Southern Cross University has surged up the global rankings for nursing, as demand for qualified nurses continues to grow across Australia and regional communities.
The university has jumped 147 places to rank in the top 151–225 globally for Nursing in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, reflecting growing recognition of its teaching, research and industry partnerships.
The rise comes as Australia faces a projected shortfall of more than 70,000 nurses by 2035, placing increasing pressure on universities to deliver job-ready graduates and strengthen the health workforce.
The QS rankings assess universities across academic reputation, employer reputation, research impact and international collaboration, with Southern Cross recording gains across multiple indicators.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Julie Jomeen said the result highlights the strength of the university’s nursing programs.
“This strong performance highlights the University’s focus on industry-ready graduates who are highly regarded by healthcare employers in Australia and internationally,” Professor Jomeen said.
Southern Cross also recorded a rise in employer reputation, with strong job outcomes for graduates. According to the Good Universities Guide 2026, 89 per cent of undergraduate and 93 per cent of postgraduate nursing students secure full-time employment within four months of finishing their studies.
The university’s Faculty of Health has contributed to the result through a range of research initiatives, including a world-first pilot study into an online tool for assessing delirium, work on national guidelines for First Nations Peoples with kidney disease, and research into the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare.
Executive Dean of Health Fiona Naumann said the result reflects a collective effort across the university and its partners.
“This result is a strong endorsement of the quality of our teaching, research and industry partnerships, and reflects the collective effort of our staff, collaborators and healthcare partners,” Professor Naumann said.
“Our rise in the QS rankings highlights Southern Cross University’s growing global reputation and positions us well to attract outstanding students, strengthen international collaborations, and continue building impact across nursing and the broader health disciplines.”
The university has also strengthened partnerships with healthcare providers, including its role in the Academic Health Alliance at the new Tweed Valley Hospital, alongside Bond University, Griffith University and TAFE NSW.
Students are also gaining international experience, with placements in India supported by the New Colombo Plan.
Bachelor of Nursing student Thomas Neller said the opportunity to work overseas had a lasting impact.
“We went to schools, orphanages and aged care homes to see different ways of health promotion and how to build healthy communities,” Mr Neller said.
“These opportunities have reinforced for me that I am entering a field where I will have a pretty big purpose.”
The university said its focus on industry partnerships, research and practical experience will continue to underpin its efforts to address workforce shortages, particularly in regional and rural areas.
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