University of Notre Dame Australia
Template:Short description Template:Distinguish Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Australian English Template:Infobox university
The University of Notre Dame Australia (known simply as Notre Dame; Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell; French for 'Our Lady')Template:Efn is a private Catholic university with campuses in Perth, Sydney and Broome. It was established in 1989 by the Parliament of Western Australia with early support from its founding partner and namesake, the University of Notre Dame (NDUS) in the United States. It was originally conceived as a means to train teachers and nurses for the Archdiocese of Perth's Catholic education and healthcare network, but has since expanded into other disciplines. Its campuses include heritage places, mostly built in the mid-19th to early-20th centuries.
Its founding campus is in Perth, where it expanded into colonial-era maritime buildings in the Fremantle West End heritage area, later becoming ubiquitous with the precinct as a university town. Its restoration work and the influx of students has formed a symbiotic relationship with the local economy, culture and tourism industry. It also has a campus in Sydney, divided between two sites in the city's Inner West. The larger site on Broadway is located between the University of Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney. The smaller site in Darlinghurst is focused on healthcare and is affiliated with the wider St Vincent's Integrated Healthcare Campus. It also has a regional campus in Broome and eight clinical schools across New South Wales and Victoria.
Notre Dame's academic activities are organised into three faculties, which are subdivided into constituent schools and research divisions. The faculties comprise disciplines including commerce, education, healthcare, information technology, law and various fields in the arts and sciences. In 2023, it enrolled 11,579 students. It had a total revenue of Template:AUD and a total expenditure of Template:AUD in 2024. Although founded as a non-profit private university, it progressively entered the public funding system until 2021, when it attained full Table A status under HESA. It is also a de facto Global Gateway for the University of Notre Dame, with which it has maintained staff and student exchanges since its inception, but remains independent.
The university crest displays an open Bible at its core with the opening verse from the Gospel of John inscribed in Latin. The verse was chosen as its motto to symbolise everything that exists beginning as an idea. The waves below and the Commonwealth Star represent the port city of Fremantle, where the university was founded, and Australia as a nation surrounded by water. The symbols are affixed to an Oxford Blue badge over a Cambridge Blue Greek cross. Notre Dame is affiliated with the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, the International Council of Universities of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the International Federation of Catholic Universities and St John of God Health Care.
History
Early discussions
Following the end of World War II in 1945, a Congregation of Holy Cross priest serving as a U.S. Navy chaplain at Naval Base Sydney<ref name="Malloy 2007a p3">Template:Harvtxt</ref> was travelling between parishes to provide lectures and sermons.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Cardinal Norman Gilroy, then the Archbishop of Sydney and a sceptic of secular universities,<ref name="Boland 1996">Template:Citation</ref> befriended the Holy Cross chaplain Father Patrick Duffy and they discussed the idea of the University of Notre Dame in the United States (NDUS) and the Congregation of Holy Cross being involved in the establishment of the first Catholic university in Australia.<ref name="Malloy 2007a p3" /><ref name="Kelleher 1949">Template:Cite web</ref> Father Duffy in the same year wrote a letter to the superior general of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Father Albert Cousineau,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> outlining its feasibility and reasons supporting it.<ref name="Malloy 2007a p3" />
At the time, a fifth of the Australian population was Catholic<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and there was an established network of Catholic primary and secondary schools.<ref name="Kelleher 1949" /><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Cardinal Gilroy believed that there was a strong appetite for a Catholic university and that it would enable the education of an "elite Catholic laity that had been the glory of the church in the United States".<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> The archdiocese also expressed openness in providing financial support and land should the proposal be successful.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> In a report, Father Duffy included that almost all of the federal cabinet members were Catholic and noted the influence of Irish Australians in the governing structure of the country, resembling it with the Irish history of NDUS.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Warhurst et al 1982">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Hamilton 1948">Template:Cite journal</ref>
