Australian College of Nursing


The Australian College of Nursing is a professional organisation and education provider. It was formed in 2012 by the amalgamation of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia, and The College of Nursing.

Early history

The New South Wales College of Nursing was established in January 1949.
In 1981 the New South Wales College of Nursing purchased Hereford House, an historic house in the Sydney suburb of, New South Wales.
Katrina Zepps was an administrator in the 1960s who received an MBE for her work at the College.

Current status

It is registered as a Higher Education Institution with a suite of accredited Graduate Certificate programs. This accreditation under Higher Education Legislation recognises the College as a quality provider of postgraduate education and the College courses as equal to those offered by universities under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Sponsored an International Travelling Scholar Seminar Series in 2003 and 2005. Scholars were Dr Naeema Al-Gasseer, World Health Organisation Senior Scientist for Nursing and Midwifery and Professor Anne Marie Rafferty, Dean at Kings College London.
Holds an Oration each year at which new fellows are inducted. A renowned Australian or international nurse is the orator.
Is affiliated with large healthcare organisations and nursing specialty groups across Australia. It also works in partnership with over 20 universities nationally and internationally to conduct graduate programs and is represented on national and state committees and working parties.
The College produces a quarterly magazine, The Hive, which provides articles on clinical topics, health issues of concern to nurses, opinion pieces and other information of interest.
It has published several books documenting its own history as well as that of nursing in Australia.