Mel,
Not going to comment on the payment stuff, cos eeryone else has told you...
But i can comment on the Nursing stuff.
When i did my training, i managed to work a fair bit around my lectures, depends what he wants to do... but in 2nd year i was working 3 shifts in a nursing home as well as studying... granted i didnt have a family to look after, but it certianly helped cash wise.

Another option could possibly be doing div 2 initially so that he will get credits towards div 1 and then he can work as a div 2 while studying and will have to do less subjects so could do more hours at work.
In Vic, you can do Div 2 in one year or 2 years as part of a sponsorship, so you are working through that time too - if that makes sense...
Just throwing in other options!

Now with national registration it will be better in that once you are qualified he (and then you) will be able to work anywhere in Aust without having to apply for a new registration - makes so much more sense!

Hope this helps