Father Cousineau and the Holy Cross' assistant provincial, Father Chris O'Toole, visited Sydney in 1946 to investigate the viability of the institution, including its opportunities and possible setbacks.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> While their report highlighted Australia's existing Catholic school system and potential to increase opportunities for the Catholic faith and its members, the report had also found possible obstacles.<ref name="Malloy 2007a p6">Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> These included the lack of universal support or enthusiasm between interstate bishops, the distance between major cities, perceived competition from existing institutions and the substantial government lobbying required for support or funding.<ref name="Malloy 2007a p6" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> There was also the limitations of technology and the issue of distance between the American institutions and Sydney, a future cause for stagnation of progress in the university's establishment.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref>
The Holy Cross order sent additional personnel in the following years to evaluate its plans.<ref name="Malloy 2007a pp10 to 11">Template:Harvtxt</ref> This included the name University of St. Mary,Template:Efn faculties, locations and fundraising options.<ref name="Malloy 2007a pp10 to 11" /> The project was pursued for a few more years and Template:Convert was purchased in 1948 on behalf of the Holy Cross for a future campus.<ref name="Boland 1996" /><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Ultimately, opposition from the press and the further stretching of Holy Cross resources due to the Korean War led to the required charter to establish the university not being acquired.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> Existing commitments in the development of educational institutions elsewhere by the Holy Cross and NDUS also limited the personnel and funding available to support the project.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Despite positive reception from Pope Pius XXI<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the then dominance of Catholics in the governing Labor Party's hierarchy,<ref name="Warhurst et al 1982" /><ref name="Hamilton 1948" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> non-Catholics were more sceptical of the plans.<ref name="Kelleher 1949" /><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This included concerns from other religious denominations over the level of academic freedom at a denominational institution<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the endeavour was later abandoned.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref>
Re-emergence and establishment
In the mid-1980s, concerns were raised by the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia and the Archdiocese of Perth that present state universities may not be able to sufficiently train school teachers and nurses to work in the state's Catholic education and healthcare network.<ref name="Devine 2006">Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref name="Tannock 2014 pp2 20">Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> This was partly due to the lack of public Catholic teaching colleges in the state found in the rest of the mainland, and their concern that the schools may eventually lose their Catholic identity.<ref name="Tannock 2014 pp2 20" /><ref name="Tannock 2014 p2">Template:Harvtxt</ref> The idea of a private Catholic university again surfaced this time on the opposite side of the Australian continent.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref>
Peter Tannock, who headed the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia, discussed these concerns with William Foley, the then Archbishop of Perth.<ref name="Tannock 2014 pp2 20" /><ref name="Tannock 2014 p2" /> They enlisted the help of Catholic businessperson Denis Horgan,<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> also a childhood friend to Peter and founder of the Leeuwin Estate, who they hoped could provide financial assistance.<ref name="Tannock 2014 pp2 20" /><ref name="Tannock 2014 p2" /> Horgan, who had previously envisioned a private university in the state, was supportive of the idea so long as the institution would provide more than just teacher education,<ref name="Tannock 2014 pp2 20" /> believing that a more comprehensive university would have greater fundraising potential from the state's Catholics.<ref name="Devine 2006" />
A planning committee with Tannock, Horgan, Foley and Michael Quinlan, a Catholic physician, was also created and they developed a plan for a private Catholic university with multiple sites in the state that could extend to other fields including nursing and medicine.<ref name="Tannock 2014 pp2 20" /><ref name="Tannock 2014 p2" /> Horgan began purchasing property for the university, mainly unutilised heritage buildings in Fremantle in need of restoration, which were cheaper following the 1987 America's Cup as the colonial-era buildings didn't have many alternative use cases.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref name="Malloy 2007b pp14 16">Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref name="Tannock 2014 pp4 to 5 12">Template:Harvtxt</ref> However, he became insolvent that same year and the buildings were later purchased through loansTemplate:Efn and donations by the Archdiocese of Perth, Catholic Education Commission and the Sisters of St John of God.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref name="Devine 2006" /><ref name="Tannock 2014 5 9 12">Template:Harvtxt</ref>
