The University of Notre Dame Australia has confirmed it has temporarily paused new enrolments into its Bachelor of Nursing program.
Recent coverage, including by ABC News, highlighted the sudden halt in new nursing enrolments and raised questions about the reasons behind the move. While the headlines understandably focused on the pause itself, Notre Dame’s statement to the Koala News paints a more measured picture than that of what has been reported in some media outlets.
According to the University, the Bachelor of Nursing program “continues to be in high demand and has been oversubscribed in recent years.” The decision to pause new intakes forms part of a deliberate review process to calibrate student numbers across 2025 and 2026 to ensure enrolments remain aligned with overall program capacity.
Notre Dame has been explicit on one key point: the Bachelor of Nursing program remains accredited.
Only new enrolments have been temporarily paused. Current students, graduating cohorts and those enrolled in other programs within the School of Nursing and Midwifery are unaffected.
In an environment where enrolment suspensions can quickly be interpreted as compliance failures, the University’s clarification is significant. There has been no indication of accreditation loss.
Instead, the University says the move reflects responsible growth management in a program that has seen sustained oversubscription.
Notre Dame’s statement emphasises its “longstanding commitment to nursing education and to preparing job-ready graduates for the healthcare workforce.” Calibrating intake levels ensures that commitment is upheld.
Media Reporting Matters
When high-demand programs pause new intakes, headlines travel fast. In the current higher education climate, marked by regulatory scrutiny and sector volatility, nuance can easily be lost.
Reporting accurately on distinctions such as “pause on new enrolments” versus “program closure” or “accreditation issues” is critical for both institutions providing programs and students who may choose to apply to them.
Notre Dame says it continues to provide prospective students with regular updates regarding future intake arrangements and support for alternative study pathways.
The School of Nursing and Midwifery’s leadership, academic staff and professional teams are continuing to engage with key stakeholders as part of the intake review.
A Broader Sector Signal?
The development also underscores a broader tension in Australian higher education. Demand for nursing remains strong, particularly as governments grapple with workforce shortages. At the same time, universities must balance growth with quality assurance and operational limits.
Notre Dame’s decision suggests a willingness to slow intake rather than stretch capacity.
For students and the sector alike, the message is clear: the program remains accredited and operational. The pause applies only to new enrolments while intake levels are recalibrated.
The statement received from Notre Dame is as follows:
The University of Notre Dame Australia has a longstanding commitment to nursing education and to preparing job-ready graduates for the healthcare workforce.
The University’s Bachelor of Nursing program continues to be in high demand and has been oversubscribed in recent years. In response, the School of Nursing and Midwifery has been reviewing and calibrating student intake levels across 2025/2026 to ensure enrolments remain aligned with overall program capacity. Current and graduating student cohorts, as well as students in other programs offered by the school, are unaffected.
The University confirms that the Bachelor of Nursing program is accredited. Only new enrolments have been temporarily paused. The University continues to provide prospective students with regular and timely updates on future intake arrangements and offer support to explore alternative study options.
The School of Nursing and Midwifery, its leadership, academic staff, and professional teams continue to work collaboratively and engage with key stakeholders.
