More than 1,000 nurses are gathering in Melbourne, including nursing leaders from across the country and the world, for Australia’s premier nursing conference, the Australian College of Nursing National Nursing Forum.
With the healthcare sector under sustained pressure from the growing burden of chronic disease, the ageing population, and workforce challenges, the Forum presents an opportunity to examine nursing’s powerful and evolving role in improving the health and wellbeing of all Australians.
“There is no other section of the healthcare workforce that touches lives as frequently as nurses do,” said ACN Chief Executive Officer, Adjunct Professor Kathryn Zeitz FACN.
“With the theme Power of Nurses in a Changing World, this year’s forum will explore and highlight how nurses are shaping the future of health care.
“Featuring a strong line-up of speakers, the forum sessions will focus on workforce, innovation and implementation, sustainability, clinical governance, and wellbeing.”
The conference will be addressed by the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Mark Butler MP, and Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Anne Ruston, with a closing keynote from the Founding Director of Go Gentle Australia, Andrew Denton.
Minister Butler will also announce the recipient of the Health Minister’s Award for Nursing Trailblazers 2026 at a Gala Dinner on Thursday evening.
EVENT DETAILS: National Nursing Forum | 6–7 August | Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Day one – Thursday 6 August
- Ministerial address: The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Ageing
- International keynote: Dr Liz Manning FCNA (NZ), Workforce Lead – Nursing, Health New Zealand
- Oration: Adjunct Professor Dr Janine Mohamed, Deputy CEO First Nations, National Disability Insurance Agency
Day two – Friday 7 August
- Opening address: Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care
- Keynote: Adjunct Professor Alison McMillan PSM, Commonwealth Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer
- Closing keynote: Andrew Denton, Founding Director, Go Gentle Australia
