• Charles Sturt celebrates 20 years of nursing graduates in Albury-Wodonga
• An event will be held on Tuesday 9 September, to be attended by graduates, guest speakers and dignitaries
• Leader of the Australian Liberal Party, and Charles Sturt alumna, Ms Sussan Ley will attend

Charles Sturt University is proud to celebrate 20 years of nursing education at its Albury-Wodonga campus, marking two decades of dedication to training the healthcare professionals who serve communities across regional Australia.

To commemorate this milestone, the University will host a special event attended by Charles Sturt alumna and Leader of the Australian Liberal Party, The Hon. Sussan Ley, MP, who began her own journey in public service after studying at Charles Sturt.

Also attending will be Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines, Albury City Council Mayor Councillor Kevin Mack, and Albury-Wodonga Health CEO Mr Bill Appleby as well as representatives from GoTAFE, Wodonga TAFE, TAFE NSW, Albury-Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service and Murrumbidgee Local Health District.

Across all Charles Sturt campuses more than 7,600 nursing students have graduated since 1994; 698 of these have studied a Bachelor of Nursing at the Albury-Wodonga campus since its introduction in 2005.

This year, Charles Sturt has more than 3,150 students studying the Bachelor of Nursing, with 153 of these at Albury-Wodonga.

Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Brown said this is a significant milestone in Albury-Wodonga that further demonstrates Charles Sturt’s contribution to regional healthcare services.

“Charles Sturt University’s almost 700 nursing graduates from the Albury-Wodonga campus since 2005 are not just numbers on a page, they are the backbone of regional healthcare services,” he said.

“Charles Sturt is the largest provider of registered nursing education in regional Australia because we see the value and importance of providing quality nursing education that ensures students are career-ready from the moment they graduate.

“Our graduates have been helping to fill workforce shortages for decades, with more than 70 per cent of our students staying to live and work in the regions after graduation.”

The celebration comes at a critical time for the nursing profession and healthcare in regional Australian communities.

According to the Nursing Supply and Demand Study 2023–2032, Australia faces a shortfall in nursing staff due to an ageing population and rising rates of chronic disease.

The study projects an undersupply of 70,707 full-time equivalent (FTE) nurses by 2035, with approximately 79,473 nurses needed to fill the gap across all sectors.

Head of the Charles Sturt School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences Professor Kerryn Butler-Henderson said Charles Sturt plays a vital role in regional healthcare.

“With more than 7,600 nurses graduating from the Bachelor of Nursing since 1984, Charles Sturt University plays a critical role in addressing the health workforce needs of rural and regional communities,” she said.

“Between 2020 and 2024, approximately 2,000 students graduated from the Bachelor of Nursing, an average of 500 nursing graduates a year.

“We are hoping to increase our ability to support nursing and midwifery students by increasing the funds for the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health Scholarship fund to offer two $5,000 scholarships, instead of two $3,500 scholarships. This will ensure passionate and capable students can complete their studies and go on to serve their communities.”

Over the past 20 years, the number of nursing graduates from the Albury-Wodonga campus has increased by 96 per cent, reflecting the University’s commitment to meeting the growing healthcare needs of the region and beyond.

Charles Sturt is first in Australia for nursing graduate employment, with 93 per cent of undergraduates and 97 per cent of postgraduates employed in full-time work within four months of graduating.

Third-year Bachelor of Nursing student Ms Katelyn McNabb from Christchurch in New Zealand is speaking on the panel at Tuesday’s event.

She was an au pair for two children on her gap year. One of the children had complex needs, including severe asthma, food allergies and reflux.

“Supporting him in his daily care sparked my interest in health and I realised I wanted a career where I could make a real difference in people’s lives through nursing,” she said.

Ms McNabb chose Charles Sturt to study nursing because it offered regional opportunities with smaller classes, meaning she would easily communicate with lecturers and feel supported.

“Local placement opportunities gave me valuable hands-on experience and the availability of scholarships made studying more accessible,” she said.

The event will include reflections from alumni, student showcases and a panel discussion on the future of nursing in regional Australia.