Father Theodore Hesburgh and Father Ned Joyce, who had recently completed extensive tenures as the president and vice president of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana,<ref name="Devine 2006" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> visited Fremantle as part of a retirement cruise and met with the planning committee in February 1988.<ref name="Malloy 2007b p8">Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref name="Tannock 2014 p3">Template:Harvtxt</ref> They discussed the potential for involvement by the American university in the establishment of the planned institution.<ref name="Malloy 2007b p8" /> In the following months, members of the planning committee met with the newly appointed president, Edward Malloy,<ref name="Devine 2006" /> and other NDUS leaders in both Perth and Indiana.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref name="Tannock 2014 p3" /> Malloy would later frequently visit the future university during his tenure as president, later describing founding it as a personal pride.<ref name="Devine 2006" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
An agreement was reached for NDUS to commit in becoming involved in the development and governing body of the university, provide ongoing guidance and staff and student exchanges.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> Increasing the confidence of the state government of Western Australia in the feasibility of the institution, the proposal received support from both the WA Labor premier Peter Dowding and Liberal opposition leader Barry MacKinnon.<ref name="Tannock 2014 p3" /> The institution would be named "The University of Notre Dame Australia", after its founding partner the University of Notre Dame in the United States.<ref name="Devine 2006" /><ref name="Malloy 2007 p12">Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref name="Tannock 2014 p3" /> Notre Dame, which is French for 'Our Lady', refers to the biblical figure Mary,<ref name="Objects and crest" /> another namesake of the university.<ref name="In Principio 1995">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="The Record 2015">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Costelloe 2016">Template:Cite web</ref>
The university was established on 29 December 1989 following the passage of the University of Notre Dame Australia Act 1989 in the Parliament of Western Australia,<ref name="Legislation 1989" /> where it received support from both sides.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> The Act was given royal assent on 9 January 1990 and the university was inaugurated at St Patrick's Basilica on 2 July 1991,<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> where it was issued a canonical statute.<ref name="Healy 1991" /> It was signed by the newly-appointed Archbishop Robert Healy as Archbishop Foley, despite his role in founding the university, had died five months before the inauguration.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref>
Prior to the decision to select Fremantle as the sole campus, the state government had offered the university a Template:Convert land grant<ref name="Lawrence Report" /> in the Alkimos region north in Greater Perth.<ref name="Malloy 2007b pp=14 17 to 18 24 28">Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> Under the plan, its main campus would have been built on publicly owned land and treated in effect as any other university in the state.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref name="Malloy 2007c p10" /><ref name="Tannock 2014 p4">Template:Harvtxt</ref> The state government believed that the campus could potentially increase the land value and population of the then-sparse region, creating potential income and increasing investment from the private sector.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> The planned land grant accounted for approximately 17% of the region (excluding the coast) and Notre Dame estimated the value of the land to be up to Template:AUD7 million in 1990.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The planning committee saw the main Alkimos campus as vital to the expansion of the university, with the existing development in Fremantle being perceived as limiting to student population growth and subsequent funding.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref name="Malloy 2007c pp7 9">Template:Harvtxt</ref> Although the proposal was discussed extensively between the university and both sides of the state parliament,<ref name="Malloy 2007c pp10 to 12">Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref name="Tannock 2014 p4" /> it led to a collapse of the Labor majority when the disillusioned Frank Donovan left the party.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Support for the deal was later rescinded by the Liberal-National coalition and a parliamentary investigation was launched against the Lawrence government<ref name="Malloy 2007b pp=14 17 to 18 24 28" /><ref name="Malloy 2007c pp7 9" /><ref name="Lawrence Report">Template:Cite news</ref> during the WA Inc political scandals.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> Following a motion of no confidence and the subsequent election of Richard Court as Premier of Western Australia in 1993,<ref name="Lawrence Report" /> the proposal was formally withdrawn.<ref name="Malloy 2007c pp10 to 12" /><ref name="Tannock 2014 p4" /> As a result, Notre Dame remains the only university established in Western Australia to not receive a land grant by the state.<ref name="Malloy 2007c p10">Template:Harvtxt</ref>
Growth and development
