Aged Care
Enrolled Nurse Standards for Practice: All 10 NMBA Standards Explained (2026)
Quick Answer
The standards provide the framework for assessing enrolled nurse practice. They set the minimum expected level of safe, competent and ethical practice, guide education programs, help ENs assess their own competence, and are used by the NMBA and tribunals when assessing professional conduct. They have applied since 1 January 2016.
The Enrolled Nurse Standards for Practice are the core professional standards every enrolled nurse (EN) in Australia must meet. Set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), they describe how ENs should think, behave and deliver care, whether they work in a hospital, community health or an aged care home.
This guide lists all 10 standards, explains the three domains they sit within, shows what each standard looks like in everyday practice, and clarifies how an EN’s scope differs from a registered nurse’s. It is written for enrolled nurses, Diploma of Nursing students and the managers who support them.
What Are the Enrolled Nurse Standards for Practice?
According to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, the Enrolled Nurse Standards for Practice are the core practice standards that provide the framework for assessing EN practice. They replaced the National Competency Standards for the Enrolled Nurse from 2002.
The standards are deliberately broad and principle-based. Rather than listing specific clinical tasks, they describe the qualities and behaviours expected of every EN, so they can be applied in any setting and benchmark competence whatever the clinical area.
Central to the standards is the relationship between the enrolled nurse and the registered nurse (RN). ENs work under the direct or indirect supervision of an RN. They remain responsible for their own actions and accountable to the RN for the care delegated to them. This shared accountability is why so many of the standards focus on communication, collaboration and knowing when to escalate concerns. It also explains why the standards sit alongside other NMBA documents, including the Code of conduct for nurses and the decision-making framework, which together form the professional practice framework for nursing in Australia.
The standards are used in several ways: by education providers designing Diploma of Nursing programs, by the NMBA when assessing applications for registration and renewal, by employers when describing roles and assessing performance, and by ENs themselves when reflecting on their practice.
The 10 Enrolled Nurse Standards for Practice
There are 10 standards, organised within three domains: professional and collaborative practice, provision of care, and reflective and analytical practice. Each standard is supported by indicators that show how it is demonstrated in practice.
Standard 1
Functions in accordance with the law, policies and procedures affecting EN practice
Standard 2
Practises nursing in a way that ensures the rights, confidentiality, dignity and respect of people are upheld
Standard 3
Accepts accountability and responsibility for own actions
Standard 4
Interprets information from a range of sources in order to contribute to planning appropriate care
Standard 5
Collaborates with the RN, the person receiving care and the healthcare team when developing plans of care
Standard 6
Provides skilled and timely care to people whilst promoting their independence and involvement in care decision-making
Standard 7
Communicates and uses documentation to inform and report care
Standard 8
Provides nursing care that is informed by research evidence
Standard 9
Practises within safety and quality improvement guidelines and standards
Standard 10
Engages in ongoing development of self as a professional
Always check the full standards and indicators on the NMBA website, as wording is summarised here.
The Three Domains Explained
Professional and collaborative practice. This domain is about how an EN works within the law, upholds people’s rights, takes responsibility for their own actions and works as part of a team with the RN, the person receiving care and other health professionals.
Provision of care. This domain covers the hands-on side of nursing: gathering and interpreting information, contributing to care plans, delivering skilled and timely care, communicating clearly and basing care on evidence.
Reflective and analytical practice. This domain focuses on safety, quality improvement and lifelong learning. It asks ENs to reflect on their own practice, learn from incidents and feedback, and keep their knowledge and skills current.
What Each Standard Looks Like in Practice
The table gives an everyday example of each standard in a residential aged care setting, where many ENs work.
| 1 | Law and policy. Following the facility’s medication policy and state medicines laws, and only administering medicines the EN is qualified and authorised to give. |
|---|---|
| 2 | Rights and dignity. Knocking before entering a resident’s room, closing curtains during personal care and keeping health information private. |
| 3 | Accountability. Declining a delegated task that is outside the EN’s competence and explaining why to the RN. |
| 4 | Interpreting information. Noticing a resident’s rising temperature and reduced fluid intake, and reporting the pattern to the RN. |
| 5 | Collaboration. Contributing observations at a care plan review with the RN, the resident, their family and the physiotherapist. |
| 6 | Skilled, timely care. Completing a wound dressing on schedule while encouraging the resident to choose when it suits them. |
| 7 | Communication and documentation. Writing clear, timely progress notes and giving an accurate handover at the end of a shift. |
| 8 | Evidence-based care. Using current pressure injury prevention guidelines when repositioning a resident. |
| 9 | Safety and quality. Reporting a near miss with medication and taking part in the follow-up review. |
| 10 | Professional development. Completing continuing professional development each year and reflecting on feedback from colleagues. |
Which Standard Relates to Decision-Making and Provision of Care?
