Courage, Compassion, Connection – Empowering Nurses for the Future
Countdown to 2025 National Nursing Forum
About the National Nursing Forum
The National Nursing Forum (NNF) is the Australian College of Nursing’s signature annual leadership and educational event bringing together nurses, students and other health professionals from around the country and across the globe. The 2025 NNF will take place from Wednesday 23 – Friday 25 July 2025 at the National Convention Centre Canberra.
The theme Courage, Compassion, Connection – Empowering Nurses for the Future, this year’s forum will explore and highlight how nurses are shaping the future of health care. With a strong line up of speakers, the forum sessions will focus on workforce, digital health, planetary health and clinical innovations.
Attendees will enjoy a full and rich forum experience with face-to-face presentations and interactions with the nursing network, the opportunity to connect with valuable sponsors and exhibitors to learn about the latest products, and more.
Want to partner with us?
Sponsorship and exhibition enquiries
Australian Conference & Event Organisers
e: acn@aceo.net.au
t: 0432 651 588
Sponsors
The Australian College of Nursing’s National Nursing Forum is proudly supported by our Platinum Partner HESTA
ACN would also like to thank the support of the following partners
Gold Partner – Gala Dinner
Gold Partner – Networking Reception
Silver Partner – Lanyards
Silver Partner – Stream Session
Bronze Partner – Forum App
Bronze Partner – Registration Kiosk
Registrations
All participants are required to register to attend. Please read the following information carefully before completing your registration. Fees are in Australian Dollars and inclusive of GST. All bookings must be paid for at the time of registration by credit card.
| Early bird Paid on or before Monday 30 June 2025 | Standard Paid on or after Tuesday 1 July 2025 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Members | ||
| ACN Member full registration | $925 | $1,000 |
| Member ONE day registration | $565 | $565 |
| Member TWO day registration | $800 | $800 |
| Retired Member & Fellow full registration | $600 | $600 |
| Member breakfast | $50 | $50 |
| Student | ||
| Student (Undergraduate) full registration | $600 | $600 |
| Non-members | ||
| Non-member full registration | $1,175 | $1,300 |
| Non-member ONE day registration | $685 | $685 |
| Non-member TWO day registration | $915 | $915 |
| Non-member breakfast | $60 | $60 |
| Additional tickets | ||
| Exhibitor/Sponsor additional registration (excluding dinner) | $600 | $600 |
| Gala dinner (additional ticket) | $220 | $220 |
| Networking drinks reception (additional ticket) | $80 | $80 |
Group bookings
For groups of five (5) or more, please follow this link to register your group. After completing your bookings, you will receive an invoice via email. Payment is required within 14 days of the invoice issuance.
Full registration (3 days)
- Entry to Forum plenary and concurrent sessions
- Access to the Exhibition
- Lunch, and morning and afternoon teas
- One (1) ticket to the Networking Drinks Reception (Wednesday)
- One (1) ticket to the Gala Dinner (Thursday)
One and Two-Day registration includes:
- Entry to Forum plenary and concurrent sessions (on the designated day(s) only)
- Access to the Exhibition (on the designated day(s) only)
- Lunch, morning and afternoon tea (on the designated day(s) only)
- One (1) ticket to the Networking Drinks Reception (Wednesday one-day registration)
- One (1) ticket to the Networking Drinks Reception (Wednesday and Thursday two-day registration only)
Student registration includes:
- Entry to Forum plenary and concurrent sessions
- Access to the Exhibition
- Lunch and morning and afternoon tea
- One (1) ticket to the Networking Drinks Reception (Wednesday)
- One (1) ticket to the Gala Dinner (Thursday)
| ACN Member full registration | $615 | |
| Retired Member & Fellow full registration | $615 | |
| Student (Undergraduate) full registration | $615 | |
| Non-member full registration | $650 | |
Virtual registration includes:
- Access to the Forum Virtual Platform to view sessions available live and on-demand
- Access to exhibitor information
- Access to the Forum App
More information
21 Hearts | Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke
21 Hearts is a powerful live theatre performance by THEATRE 180, telling the true story of Vivian Bullwinkel and the Australian nurses of the Vyner Brooke. Written by Jenny Davis and directed by Stuart Halusz, the production honours the extraordinary courage, humour and resilience of the women who faced unthinkable adversity during WWII. After surviving the bombing of their ship and days at sea, 21 nurses were brutally executed on Radji Beach, with Bullwinkel as the sole survivor. Featuring six of WA’s leading actors, this moving tribute brings voice to those silenced by war, celebrating strength, hope and the enduring spirit of sisterhood.