Notre Dame had 50 postgraduate students in its first year, including teachers from the state's Catholic school system,<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref name="Tannock 2014 p10">Template:Harvtxt</ref> and the NDUS also sent 25 study abroad students to spend a semester at the campus.<ref name="Brown 2023">Template:Cite web</ref> The latter program was repeated each semester and the students were accompanied by a staff member.<ref name="Tannock 2014 p10" /> Classes commenced in February 1992<ref name="Brown 2023" /> and the first graduations were held at Fremantle Town Hall later that year.<ref name="Tannock 2014 p10" /> Undergraduate programs began in 1994, when the university first enrolled school leavers, with approximately 570 students during the first year.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref name="Tannock 2014 p11">Template:Harvtxt</ref> It also opened a regional campus in Broome that same year located in the northern Kimberley region.<ref name="Waddell 2019" /> Additional schools were founded soon after opening that offered programs in other fields of study.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref name="Tannock 2014 p11" />
The university was also itself responsible for securing funding to restore and convert purchased buildings,<ref name="Tannock 2014 p12" /> its growth and restoration work contributing to it becoming ubiquitous<ref name="Fremantle Map" /><ref name="West End Heritage Area">Template:Cite web</ref> with the West End heritage area of Fremantle as a university town.<ref name="Allen 2022">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Fremantle 2029 Vision">Template:Cite report</ref><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> The influx of staff and students formed a symbiotic relationship with the city's culture and economy, and the restoration of neglected heritage buildings improved its status as a tourism precinct.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref name="Allen 2022" /><ref name="Tannock 2014 p12">Template:Harvtxt</ref> The university also established its "objects" that codify its Catholic identity around this time.<ref name="Legislation 1989" /><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref>
Town and gown relations
Notre Dame's relationship with Fremantle had not always been free of tension.<ref name="Lewi 2018 pp285 292">Template:Harvtxt</ref> During its establishment, there was doubt as to whether a university town retrofitted into the city was feasible.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> It had also encountered opposition since its inception with distrust arising from local conservation groups and residents in local media towards Catholic institutions in the increasingly liberal-minded city.<ref name="Lewi 2018 pp285 to 289 292">Template:Harvtxt</ref> The secretive nature of the planning committee and its limited outreach also didn't help build relations with the community or address its concerns on conservation and urban vitality.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref>
However, the university was not universally opposed.<ref name="Lewi 2018 pp285 to 289 292" /> Peter Tagliaferri, who served as the Mayor of Fremantle from 2001 to 2009, described Fremantle before the university as a "seedy port city where booze barns are the major attraction" with strip clubs, gambling and low perceptions of security.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> Feelings of nostalgia towards the declining male-dominated, exclusionary pub culture had also been one of the most significant drivers towards conservation movements despite its limited impact on Fremantle's history and culture.<ref name="Lewi 2018 pp285 to 289 292" /> There was also contradictory opposition against leaving the historical pubs, hotels, banks and other buildings empty or selling the heritage properties to other private owners or businesses.<ref name="Lewi 2018 p289">Template:Harvtxt</ref>
The relationship between the university and the wider community has broadly improved in recent years, with the economic benefits of the students it brings from other parts of Perth being a significant driver.<ref name="Lewi 2018 p289" /> From 2002 to 2019, Notre Dame and the City of Fremantle had a Memorandum of Understanding in place<ref name="Tannock 2014 p12" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> to improve cooperation in the areas of heritage conservation, commercial and economic development.<ref name="Lewi 2018 p291">Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Expansion to New South Wales
Following an invitation by the Archdiocese of Sydney,<ref name="Dagwell 2008">Template:Cite news</ref> a third campus was opened in 2006 by then Prime Minister John Howard<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> on the site of the St Benedict's Catholic Church on Broadway in Sydney.<ref name="Howard 2004 Broadway">Template:Cite web</ref> This was followed by another Sydney site in 2008<ref name="Darlinghurst Opening">Template:Cite web</ref> on the sites of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Sacred Heart Hospice in Darlinghurst.<ref name="Howard 2004 Darlinghurst">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Sacred Heart Church">Template:Cite web</ref> Pope Benedict XVI visited the latter church that same year<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and adjoining Benedict XVI Medical Library, which is named after him.<ref name="Tannock 2014 p27">Template:Harvtxt</ref>Template:Efn Notre Dame was chosen partly for its prior experience in restoring deteriorating historical landmarks and high-density campus planning.<ref name="Tannock 2014 p25">Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref name="Marshall 2004a">Template:Cite web</ref>
