen automatically after graduation. Processing can take several weeks to a few months depending on your circumstances. If you have a target date for your first nursing role, work backward from AHPRA’s processing timeline rather than only counting from your graduation date.

For many students, the biggest decision is not whether nursing is the goal but which pathway gets them there. Your ATAR, previous qualifications, preferred state, budget and timeline all affect which option makes the most sense.

So, if you are deciding between a direct bachelor's/diploma of nursing pathway or another route, a UKNurses specialist can help you compare your options based on your situation instead of relying only on publications.

Also, if English testing is part of your pathway, choosing the right exam matters. Our OET guide explains what nurses need to know before booking their test.

For International Applicants, Does ATAR Apply to You?

If you did not sit the Australian HSC, VCE or an equivalent state Year 12 certificate, ATAR simply does not apply to your application. Universities assess your equivalent senior secondary qualification instead.

IB – International Baccalaureate (a globally recognised curriculum for students aged 3–19) applicants typically need a score in the mid-20s to low-30s for nursing programmes, depending on the institution. A-Level applicants typically need grades of C or above in relevant subjects, though exact requirements vary by university.

From April 2025, streamlined registration pathways exist for nurses already qualified in jurisdictions the NMBA recognises as comparable, currently the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada (British Columbia and Ontario), Singapore and Spain, provided you hold sufficient recent practice hours. But for every other country, the NMBA assesses qualifications individually through its standard pathway.

English language requirements sit at the same standard either way. IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with no band below 7.0 or OET at grade B, required for both university entry and AHPRA registration, which is exactly the mismatch the callout above warned about.

If you are navigating this from overseas, our NMC, NMBA and NCNZ 2025 Revalidation Guide covers what changes once you are registered and working. Also, if you want help comparing your options, we can help you understand the pathway that best fits your situation, whether that means direct bachelor's entry, a diploma pathway or another route. 

Not Sure Which Pathway Is Right for You? This Is What We Do

Getting into a nursing programme in Australia depends on more than just your ATAR. Factors that can change your pathway include:

• Your state and university

• The specific nursing course

• Whether you are a domestic or international student

• Your previous qualifications, such as a diploma or another degree

• Alternative entry pathways available

An ATAR table can give you a guide, but it cannot determine every possible route into nursing. Your best option depends on your individual circumstances.

At UKNurses, we work with nurses and nursing educators who have been through every one of these pathways themselves. Australian TAFE, bachelor's entry, postgraduate entry and international registration. 

We do not hand you a generic checklist. We sit with you, look at your specific ATAR, your specific state and your specific timeline and tell you the most direct route to the registration you are actually working toward. That conversation takes thirty minutes and it costs nothing. 

So, if you know you want to be a nurse and the pathway is the question, book a free consultation with a UKNurses expert today and get a clear answer based on your specific situation, not a generic range.

Frequently Asked Questions: What ATAR Do You Need to Study Nursing in Australia?

1. What is the minimum ATAR for nursing in Australia? 

There is no single minimum. Verified 2026 figures range from the high 50s at some regional and access-scheme variants up to the low 80s for standalone nursing degrees and into the 90s for nursing combined with a second degree like paramedicine.

2. What ATAR do I need for nursing in NSW? 

NSW nursing selection ranks vary by university and are not all consistently published in nursing-specific form. Confirm directly with your target university's course page rather than relying on a generic NSW-wide figure.

3. Can I study nursing without an ATAR in Australia? 

Yes. The Diploma of Nursing at TAFE requires no ATAR and leads to EN registration. Mature-age entry, postgraduate entry for career changers and access schemes also bypass the standard ATAR requirement.

4. What is the difference between a Diploma of Nursing and a Bachelor of Nursing? 

The Diploma of Nursing, 18 to 24 months at TAFE, leads to EN registration. The Bachelor of Nursing, three years at university, leads to RN registration. EN can bridge to a bachelor of nursing with credit for prior learning.

5. Does ATAR matter if I am an international student? 

No. International applicants are assessed on their equivalent senior secondary qualification, such as the IB or A-Levels, not on an ATAR.

6. What ATAR do I need for nursing at Deakin? 

Deakin's standard Bachelor of Nursing had a 2026 lowest selection rank of 70.05, with a guaranteed ATAR of 61 for eligible students under Deakin's own access scheme. A regional or access-scheme variant of the same course sat as low as 51.35.

7. What ATAR do I need for nursing at ACU? 

ACU's Bachelor of Nursing ranged from 67.05 to 70.80 depending on the campus for 2026, with combined degrees such as nursing and paramedicine sitting much higher at 90.15.

8. Can I become an RN through TAFE? 

Not directly. TAFE's Diploma of Nursing leads to EN registration. To become an RN, you need a Bachelor of Nursing, either entered directly or via a diploma-to-bachelor bridging pathway with credit for your EN study and experience.

9. What happens if my ATAR changes year to year? 

Published lowest selection ranks are not fixed entry requirements. They move with each intake based on the number and strength of that year's applicants. A figure from last year is a guide, not a guarantee, for the year you actually apply.

10. Do I need biology or chemistry to study nursing in Australia?

Requirements vary by university. Some subjects are listed as assumed knowledge rather than mandatory prerequisites, meaning you can still apply, but you may need extra preparation if you do not have that background. Check the specific course page for your target university rather than assuming a blanket national rule.

Sources

1. UAC | Lowest selection ranks, January Round 1, 2026 admissions. Published 8 January 2026. uac.edu.au/assets/documents/atar/lowest-selection-ranks-vacancies-jan-r1-2026.pdf 

2. Deakin University | Bachelor of Nursing, 2026 VTAC lowest selection rank and Guaranteed ATAR data. deakin.edu.au/course/bachelor-nursing 

3. Deakin University | Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery, 2026 entry data. deakin.edu.au/course/bachelor-nursing-bachelor-midwifery 

4. Deakin University | Bachelor of Nursing (Clinical Leadership), 2026 entry data. deakin.edu.au/course/bachelor-nursing-clinical-leadership

5. UNSW Sydney | Accepted qualifications and Certificate IV competitiveness benchmark. unsw.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/accepted-qualifications 

6. UNSW Sydney | Gateway Admission Pathway, adjusted ATAR entry up to 15 points below lowest selection rank. uac.edu.au/institutions/unsw-sydney/admission-criteria-and-entry-schemes 

7. UTS | Bachelor of Nursing, Commonwealth government payment eligibility for nursing and midwifery placements. uts.edu.au/courses/bachelor-of-nursing 

8. Victoria University | Bachelor of Nursing, 2026 entry requirements and English language standards. vu.edu.au/courses/bachelor-of-nursing-hbnb 

9. AHPRA | English language skills registration standard. ahpra.gov.au 

10. https://xpresshealth.com.au/registered-nurse-salary-queensland-2026 

11. Fair Work Australia | Nurses Award [MA000034] pay guide, effective October 2025. fairwork.gov.au 

12. Victoria University | Average nurse salaries across Australian states. vu.edu.au/about-vu/news-events/vu-blog/average-nurse-salaries-across-australian-states 

13. ANMAC | Accredited nursing programs and qualification assessment. anmac.org.au