A full copy of the ACE Nursing timelines can be downloaded from the ACE Nursing Resources section.
Intake Dates
Mid Year 2026
| Milestone | Date |
| ACE RN applications open | 9am Wednesday, 8 April |
| ACE RN applications close | 12pm (noon NZT) Tuesday, 5 May |
| ACE assess complete applications | Wednesday, 6 May - Friday, 15 May |
| Employers interview, shortlist and rank applicants | Monday, 18 May - Friday 26 June |
| Applicants must have all employer preference changes to ACE | 9am Monday, 29 June |
| ACE RN national match | Monday, 29 June - Monday, 13 July |
| ACE RN match outcome notified | Wednesday, 22 July |
| ACE RN Talent Pool Released | Thursday, 23 July |
End of Year 2026
| Milestone | Date |
| ACE RN applications open | 9am Wednesday, 5 August |
| ACE RN applications close | 12pm (noon NZT) Tuesday, 1 September |
| ACE assess complete applications | Wednesday, 2 September - Friday, 11 September |
| Employers interview, shortlist and rank applicants | Monday, 14 September - Friday, 23 October |
| Applicants must have all employer preference changes to ACE | 5pm Friday, 23 October |
| ACE RN national match | Tuesday, 27 October - Friday, 6 November |
| ACE RN match outcome notified | Wednesday, 18 November |
| ACE RN Talent Pool Released | Thursday, 19 November |
Nursing School Presentation Dates
For Mid-Year and End of Year 2026 Recrutiment Round
- Whitireia BN Māori - 27 January 2026
- Manukau Institute of Technology - 3 February 2026
- Eastern Institute of Technology - 11 February 2026
- NorthTec - 23 February 2026
- University of Canterbury - 25 February 2026
- Unitec Institute of Technology - 26 February 2026
- Auckland University of Technology - 10 March 2026
- Whitireia BN - 24 March 2026
- University of Waikato Bachelor of Nursing - 23 April 2026
- University of Waikato Master of Nursing - 23 April 2026
- Massey University BN Students (Manawatū Campus) - 4 May 2026
- Unitec Institute of Technology (Waitākere campus) - 2 June 2026
- Otago Polytechnic BN Students - 16 June 2026
- University of Auckland - 6 July 2026
- Ara Institute of Canterbury - 8 July 2026
- Massey University BN Students (Wellington Campus) - 13 July 2026
- NorthTec second semester - 14 July 2026
- Whitireia BN Māori, BN Pacific, BN - 21 July 2026
- Unitec Institute of Technology (Waitākere campus) - 28 July 2026