This special performance will be held on the first night of the National Nursing Forum 2025.
Date: Wednesday 23 July 2025
Time: 7:30 PM AEST
Venue: Australian War Memorial Theatre
Address: Treloar Crescent, Campbell ACT 2612
Cost: $59
Program
The full program for the 2025 National Nursing Forum (NNF) is now available here.
Delegates can also look forward to a powerful international panel discussion, Combating Racism in Nursing – A Tri-Nations Perspective, bringing together leaders from Australia, New Zealand, and Wales.
Themed Courage, Compassion, Connection – Empowering Nurses for the Future, the NNF features four dynamic streams — Workforce, Digital Health, Planetary Health, and Clinical Innovation — offering practical insights, leadership development, and real-world solutions to strengthen nursing practice and shape the future of health care.
Don’t miss out on this year’s oration which will be delivered by Adjunct Professor Debra Thoms FACN (DLF) titled Dreams, Courage and Legacy followed by the Trailblazers Awards and Fellowship Ceremony, celebrating outstanding contributions to nursing.
Speakers
Meet the inspiring keynote speakers headlining our event.
Karen Cook
Professor Alison McMillan MACN PSM
Veronica Casey FACN AM
Angela Ryan FACN
Aletha Ward FACN
Lucy Osborn FACN
Adjunct Professor Karrie Long
Professor Sabina Knight AM FACN
Sue Tranka
Lorraine Hetaraka
Jason Mills FACN
Lorna Moxham FACN
Jana Pittman
Venue – National Convention Centre Canberra
The National Convention Centre Canberra (NCCC) is conveniently located within the city centre and is close to all city centre services, attractions and amenities that Canberra has to offer. It’s only 7km from Canberra Airport and easily accessible by car, taxi and public transport at any time of the day.
Accessibility
The National Convention Centre Canberra is a fully accessible venue, delivering the high-quality services and facilities you have come to expect with a seamless service and 100% customer focus. More information here
Address: 31 Constitution Avenue, Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: (02) 6276 5200
Website: nccc.com.au
Location – Canberra
The meeting place of Australia
As the custodian of the Australian story through our national institutions, and the country’s political epicentre with Federal Government departments and agencies based in Canberra, our capital truly is ‘the meeting place of the nation’. This is where key decision makers meet, and brilliant possibilities come to life. Learn more
Climate
Winter in Canberra is a time to rest and reflect, with crisp mornings and blue skies. Average temperatures range from 1–12°C (33.8–53.6°F), with temperatures dropping below 0°C at night.
Plan with our information on temperature and rainfall. Click here for further information on what to expect in July.
Accommodation
aceo has arranged special rates at a number of hotels/apartments within walking distance to the National Convention Centre Canberra – see accommodation options here
Getting here
Airport transfers and public transport
Explore airport transfers and public transport options—click here for essential travel information to help you get around Canberra.
Parking
Convenient, secure, underground car parking is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the National Convention Centre Canberra.
