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 decision, confirmed to local media in mid-February 2026, leaves prospective students in limbo and raises questions about capacity, accreditation, and the sustainability of nursing education amid Australia's ongoing workforce crisis.

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. However, rapid growth in student numbers—jumping from 696 new nursing students in 2022 to 1,169 in 2024—has reportedly overloaded the system, prompting this temporary freeze.

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. Now, with no new intakes for the first half of 2026, the focus shifts to understanding the root causes and broader implications.

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." They assured that existing and graduating students are unaffected and are "working towards confirming whether a Semester 2 intake in 2026 is possible," with updates forthcoming.

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. Normally accommodating around 450 WA students per semester, the surge strained resources, including hospital placements which have been scarce since COVID-19 workforce cuts.

ANMAC confirms the Bachelor of Nursing remains accredited but is under routine risk-based review, potentially imposing conditions or extra reporting. No withdrawal of accreditation has occurred, but the timing aligns with concerns over placement capacity.

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. Nationally, health courses dominate 2026 university preferences, with undergraduate enrolments hitting record highs at 746,369 domestically.

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. The Department of Health anticipates demand outstripping supply medium-to-long term.

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." The National Student Ombudsman received one formal complaint, stressing timely transparency and alternatives.

• Delayed career starts for eager entrants amid nursing job booms.
• Forced reapplications to competitors like Curtin or ECU, many oversubscribed.
• 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.

Photo by bruce ma on Unsplash

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. Aged care alone forecasts 6,000 shortages due to minimum staffing rules.

In WA, Country Health Service welcomes record 1,200 nursing/midwifery graduates in 2026, yet utilisation lags—36% of primary health care nurses underused. Midwifery faces parallel constraints from placement limits.

For more on career paths in Australian healthcare, check our resources.

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. Over-enrolment risks non-compliance, e.g., insufficient supervision ratios.

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.
• Edith Cowan University (ECU): BSc Nursing oversubscribed Sem 1 but competitive entry.
• Murdoch University: Bachelor of Nursing, Feb/July intakes at Mandurah/South Street.

Consider university jobs in WA or higher ed career advice for transitions. Postgraduate midwifery available at multiple sites.

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.

Photo by 0xk on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Recovery, Reforms, and Opportunities

Semester 2 2026 intake possible; long-term, expect capacity builds like new facilities. National reforms via Universities Accord aim to align enrolments with needs.

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.