Canberra has two universities offering nursing degrees, both in the QS world rankings. This guide compares and reviews them.
Imagine studying nursing in Australia’s capital, with placements at Canberra Hospital and in surrounding regional NSW. The ACT is small, so the choice comes down to two very different universities.
How we ranked these schools
Australia has no single official ranking of nursing schools, so we combined two things. First, schools in the ACT that appear in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for nursing are placed at the top, in QS order. Second, we ranked the other programmes approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and accredited by ANMAC on the range of entry routes they offer, the strength of the wider institution and the clinical training they can provide. Every programme on this list leads to registration as a nurse.
Canberra and ACT nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | School | Location | Nursing degree options | QS Nursing 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Catholic University (ACU) | Canberra | Bachelor of Nursing | 51–100 |
| 2 | University of Canberra | Canberra | Bachelor of Nursing | 151–225 |
Canberra nursing schools reviewed
1. Australian Catholic University (ACU)
ACU is in the world’s top 100 for nursing, and its Canberra campus offers the same degree in a small, close-knit setting.
- Degree options: Bachelor of Nursing
- World ranking: 51–100 in the world for nursing (QS 2026)
- Best for: students who want a small campus within a large national university
2. University of Canberra
The University of Canberra is the ACT’s main health sciences university and sits next to the University of Canberra Hospital, a public rehabilitation hospital on campus.
- Degree options: Bachelor of Nursing
- World ranking: 151–225 in the world for nursing (QS 2026)
- Best for: students who want a dedicated health campus in Canberra
What does nursing school cost in the ACT?
Domestic students in a Commonwealth supported place pay a student contribution of about A$4,738 a year for nursing in 2026, which can be deferred through a HECS-HELP loan. Since July 2025, eligible nursing students can also receive the Commonwealth Prac Payment, about A$330 a week, during mandatory clinical placements (it is means-tested). International students pay full fees, often more than A$35,000 a year, so check each university’s fee page.
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- Approval: make sure the degree is an NMBA-approved programme accredited by ANMAC, so you can register with the NMBA through Ahpra when you graduate.
- Registration: Australian graduates of approved programmes don’t sit a separate national licensing exam, but they must meet the NMBA’s registration standards, including English language skills.
- Clinical placements: where students train, and whether you may be placed in rural areas.
- Campus and study mode: some universities offer regional campuses, online study or accelerated entry for graduates.
- Admission: entry scores (ATAR) and pathways vary by campus, so apply to more than one.
Your next step: Shortlist the schools that suit you, then check each one’s entry requirements, campus options and application deadlines on its website.
Related: Work as a nurse in Australia and New Zealand · Nurse salaries by country
Sources: QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 (Nursing), Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council, Australian Government Department of Education (student contribution amounts and Commonwealth Prac Payment), university websites. Programmes and fees change; always confirm with the university.
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