This is a common question in Diploma of Nursing assessments. Standard 6 most directly relates to both, as it requires ENs to provide skilled and timely care while promoting people’s independence and involvement in care decision-making. In practice, this means delivering care competently and on time, and supporting the person to make their own choices wherever possible.
Several other standards also connect to decision-making. Standard 4 covers interpreting information to contribute to care planning, Standard 5 covers collaborating with the RN and the person when developing care plans, and Standard 3 covers being accountable for the decisions and actions an EN takes.
Enrolled Nurse vs Registered Nurse
Enrolled nurse
- Usually holds a Diploma of Nursing
- Works under the direct or indirect supervision of an RN
- Contributes to assessment and care planning
- Accountable to the RN for delegated care
VS
Registered nurse
- Usually holds a Bachelor of Nursing
- Practises independently and supervises ENs
- Leads comprehensive assessment and care planning
- Meets the separate Registered Nurse Standards for Practice
In residential aged care, this distinction matters for staffing. Homes must have a Registered Nurse on site 24 hours a day, and care minutes targets include a specific amount of Registered Nurse time, although a small share of that RN target can be met by ENs. Our guide to care minutes in aged care explains how this works.
Enrolled Nurse Scope of Practice
An EN’s scope of practice depends on their education, competence, authorisation, the workplace and the needs of the person receiving care. There is no single national list of EN tasks. As a general guide:
Commonly within EN practice
Personal and clinical care, observations and monitoring, wound care, reporting changes in condition, documentation and supporting care plans.
Depends on training and workplace
Administering medicines, which requires the relevant qualification and is governed by state laws and employer policy. ENs with a medication notation on their registration cannot administer medicines.
Retained by the RN
Overall responsibility for comprehensive assessment, care planning and evaluation, and for supervising and delegating to ENs.
When deciding whether to accept an activity, ENs should use the NMBA’s decision-making framework. Before taking on a task, ask yourself:
✓ Is it within the scope of practice of enrolled nurses?
✓ Am I educated, competent and confident to do it?
✓ Is it authorised by my employer’s policies and relevant laws?
✓ Is appropriate RN supervision available?
If the answer to any question is no, consult the RN before going ahead.
How Enrolled Nurses Contribute to Health and Wellbeing
Student assessments often ask how ENs contribute to people’s health and wellness. Four key ways stand out:
- Health promotion: encouraging mobility, hydration, nutrition and healthy routines.
- Early recognition: noticing small changes in a person’s condition and reporting them before they become serious.
- Supporting independence: helping people do as much as they can for themselves, in line with Standard 6.
- Emotional and social support: building trust, listening and helping people stay connected with family and community.
Are the Enrolled Nurse Standards for Practice Changing?
Yes, a review is under way. In January 2026, the NMBA opened public consultation on revised Enrolled Nurse Standards for Practice and Registered Nurse Standards for Practice. Professional bodies, including the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, have made submissions.
In March 2025, the NMBA also adopted the National Scheme definition of cultural safety, replacing the earlier definition used in its standards.
Until the NMBA publishes and commences any revised standards, the 2016 Enrolled Nurse Standards for Practice continue to apply. ENs and students should check the NMBA website regularly for updates, and education providers will update Diploma of Nursing materials once any new standards are confirmed.
Meeting the Standards Every Year
ENs confirm when renewing their registration each year that they meet the NMBA’s registration standards. This includes completing at least 20 hours of continuing professional development each registration year, maintaining recency of practice and holding professional indemnity insurance.
A simple way to stay on track is to keep a CPD record that links your learning to specific standards. For example, a medication safety module supports Standards 1 and 9, while a wound care workshop supports Standards 6 and 8.
Common Challenges for Enrolled Nurses
Unclear delegation. If a task is delegated without enough information, ask the RN for clarification before starting. Standards 3 and 5 support you to do this.
Heavy workloads. When time is short, prioritise safety, communicate early with the RN and document what has and has not been completed.
Changing roles across workplaces. Scope can differ between a hospital, community service and aged care home. Check local policies and position descriptions whenever you start somewhere new.
Keeping up to date. Clinical guidelines change often. Set aside regular time for learning, and use reflective practice to link what you learn back to the standards.
Nursing at Superior Care Group
Superior Care Group is a family-owned aged care provider that has cared for older Queenslanders for over 45 years. At Wellington Park in Wellington Point and Merrimac Park on the Gold Coast, enrolled nurses work alongside Registered Nurses and care staff to deliver nursing services, palliative care and respite care for our residents. If you are an EN or RN looking for a rewarding role in aged care, we would like to hear from you. You may also find our guide for the overseas registered nurse in Australia useful.
Build your nursing career in aged care
Wellington Park (07) 3822 1876 · Merrimac Park (07) 5618 1111
