Power of Nurses in a Changing World
Countdown to 2026 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 across the country and around the globe. The 2026 NNF will take place from Thursday 6 – Friday 7 August 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
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. With a strong line up of speakers, the forum sessions will focus on workforce, innovation and implementation, sustainability, clinical governance as well as wellbeing.
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.
Our sponsors
Platinum Partner
Gold Partner, Gala Dinner
Gold Partner, President’s Welcome Reception
Silver Partner, Coffee Carts
Silver Partner, Satchels
Silver Partner, Lanyard
Want to partner with us?
Sponsorship and exhibition enquiries
e: events@acn.edu.au
t: 0431 749 151
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.
Ticket sales have now reached capacity. If you are interested in being placed on a waiting list, please access the button below. We will reach out to you if vacancies become available.
Full registration (two days)
- Entry to forum plenary and concurrent sessions
- Access to the exhibition
- Lunch, and morning and afternoon teas
- One (1) ticket to the gala dinner (Thursday)
One day registration
- Entry to forum plenary and concurrent sessions (on the designated day only)
- Access to the exhibition (on the designated day only)
- Lunch, morning and afternoon tea (on the designated day only)
- Does not include any social events. Additional tickets can be purchased separately.
Student/Retired member registration
- Entry to forum plenary and concurrent sessions
- Access to the exhibition
- Lunch and morning and afternoon tea
- One (1) ticket to the gala dinner (Thursday)
More information
| Standard price | |
|---|---|
| Members | |
| ACN Member full registration | $975 |
| Member ONE day registration | $550 |
| Retired Member & Fellow full registration | $700 |
| Student | |
| Student (Undergraduate) full registration | $600 |
| Non-members | |
| Non-member full registration | $1,450 |
| Non-member ONE day registration | $650 |
| Additional tickets | |
| Exhibitor/Sponsor additional registration (includes sessions, excludes dinner) | $800 |
| Gala dinner (additional ticket) | $220 |
| Presidents welcome reception (members) | $60 |
| Presidents welcome reception (non-members) | $100 |
Program
The program for the 2026 NNF is now available.
Delegates can look forward to an engaging and diverse lineup of speakers, including an international keynote address.
Under the theme Power of Nurses in a Changing World, this year’s NNF features four dynamic streams — Workforce, Sustainability, Clinical Governance, and Innovation and Implementation — offering practical insights, leadership development, and real-world solutions to strengthen nursing practice and help shape the future of healthcare. The program also includes a new rapid-fire session focused on wellbeing.
We are also delighted to highlight this year’s oration, to be delivered by Dr Janine Mohamed, Deputy CEO, NDIS. This will be followed by the Fellowship Ceremony and the Trailblazers Awards, celebrating outstanding contributions to nursing.
ACN looks forward to welcoming you to this year’s forum.
Venue – Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is conveniently located within the city centre and is close to all city centre services, attractions and amenities that Melbourne has to offer. It’s only 25km from Melbourne Airport and easily accessible by car, taxi and public transport at any time of the day.
Accessibility
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) 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. Learn more about MCEC accessibility here
Address: 1 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf VIC 3006
Phone: (03) 9235 8000
Website: www.mcec.com.au
Location – Melbourne
The capital of Victoria, Melbourne, is Australia’s largest capital city renowned for its thriving arts, sport, food and coffee scenes and its warm and welcoming multicultural community. Students can also choose to live in a country or rural setting, with regional cities boasting spectacular natural beauty, welcoming communities, generous post study work rights and a relaxed lifestyle.
Climate
In August 2026, expect Melbourne’s climate to be typically cold, with average daytime highs around (14 degree C) and nighttime lows near (6 degree C).
Accommodation
Australian College of Nursing has partnered with local hotels to provide discounted accommodation to forum delegates. ACN will not be booking accommodation on delegates behalf. Please follow the instructions below to book accommodation with the providers directly.
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 Melbourne.
Parking
Parking is available at MCEC. More info here
Car rental
- Hertz: 13 30 39
- Thrifty: 13 61 39
- Dollar Car Rental: 1800 501 934
Exhibitors
Explore pre-Forum events
History Faculty - The power of history in navigating a changing world
This History Faculty event will bring together nursing scholars to share research, strengthen connections, and examine the role of history in shaping the profession through showcase presentations and a panel discussion on embedding history into contemporary nursing practice.
Date/time: 12pm – 3pm AEST, Wednesday, 5 August 2026
Location: Australian Nurses Memorial Centre
Cost: Free
The Bullwinkel Project documentary
Join us for a screening of The Bullwinkel Project, a documentary by filmmaker Ashley Starkey, recognising support for commemorating Vivian Bullwinkel and the Radji Beach nurses, while highlighting Australia’s nursing history and the impact of the ACN Foundation’s Bullwinkel Project and Scholars program.
Date/time: 3pm – 4:30pm AEST, Wednesday, 5 August 2026
Location: Australian Nurses Memorial Centre
Cost: Free
Law and Regulation Faculty - When sparks turn into flames: Social media use in nursing
The Law and Regulation Faculty event explores opportunities and risks of social media in nursing, providing guidance aligned with AHPRA through presentations, case discussions, and a major case to help nurses maintain professionalism and public trust online.
Date/time: 1pm – 4pm AEST, Wednesday, 5 August 2026
Location: Melbourne CBD venue TBC
Cost: Free
Clinical Educators Masterclass
Dive deep into cutting-edge strategies that align with the unique needs of adult learners. Discover how to tailor your teaching approach to engage and empower your students, ensuring that every lesson is relevant, practical, and impactful.
Date/time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm AEST, Wednesday, 5 August 2026
Location: Karstens, 123 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Cost: $400
Aged Care Nursing Faculty - Connecting and advancing aged care nursing practice
The Aged Care Nursing Faculty event brings members together to share expertise, discuss policy, practice and research updates, explore challenges through a panel, and build connections through interactive networking to strengthen outcomes for older people.
Date/time: 1pm – 4pm AEST, Wednesday, 5 August 2026
Location: Melbourne CBD venue TBC
Cost: Free
Next Gen Faculty
Next Gen Faculty event features TED-style talks from nurses sharing transition experiences, followed by panel Q&A and small-group discussions, concluding with key insights and future-focused conversation to inspire, connect and empower early-career nurses navigating evolving healthcare roles today and beyond.
Date/time: 1pm – 4pm AEST, Wednesday, 5 August 2026
Location: Federation University – City Campus, Room G05, 470 Bourke Street Melbourne
Cost: Free
Contact us
The National Nursing Forum is organised by the ACN Events team. For further information or assistance, please contact us at:
t: 0431 749 151
e: events@acn.edu.au
