Group Captain Kath Stein FACN GAICD becomes ACN president

The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) has appointed its new president, Group Captain Kath Stein FACN GAICD — Director of National Operations at the Department of Defence.

New president

Stein’s career has included serving in the Air Force for more than three decades, with operational experience on exercises and deployments. As Director of National Operations, her responsibility is for the delivery of health care to Defence members nationally.

Stein was also formerly Director of Defence Force Nursing and has led the Command Joint Health Unit Northern New South Wales. Her policy and governance role experience has included in Strategic Policy and Intelligence Group, Air Force Headquarters and Joint Health Command.

A graduate of Curtin University of Technology, Stein has served in health facilities across NSW, WA, NT and QLD — currently serving in Canberra, ACT. “It is an honour to lead the Australian College of Nursing at such a pivotal time for the profession,” Stein said.

“Demands on nurses are becoming ever greater, due to the growing complexity of patient care requirements and strains on the system. ACN has an incredible opportunity to transform the support provided to nurses throughout the various stages of their career.

“At the same time, the profession is evolving and growing to meet the needs of our populations, including with the establishment of the new endorsement for prescribing for registered nurses. It is a remarkable time for nurses to be able to grasp the opportunities to use all their skills and experience, operating at their optimal scope to deliver high quality patient care.

“These new opportunities and our incredible nursing workforce will improve access to health care for our patients and ACN advocates for each and every one of them.

“I look forward to engaging more closely and personally with members; continuing to provide educational offerings delivering academic excellence; and, through this, continuing to improve our health care system. Nurses are the solution.”

Former president

Stein’s presidency was announced at ACN’s National Nursing Forum in Canberra and became effective from Tuesday 22 July 2025. Stein takes over from Adjunct Professor David Plunkett FACN, who had served as ACN president since August 2023.

“During his leadership, he leveraged his considerable experience as a nurse leader and health service executive and has supported the forging of a close advocacy alliance with other peak nursing and midwifery groups, culminating in the ‘Nurses Are the Solution’ campaign,” ACN said in a statement.

“ACN’s engagement with the government, key ministers, departments, and numerous consultative reform processes has been collaborative and rewarding throughout his term.

“ACN’s education, leadership, affiliate, engagement, and Foundation offerings and activities remained steady in a competitive and, at times, turbulent period during his Presidency.”

First joining the board in 2018, Plunkett will remain a board member until the end of 2025.