1. Flinders University 2025 Latest Policy Updates

1. Student visa processing speed has been significantly improved

Flinders is currently classified as EL1 level, so student visas are prioritized for processing. According to the latest data, the approval rate for student visas for S1 intake applicants from outside China is almost 100%. From issuing the CoE to visa grant usually takes only about 4 weeks. For agents and students, this means lower risk, shorter cycles, and easier assurance that students can catch up with the start of the semester.

2. All courses (including nursing) officially accept IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR)

All courses at Flinders accept IELTS One Skill Retake, including the previously most strictly required nursing and midwifery courses.

3. Undergraduate nursing entry language requirements lowered (important benefit)

Starting in 2025, the writing requirement for undergraduate nursing has been reduced from the original IELTS 7.0 to 6.5 (PTE from 66 to 56). The other three components remain at 7.0 (PTE 66).

Additionally, the validity period of test scores has been shortened to 12 months, but score combining within 12 months is accepted.

4. Flinders permanently accepts Duolingo (non-nursing categories)

The university has officially announced the permanent acceptance of Duolingo as evidence of English proficiency for admission.

However, the following courses are excluded:

• Nursing (pre-undergraduate and post-undergraduate entry)
• Undergraduate Midwifery
• Medicine (combined bachelor's and master's, post-undergraduate entry)

For majors such as business, IT, humanities, etc., Duolingo is a very friendly option.

5. English-taught exemption policy extended to courses in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and other regions

Starting in 2025, Flinders has expanded the list of countries and regions eligible for English-taught exemptions, including:Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China(as well as traditional English-speaking countries).

Exemption requirements are as follows:

• If students complete at least 1 year of English-taught courses in these regions, they can be exempted from programs requiring an overall score of 7.0 with writing not less than 6.5 (such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, etc.).
• If students complete at least 2 years of English-taught courses, they can be exempted from programs requiring an overall score of 7.0 with all four components at 7.0 (such as education, social work, etc.).
• Undergraduate nursing, undergraduate midwifery, and some psychology courses do not accept English-taught exemptions.

This policy is very beneficial for students with backgrounds from Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia courses, significantly reducing language costs.

2. Health (High Salary + High Employment) Courses

1. Health Industry Trends and Demand

1. Australia's largest industry: Healthcare and social assistance is the largest employment sector in the country and is expected to maintain strong growth until 2033.
2. Severe skill shortages: According to the SPL Skills Priority List, over 82% of occupations in the health field are in long-term shortage, belonging to a continuously high-demand industry.

2. Health Direction - Undergraduate Courses - Core Summary

2.1. Optometry (Vision Science + Master of Optometry)

• Duration: 5 years combined bachelor's and master's
• Tuition: $44,500/year
• English: IELTS 7 (4x7)
• High school requirement: Gaokao first-tier score / ATAR 95
• Internship: 400 hours
• Accreditation: OCANZ
• Salary: Median $115,000 → Advantages: High salary, high threshold, Australia-New Zealand accreditation, scarce profession

2.2. Paramedicine Undergraduate

• Duration: 3 years
• English: IELTS 7 (4x7)
• High school requirement: Gaokao first-tier score / ATAR 90
• Internship: 300 hours
• Accreditation: Paramedicine Board
• Salary: $110,000–150,000 → Advantages: Nation's first accredited paramedicine undergraduate, high employment rate

2.3. Speech Pathology Undergraduate

• Duration: 4 years
• English: IELTS 7 (4x7)
• High school requirement: Gaokao first-tier score / ATAR 80
• Internship: 1000 hours (longest in Australia)
• Accreditation: Speech Pathology Australia → Can register directly in the UK and many Asian countries without a master's degree

2.4. Laboratory Medicine Undergraduate

• Duration: 4 years
• English: IELTS 6 (writing and speaking 6) low requirement!
• High school requirement: Gaokao second-tier score
• Internship: 900 hours
• Accreditation: AIMS
• Tuition: $41,400/year → Suitable for cost-effective routes, low threshold, stable employment

2.5. Nutrition and Dietetics Undergraduate

• Duration: 4 years
• English: IELTS 7 (4x7)
• Internship: 110 days
• Accreditation: Australia, UK, Singapore, New Zealand, Canada multiple countries
• Salary: Median $90,000 → Multinational professional qualifications, suitable for future return to home country or international employment

2.6. Midwifery Undergraduate

• Duration: 3 years
• English: IELTS 7 (4x7)
• Internship: 29 weeks
• Accreditation: ANMAC → First in Australia to offer undergraduate midwifery, median salary $95,000