The establishment of the Sydney campus was funded primarily by the Archdiocese of Sydney and the Sydney Catholic Education Office, with additional funding from the federal government.<ref name="Tannock 2014 p26">Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Existing properties surrounding the sites such as Pioneer House on Broadway were also restored<ref name="Pioneer House Expansion">Template:Cite news</ref> and new buildings were built to accommodate the future growth of the student population.<ref name="Tannock 2014 p26" /><ref name="Dagwell 2008" /> The Sydney Catholic Education Office also donated property including the now-called Canavan Hall building,<ref name="Tannock 2014 p26" /> which houses the St Benedict's Library among other facilities.<ref name="St Benedicts Library Design">Template:Cite web</ref> Constituent schools were founded and developed separately in Sydney and included a share-use agreement with University of Technology Sydney for facilities and curriculum for biomedical sciences.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> In 2024, it acquired a neighbouring campus from UTS.<ref name="Blackfriars Purchase">Template:Cite web</ref>
Campuses and buildings
Notre Dame has three campuses.<ref name="Campuses and facilities" /> Its largest campus is located in Fremantle,<ref name="Fremantle Map" /> the port city for the Greater Perth region<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> meanwhile its Sydney campus is split across two sites in the Inner West of the city.<ref name="Broadway Campus Map" /><ref name="Darlinghurst Campus Map" /> It also has a regional campus in Broome, far north in Western Australia in the Kimberley region.<ref name="Waddell 2019" /> It is the only university in Australia to have major campuses on both the east and west coasts<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and students can apply to switch between campuses during their studies.<ref name="Enrolment changes">Template:Cite web</ref> The School of Medicine in Sydney also has eight clinical schools located across New South Wales and Victoria.<ref name="Clinical schools" /> Notre Dame also offers a range of online courses and programs available through Open Universities Australia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Since its inception, the university has had handmade jarrah crosses hung in every room across its campuses and clinical schools.<ref name="In Principio 2012">Template:Cite web</ref> The crosses, which are also handed to students during graduation mass, were intended to serve as a reminder of Notre Dame's Catholic identity and are based on a cross at its Holy Spirit Chapel in Fremantle.<ref name="In Principio 2012" />
Fremantle
The Fremantle campus is the founding campus of Notre Dame and comprises some of Perth's oldest buildings.<ref name="Tannock 2014 5 9 12" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The campus is omnipresent in the Fremantle West End heritage area<ref name="Fremantle Map" /><ref name="West End Heritage Area" /> and includes colonial-era maritime buildings that were restored and converted for university use.<ref name="Malloy 2007b pp14 16" /><ref name="Tannock 2014 pp4 to 5 12" /><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> The wider precinct is surrounded in clockwise by several harbours, Bathers Beach facing the Indian Ocean and the Fremantle Ports along the mouth of the Swan River.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The campus architect Marcus Collins, campus director Terry Craig, interior designer Angela Chaney and builder Bill Fairweather were largely responsible for renovating much of the early campus.<ref name="Tannock 2014 p12" /> Collins, in particular, played an outsized role in re-developing all university buildings in Perth, Sydney and Broome until 2015 when he died.<ref name="Lewi 2018 p290">Template:Harvtxt</ref> His early work may have been influenced by the 1987 Black Tuesday global stock market crash and the subsequent insolvency of Denis Horgan, who had purchased property for the university to use.<ref name="Devine 2006" /><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref>
Collins took a frugal and minimalist approach in his building conversions with a unified interior design inspired by the Western Australian environment.<ref name="Lewi 2018 p290" /> This included interiors with exposed elements from the original structures, the use of jarrah timber furniture, brick red carpetting and the incorporation of Catholic and Aboriginal designs and symbols.<ref name="Lewi 2018 p290" /> Collins' design philosophy, which he self-described as "touching the building lightly" due to its economic nature, was intended to be a temporary solution until financial conditions improve<ref name="Lewi 2018 p290" /> and the university has since started modernising interiors during re-development phases.<ref name="Student Hub Archived Renovations" /><ref name="St Benedicts Library Photos" />
The initial buildings for the campus were donated by the Archdiocese of Perth, the Catholic Education Commission and the Sisters of St John of God in the form of loans which were later written off.<ref name="Tannock 2014 5 9 12" /> Notre Dame's expansion throughout the West End enabled it in later becoming ubiquitous<ref name="Fremantle Map" /><ref name="West End Heritage Area" /> with the heritage precinct as a university town.<ref name="Fremantle 2029 Vision" /><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> A 2022 independent report commissioned by the university valued its annual economic impact at Template:AUD252 million.<ref name="Allen 2022" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The campus is served by St Teresa's Library<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the Galvin Medical Library.<ref name="Anderson Galvin Library" />
