The Sudden Halt: What Happened at Notre Dame's School of Nursing and Midwifery
In a surprising move that has sent shockwaves through Western Australia's higher education and healthcare sectors, the University of Notre Dame Australia has abruptly cancelled new enrolments into its Bachelor of Nursing and midwifery programs for Semester 1 2026 at the Fremantle campus.
The School of Nursing & Midwifery at Fremantle has long been a cornerstone of the university's offerings, accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and designed to produce registered nurses ready for person-centred care with over 1,000 hours of clinical placements.
This isn't the first hiccup for the program. In 2023, administrative errors meant paperwork for an entire cohort wasn't submitted to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), delaying graduates' registrations and job starts.
University's Official Statement and Internal Dynamics
The University of Notre Dame issued a measured statement emphasising program sustainability: "To sustain the program into the future, the University of Notre Dame has had to take the necessary step of not enrolling new students into the first semester of 2026."
Behind the scenes, staff represented by the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) have been left in the dark. WA NTEU Secretary Scott Fitzgerald described it as a lack of "crisis management and governance," speculating that failure to meet ANMAC standards—particularly around student experience and clinical placements—may be at play.
ANMAC confirms the Bachelor of Nursing remains accredited but is under routine risk-based review, potentially imposing conditions or extra reporting.
Enrolment Surge: From Boom to Bottleneck
Federal policy changes post-2020 slashed fees for nursing degrees while hiking humanities costs, fuelling a boom. Notre Dame's new commencements soared: 696 in 2022, 980 in 2023, and 1,169 in 2024.
This growth, while addressing shortages, overwhelmed infrastructure. Clinical placements—essential for accreditation and comprising four-to-six week blocks twice yearly—are limited by hospital capacity. Post-pandemic reductions exacerbated this, with warnings of nationwide shortages persisting into 2026.
In Western Australia, where nursing demand is acute, this halt contrasts sharply with projections of 70,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) nurse shortfalls by 2035.
Impacts on Stakeholders: Students, Staff, and the Healthcare Pipeline
Prospective students bear the brunt. One high-ATAR applicant, confident of entry, now awaits second-round offers elsewhere, calling the late notice "reprehensible."
- Delayed career starts for eager entrants amid nursing job booms.
- Forced reapplications to competitors like Curtin or ECU, many oversubscribed.
110 - Potential HECS debt implications if preferences shift late.
Staff face uncertainty, with NTEU pushing for clarity on job security and workloads. Existing students continue uninterrupted, prioritised per university assurances.
The ripple effect hits WA healthcare: fewer graduates mean prolonged shortages, especially in regional areas like the Kimberley where Notre Dame placements have been vital.
Australia's Nursing Crisis: Why This Matters Now
Australia grapples with a dire nursing deficit. Projections show 70,707 FTE short by 2035, driven by ageing populations, retirements (60% baby boomers by some estimates), and rising demand.
In WA, Country Health Service welcomes record 1,200 nursing/midwifery graduates in 2026, yet utilisation lags—36% of primary health care nurses underused.
For more on career paths in Australian healthcare, check our resources.
Health Workforce Australia Report (PDF)Regulatory Landscape: ANMAC, AHPRA, and Accreditation Pressures
ANMAC accredits programs against standards covering curriculum, placements, and student support. Notre Dame's is approved, but reviews can impose conditions.
AHPRA handles registrations; past failures highlight admin vulnerabilities. New 2026 funding rules mandate processes for course closures, though this is a pause.
Step-by-step accreditation: Universities self-assess, ANMAC audits sites/placements, approves for 5 years max with extensions possible via performance analysis.
Alternatives for Aspiring Nurses and Midwives in Western Australia
WA offers robust options:
- Curtin University: Bachelor of Science (Nursing), enrolments open 2026, strong clinical focus.
120 - Edith Cowan University (ECU): BSc Nursing oversubscribed Sem 1 but competitive entry.
110 - Murdoch University: Bachelor of Nursing, Feb/July intakes at Mandurah/South Street.
109
Consider university jobs in WA or higher ed career advice for transitions. Postgraduate midwifery available at multiple sites.
Curtin Nursing Program
Post-COVID Placement Challenges and Solutions
Hospitals cut staff during pandemic, slashing placement spots. Students need 800+ supervised hours; shortages force pauses like Notre Dame's.
Solutions: Government investments ($20m retention), transition programs, industry partnerships. WA Country Health boosts rural placements.
| Challenge | Impact | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Placement Shortage | Delayed graduations | Private hospital contracts |
| Staff Overload | Burnout | Nurse Practitioner growth |
| Admin Errors | Registration delays | Digital systems |
Future Outlook: Recovery, Reforms, and Opportunities
Semester 2 2026 intake possible; long-term, expect capacity builds like new facilities.
Actionable insights: Aspiring nurses—apply broadly, consider TAFE pathways to uni. For staff, union advocacy key. Explore faculty positions or rate courses.
Browse Perth higher ed jobs for openings.
Conclusion: Navigating Uncertainty in Nursing Education
Notre Dame's halt underscores tensions between demand and delivery in Australian nursing higher education. With shortages looming, constructive solutions—better placements, transparent governance, diversified intakes—are essential. Prospective students, check higher-ed-jobs, rate-my-professor, and higher-ed-career-advice for guidance. University jobs await qualified pros—post a job today.