3. Pathway (Foundation & International Year One)

Foundation StudiesSuitable for students with insufficient high school grades or unmet English requirements, can directly enter:

Intake: Every June

• Optometry (Vision Science + Optometry)
• Paramedicine
• Speech Pathology
• Midwifery

International Year One (Diploma in Health)Direct entry to the second year of undergraduate

• Laboratory Medicine: February, June, October intake
• Nutrition and Dietetics: February, June
  

3. Master's Courses (Health Science Direction)

3. Three Treasure Courses (Nursing / Education / Social Work)

Suitable for students with overall needs mainly oriented towards:

• Desiring high employment rates, strong social demand, and stable careers
• General background or no relevant professional background
• Limited family budget, hoping for high input-return matching
• Pursuing career paths with strong certainty (nursing, education, social work all belong to high-demand fields for Australian immigration & employment)

1. Nursing

• Global ranking top 56 (QS 2025)
• Over 40 years of nursing teaching experience
• One of the five WHO ICNP collaboration centers worldwide
• Clinical internships can start from the first year, with simulation wards fully integrated with real hospital scenarios
• Accredited in Australia and globally, graduates have international recognition

Bachelor of Nursing (Preregistration) — 3 years

• Suitable for: Gaokao second-tier score, undergraduate students changing majors
• Entry language: IELTS 7 (listening and speaking 7, writing 6.5), PTE overall 66 (writing 56) score combining allowed
• Offers 20%–50% scholarships
• February intake, limited spots
• Graduation median salary approximately AUD $95,000

Bachelor of Nursing (Graduate Entry) — 2 years

• Suitable for: Already graduated undergraduate students
• No additional prerequisite courses required
• Language requirements same as above

2. Early Childhood Education / Education

• Government invested 7.1 billion AUD to expand childcare/preschool
• Children can enter preschool at age 3, larger teacher shortage
• Teacher registration authorities officially recognize two types of qualifications: 0–5 years, 0–8 years

2.1. Undergraduate Courses (4 years)

• Bachelor of Education (Birth–5) 3 years completion, no LANTITE requirement
• Bachelor of Education (Birth–8) Can teach up to primary grades 1–3, requires LANTITE
• Language requirement: IELTS 7 (each component 7), can be paired with language courses
• Offers 20%–50% scholarships
• Gaokao second-tier score or undergraduate can apply
• Requires submission of: Teaching Capability Statement (TCS)

2.2. Master of Education (2 years)

Master of Teaching (Birth–5)

• No LANTITE
• Suitable for undergraduates without teaching background
• Emphasizes 0–5 years early childhood education, highest demand in childcare and kindergarten

Master of Teaching (Early Childhood 0–8)

• Covers early childhood education + first 3 years of primary school
• Requires LANTITE
• Broader employment scope

Master of Teaching (Secondary)

Requires LANTITE
Determine one teaching area to offer direction: Business studies, drama, English, geography, health education, history, information technology, legal studies, mathematics, modern languages (Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Indonesian, German, Modern Greek), nutrition, outdoor education, psychology, science (physics, chemistry, biology, earth science), TESOL, tourism, visual arts

3. Social Work

• Employment growth rate as high as 23.2% (predicted by Australian Employment Bureau)
• Graduation salary considerable, huge social demand
• Flinders University has Australia's first Graduate Entry Master of Social Work
• Fully accredited by AASW (Australian Association of Social Workers)
• Internship duration 1000 hours, highly practical

(1) Undergraduate — Bachelor of Social Work (4 years)

• Language: IELTS 7 (each component not less than 7)
• Suitable for: Gaokao second-tier, International Year One, foundation students
• Two intakes per year: March, July

(2) Master's — Master of Social Work (2 years)

• Suitable for undergraduates in: Psychology, anthropology, community development, counseling, etc.
• Language: IELTS 7 (each component 7)

(3) Social Work Bridging Course GCSI (3 months)

• Language requirement: IELTS 6.5 (each component 6)
• After completion, can directly enter Master of Social Work
• Starts every April and November
• No additional background required, can make up for prerequisite conditions

4. Flinders University Pathway Articulation Courses

1. Foundation StudiesCan articulate to:

• Nursing (February, June)
• Social Work (February, June)
• Education (February, June)

2. Health International Year One Diploma in Health,Can articulate to popular courses:

• Health Science/Master of Occupational Therapy

• Health Science/Master of Physiotherapy

• Laboratory Medicine*

• Public Health

• Social Work*

For other course summaries and scholarship information, please refer to the attached PDF I have categorized.

** The above course information is the latest as of now, please refer to the official website for the most current information