Notable buildings
Notre Dame's buildings at the Fremantle campus include a portfolio of colonial-era, late Victorian and Edwardian architecture.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Customs House was constructed as a warehouse in 1888 and extended twice in 1896 and 1903.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was used as a warehouse for P. Falk and Company and later the United States Navy during World War II.<ref>Template:Cite wikisource</ref> Today, only its ornate façades remain with its interior re-built in 1985.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Notre Dame purchased the site in 2017.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Frank Cadd Building is a rendered stone structure constructed in 1890 with an arched entrance, windows and a bracketed parapet with low pier balustrading.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its namesake is former Mayor of Fremantle Frank Cadd.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The Kreglinger Buildings include the former Westpac Building built in 1892<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the semi-detached Commercial Building.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They were designed by architect Talbot Hobbs in the Federation Academic Classical style and used for health courses.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Dalgety Building is a stone and brick structure constructed in 1899 for the Bank of New South Wales.<ref name="Dalgety Building">Template:Cite web</ref> It is built in the Federation Free Classical architecture style.<ref name="Dalgety Building" />
The Howard Smith Building is a brick and stone structure constructed in 1900 for Howard Smith, then a shipping company.<ref name="Howard Smith Building">Template:Cite web</ref> It has a parapet with two decorative pediments.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It used by the School of Nursing and Midwifery.<ref name="Howard Smith Building" />
The P&O Building was constructed in 1903 as a brick and stone structure in the Federation Free Classical style with an imposing façade and arches around a central pediment.<ref name="Lewis 1996">Template:Cite web</ref> It was built for the Australian Union Steamship Navigation Company, which was taken over by its current namesake P&O soon after in 1913.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is now occupied by the School of Nursing and Midwifery but was previously shared with Maersk and the Danish Consul.<ref name="Lewis 1996" />
Sydney
The Sydney campus is spread across two sites in the city's Inner West.<ref name="Campuses and facilities" /> This includes its main site on Broadway<ref name="Liverpool Site Announcement">Template:Cite web</ref> and the Darlinghurst site which specialises in healthcare.<ref name="Darlinghurst Campus Map" /><ref name="St Vincents Campus">Template:Cite web</ref> It is also expected to openTemplate:When a third site in Liverpool.<ref name="Liverpool Site Announcement" />
Both sites are listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register.<ref name="Broadway Campus Map" /><ref name="Darlinghurst Campus Map" /> The Broadway site includes the St Benedict's Church group, the UTS Blackfriars Campus group (purchased in 2024),<ref name="CBRE Blackfriars Listing">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Blackfriars Purchase" /> Pioneer House and a converted Grace Bros former warehouse on 22 City Road.<ref name="Sydney Heritage List 2012">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="NSW State Heritage Inventory">Template:Cite web</ref> The Darlinghurst site is listed as the Sacred Heart Church group.<ref name="Sydney Heritage List 2012" /><ref name="NSW State Heritage Inventory" />
Notre Dame also has a study centre in the Western Sydney suburb of Oran Park.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Broadway
The Sydney campus provides most of its programs at the larger site on Broadway.<ref name="Broadway Campus Map">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Darlinghurst Campus Map">Template:Cite web</ref> It was opened in 2006 following an invitation by the Archdiocese of Sydney<ref name="Dagwell 2008" /> to establish a campus on church sites in need of restoration.<ref name="Tannock 2014 p25" /><ref name="Marshall 2004a" /> Notre Dame's prior experience in restoring deteriorating historical landmarks and high-density campus planning played a role in its selection over the Australian Catholic University.<ref name="Tannock 2014 p25" /><ref name="Marshall 2004a" />
Built in 1852, the on-campus St Benedict's Catholic Church is the oldest consecrated Catholic church in Australia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It was the parish church of Norman Gilroy,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the first Australian-born cardinal and an early advocate of the university.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref>
Existing properties surrounding the sites such as Pioneer House were also restored<ref name="Pioneer House Expansion" /> and new buildings were built to accommodate the future growth of the student population.<ref name="Tannock 2014 p26" /><ref name="Dagwell 2008" /> The Sydney Catholic Education Office also donated property including the now-called Canavan Hall building,<ref name="Tannock 2014 p26" /> which houses the St Benedict's LibraryTemplate:Efn among other facilities.<ref name="St Benedicts Library Design" />
