Notre Dame university halts new nursing student enrolments for another year

• The University of Notre Dame Australia will pause new nursing student enrolments for another year, extending an earlier suspension due to placement shortages and capacity constraints.
• The decision highlights ongoing pressure on clinical training availability, with limited hospital placements restricting how many students can be properly trained.
• Critics warn the move could worsen Australia’s nursing workforce shortages, while the university says it is working toward a sustainable long-term solution.

The University of Notre Dame Australia will not take new students for its nursing program for another year, after initially cancelling new applications for six months.

In a letter sent to staff, seen by the ABC, the university said its popular Bachelor of Nursing program, which usually attracts hundreds of students, had been “oversubscribed in recent years”.

“We have been working to rebalance enrolments across the program within accredited program capacity,” the letter said.

“All affected students are being offered tailored support and advice.”

Some students had enrolled in health science units after the program was cancelled for the first semester of 2026, in the hope of enrolling for the second semester.

One student who contacted the ABC said they were “devastated” by the news, and felt as though they had “wasted a year of life” at the university.

In a statement, Notre Dame University said students remained their priority.

“We will continue to deliver the highest quality of education and practical experiences for them,” the university said.

“The University remains fully committed to delivering excellent nursing education into the future and expects more than 1,000 nursing students to have graduated during 2026 and 2027, …

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Original article and photo by "ABC News"