Notre Dame university halts new nursing student enrolments for another year

The University of Notre Dame says there won't be new nursing student intakes for another year. (ABC News: Phoebe Pin)

The University of Notre Dame Australia will not take new students for its nursing program for another year, leaving many students in limbo.

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

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.

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.

"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 told the ABC they were "devastated" by the news. (ABC: Emma Wynne)

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, ready to enter the health workforce."

In its letter to staff, the university acknowledged the decision would be "disappointing" for some students.

"Those students who are currently studying in health sciences that wish to study nursing will be supported in exploring study options at other universities in WA or NSW," the letter said.

"Current students and graduating students in the [Bachelor of Nursing], and all other programs in the school remain unimpacted, and operations continue as usual."

The National Tertiary Education Union had previously said that staff were not given direct explanations about why new intake for the first semester of 2026 had been cancelled, and that some staff believed it was because the course did not meet accreditation standards.

Staff and prospective students say they have been left in the dark about why the university cancelled new nursing and midwifery students in the first semester of 2026.

At the time, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) confi