Festival of Nursing
When: Thursday, 30 July to Saturday, 1 August 2026
Where: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins
The Festival of Nursing has always been about bringing nurses together. But in 2026, we’re taking it to the next level: it will be bolder and more practical than ever, designed to deliver the CPD every nurse needs. Plus, gain leadership skills and fresh thinking to help shape our profession’s future.
Join us in Melbourne, from Thursday, 30 July to Saturday, 1 August 2026, for three days of education, connection and inspiration – curated by expert nurses for nurses.
Get your ‘Early Bird’ registration now!
(APNA Members save up to $130 on an Early Bird ticket! Not a member yet? Join now for just $27 per month!)
Please note: Your ‘Early Bird’ registration entitles you admission to the 2026 Festival of Nursing, but the following add-ons will be ticketed separately at a later date and will incur an extra cost:
- Workshops
- Social events
- Experiences
What will be different in 2026?
Bigger focus on practical skills: with workshops throughout the three-day program on topics like CPR, ECGs, wound management, chronic conditions management, mental health and leadership.
Deeper streams, better choices: dive into prevention, explore the latest in immunisation across the lifetime or get in-depth with wound solutions.
Future-focused keynotes: from designated RN prescribing to AI in health care, you’ll hear directly from leaders on what’s next for nursing.
Curated by expert nurses: every session is designed for nurses – grounded in real-world practice and relevance.
Whether you’re looking to refresh your knowledge, master new clinical skills or connect with fellow nurses shaping the future, the Festival of Nursing 2026 is the place to be.
Elevating nurses, transforming care.
Don’t miss it!
Ticket Pricing
If you have any questions or need assistance with your registration, please reach out to APNA's conference coordination partner, Events Mate at info@eventsmate.com.au or on 1300 606 707.
Buy Tickets
Watch highlights from past years
Need assistance to fund your Festival ticket?
Letter to your manager:
You can copy the below for a draft letter to send straight to your manager, click 'compose email' to do copy this into your email client
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to request your support to attend the Festival of Nursing 2026, hosted by the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA). This annual event is Australia’s leading education-focused conference for primary health care nurses, designed to strengthen clinical knowledge, build leadership skills, and provide hands-on practical training.
The 2026 program includes:
- keynotes on nurse-led care, prescribing, and the future of AI in health
- conference streams covering prevention, immunisation, wound care, chronic conditions management, and more
- skills-based workshops offering practical, hands-on learning directly applicable to daily practice
- opportunities to earn up to 20 CPD hours, fulfilling annual professional development requirements
- networking with peers and experts from across the country, sharing insights that can be applied in our workplace.
I believe attending this event will directly benefit both my professional development and our team. The knowledge and skills gained will enhance patient care, improve efficiency, and ensure we stay aligned with best practice in primary health care. I am committed to sharing key learnings with colleagues upon my return to maximise the value of this investment.
The cost of attendance is [$insert ticket cost], and I respectfully request that the organisation cover this expense.
Thank you for considering my request. I am confident this opportunity will deliver significant value to both myself and our care.
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
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