The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) has today announced the appointment of Director of National Operations at the Department of Defence, Group Captain Kath Stein FACN GAICD, as President.
Group Captain Stein takes over from Adjunct Professor David Plunkett FACN, who has 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’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. Adjunct Professor Plunkett first joined the Board in 2018 and will remain a Board member until the end of 2025.
Group Captain Stein has had a distinguished career, serving in the Air Force for more than three decades, with operational experience on exercises and deployments. As Director of National Operations, she is responsible for the delivery of health care to Defence members nationally. She has led the Command Joint Health Unit Northern New South Wales and was formerly Director of Defence Force Nursing. She has health planning expertise, with experience in various policy and governance roles in Strategic Policy and Intelligence Group, Air Force Headquarters and Joint Health Command. After graduating from Curtin University of Technology, she 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,” Group Captain 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.”
Group Captain Stein’s Presidency became effective from 22 July 2025, and was announced at ACN's National Nursing Forum in Canberra today.
Contact details:
John Flannery
0419 494 761