- Casual Parking – Monday to Friday
- 0-2 hours: $8.00
- 0-4 hours: $13.50
- Full day rate (up to 10 hours): $22.00
- Entry after 5pm with exit before 5am: $7.50
- Casual Parking – Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: $7.50 (Flat rate)
Car rental
- Hertz: 13 30 39
- Thrifty: 13 61 39
- Dollar Car Rental: 1800 501 934
Registrations
All participants are required to register to attend. Please read the following information carefully before completing your registration. Fees are in Australian Dollars and inclusive of GST. All bookings must be paid for at the time of registration by credit card.
| Early bird Paid on or before Monday 30 June 2025 | Standard Paid on or after Tuesday 1 July 2025 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Members | ||
| ACN Member full registration | $925 | $1,000 |
| Member ONE day registration | $565 | $565 |
| Member TWO day registration | $800 | $800 |
| Retired Member & Fellow full registration | $600 | $600 |
| Member breakfast | $50 | $50 |
| Student | ||
| Student (Undergraduate) full registration | $600 | $600 |
| Non-members | ||
| Non-member full registration | $1,175 | $1,300 |
| Non-member ONE day registration | $685 | $685 |
| Non-member TWO day registration | $915 | $915 |
| Non-member breakfast | $60 | $60 |
| Additional tickets | ||
| Exhibitor/Sponsor additional registration (excluding dinner) | $600 | $600 |
| Gala dinner (additional ticket) | $220 | $220 |
| Networking drinks reception (additional ticket) | $80 | $80 |
Group bookings
For groups of five (5) or more, please follow this link (opening soon) to register your group. After completing your bookings, you will receive an invoice via email. Payment is required within 14 days of the invoice issuance.
Full registration (3 days)
- Entry to Forum plenary and concurrent sessions
- Access to the Exhibition
- Lunch, and morning and afternoon teas
- One (1) ticket to the Networking Drinks Reception (Wednesday)
- One (1) ticket to the Gala Dinner (Thursday)
One and Two-Day registration includes:
- Entry to Forum plenary and concurrent sessions (on the designated day(s) only)
- Access to the Exhibition (on the designated day(s) only)
- Lunch, morning and afternoon tea (on the designated day(s) only)
- One (1) ticket to the Networking Drinks Reception (Wednesday one-day registration)
- One (1) ticket to the Networking Drinks Reception (Wednesday and Thursday two-day registration only)
Student registration includes:
- Entry to Forum plenary and concurrent sessions
- Access to the Exhibition
- Lunch and morning and afternoon tea
- One (1) ticket to the Networking Drinks Reception (Wednesday)
- One (1) ticket to the Gala Dinner (Thursday)
| ACN Member full registration | $615 | |
| Retired Member & Fellow full registration | $615 | |
| Student (Undergraduate) full registration | $615 | |
| Non-member full registration | $650 | |
Virtual registration includes:
- Access to the Forum Virtual Platform to view sessions available live and on-demand
- Access to exhibitor information
- Access to the Forum App
More information
21 Hearts | Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke
21 Hearts is a powerful live theatre performance by THEATRE 180, telling the true story of Vivian Bullwinkel and the Australian nurses of the Vyner Brooke. Written by Jenny Davis and directed by Stuart Halusz, the production honours the extraordinary courage, humour and resilience of the women who faced unthinkable adversity during WWII. After surviving the bombing of their ship and days at sea, 21 nurses were brutally executed on Radji Beach, with Bullwinkel as the sole survivor. Featuring six of WA’s leading actors, this moving tribute brings voice to those silenced by war, celebrating strength, hope and the enduring spirit of sisterhood.
This special performance will be held on the first night of the National Nursing Forum 2025.
Date: Wednesday 23 July 2025
Time: 7:30 PM AEST
Venue: Australian War Memorial Theatre
Address: Treloar Crescent, Campbell ACT 2612
Cost: $59
Contact us
The National Nursing Forum is organised with the assistance of Australian Conference and Event Organisers (aceo). For further information or assistance, please contact the Forum Office:
t: 0432 651 588
e: acn@aceo.net.au
