• Charles Sturt University in Dubbo hosts TAFE NSW Diploma and TVET secondary students and TVET secondary school students to experience its nursing facilities and offerings
• Students toured the nursing simulation area and laboratories, and experienced practical, hands-on demonstrations with course experts
• The University has partnered with TAFE NSW to facilitate a pipeline of future nurses through accreditation of previous study

Charles Sturt University is taking decisive action to address the critical shortage of healthcare professionals in regional Australia, with its Dubbo campus playing a central role in this mission.

To expand the regional pipeline of nurses, Charles Sturt has partnered with TAFE NSW to engage both Diploma of Nursing students and TVET secondary school students from the Dubbo region.

This week these students were invited to tour the University’s nursing facilities, participate in practical demonstrations and connect with academic staff.

This visit highlighted the pathway for these students into the Charles Sturt Bachelor of Nursing course and, from there, into regional Australia’s healthcare workforce.

Australia faces a projected shortfall of over 70,000 nurses by 2035, with regional, rural and remote communities expected to be most affected.

In 2025, Charles Sturt welcomed more than 8,500 new students, with the Bachelor of Nursing being the most popular undergraduate course for on-campus students. Charles Sturt’s Dubbo campus has 86 students enrolled in its Bachelor of Nursing course.

Head of School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences, Professor Kerryn Butler-Henderson, said Charles Sturt continues to be a leader in regional education, helping shape the future of healthcare in western NSW and across regional Australia.

“Our goal is to build a sustainable, skilled healthcare workforce for Dubbo and the wider region,” Professor Butler-Henderson said.

“By partnering with TAFE and other stakeholders, we’re creating real opportunities for students and real solutions for regional healthcare.

“Our Dubbo campus offers state-of-the-art nursing simulation labs and clinical training facilities which ensure our graduates have the skills and knowledge to make an impact in the modern healthcare system.”

Students studying nursing at Charles Sturt may also be eligible for the NSW Tertiary Health Study Subsidy, offering up to $12,000 in support for those who commit to working with NSW Health after graduation.

The leading causes of death in regional Australia largely mirror national trends but are often exacerbated by limited access to healthcare services and higher rates of chronic disease.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and the National Rural Health Alliance, the most prevalent chronic conditions in regional communities include coronary heart disease, dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease), anxiety and depression, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes.

Charles Sturt’s collaboration with TAFE NSW, Local Health Districts, government and private providers is designed to combat this crisis by training students to practice as registered nurses in regional areas upon graduation.