Sacred_Heart_Church_Darlinghurst-99.jpg){kind=link}
The site is located between the University of Sydney and University of Technology Sydney<ref name="Broadway Campus Map" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> within a university precinct known as the Tech Central.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is also part of the Camperdown-Ultimo Collaboration Area, a health and education precinct.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2024, it acquired a neighbouring Blackfriars campus from UTS.<ref name="Blackfriars Purchase" />
Darlinghurst
The Darlinghurst site was opened in 2008<ref name="Darlinghurst Opening" /> and is home to the Schools of Medicine and Nursing in Sydney.<ref name="Darlinghurst Campus Map" /> It is located on the sites of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Sacred Heart Hospice in Darlinghurst.<ref name="Howard 2004 Darlinghurst" /><ref name="Sacred Heart Church" /> It is adjacent to St Vincent's Hospital<ref name="Howard 2004 Darlinghurst" /> and the Sacred Heart Health Service,<ref name="Tannock 2014 p27" /> with which it forms key components of the wider St Vincent's Integrated Healthcare Campus.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="St Vincents Campus" /> It is served by the Benedict XVI Medical Library,Template:Efn which is named after Pope Benedict XVI who blessed the site following its opening.<ref name="Tannock 2014 p27" /><ref name="Remembering Benedict XVI">Template:Cite web</ref>
Sacred_Heart_Church_Darlinghurst-6.jpg){kind=link}
The heritage-listed Sacred Heart Catholic Church was built in 1852<ref name="Benedict XVI" /> and is home to a 65-tonne Risen Christ mosaic comprising 700,000 tiles.<ref name="In Principio 2013">Template:Cite web</ref> It was constructed at the Vatican's Studio of the Mosaic by Enrico Gaudenzi, an Italian mosaic craftsperson.<ref name="In Principio 2013" /> During conservation works undertaken by Notre Dame, the mosaic and its concrete apse was moved to the central nave from an empty, underused former annex that was later removed.<ref name="In Principio 2013" /> It was shifted, according to then campus architect Marcus Collins,<ref name="Lewi 2018 p290" /> "without the loss of a single tile".<ref name="In Principio 2013" />
Liverpool
Notre Dame and the Liverpool City Council reached an agreement in late 2024 for the university to expand its footprint to the Liverpool CBD.<ref name="Liverpool Site Announcement" /> It is expected to beTemplate:When its third Sydney site and the first to be located in its western suburbs.<ref name="Liverpool Site Announcement" />
Clinical schools
Whilst not formal campuses, the School of Medicine in Sydney operates eight clinical schools across New South Wales and Victoria.<ref name="Clinical schools">Template:Cite web</ref> In New South Wales, clinical schools in Greater Sydney are located in Darlinghurst, Auburn and Hawkesbury<ref name="Clinical schools" />Template:Efn and regional sites are located in Lithgow and Riverina.<ref name="Clinical schools" />Template:Efn
In Victoria, clinical schools are located in Melbourne, where it also offers some postgraduate programs,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Ballarat.<ref name="Clinical schools" />Template:Efn
Broome
The Broome campus is the only campus of Notre Dame to be located outside of a state capital.<ref name="Campuses and facilities">Template:Cite web</ref> It was opened in 1994 in the Kimberley region north in Western Australia.<ref name="Waddell 2019">Template:Cite web</ref> It received funding from and was established by the Sisters of St John of God on the former site of a Catholic boarding school.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref name="Brabender 2024">Template:Cite web</ref> The buildings are located near the epicentre of the town and was restored and renovated for use.<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> Sister Sonia Wagner, a nun who served as the deputy vice chancellor of the campus, described its architecture as "traditional Broome" in reference to use of corrugated iron, timber walls and latticed verandahs in the regional landscape.<ref name="Devine 2006" /> The Template:Convert campus has its own library,<ref name="WAnderland Library">Template:Cite web</ref> some limited student accommodation<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and grew to offer vocational and baccalaureate courses in nursing, teaching and commerce.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Affiliated institutions
Notre Dame also offers studies at affiliated institutions outside of its three campuses.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Campion Advanced Standing">Template:Cite web</ref> In spite of their coordinated academic programs and courses, they are still separate institutions that are operated independently.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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Catholic Institute of Sydney
Template:Main The Catholic Institute of Sydney (CIS) is the sole ecclesiastical faculty of the Catholic Church in Australia.<ref name="Ecclesiastical Institutions">Template:Cite web</ref> It is located in Strathfield in Sydney's Inner West and offers baccalaureate, postgraduate and doctoral studies in ministry and theology.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its courses are provided in coordination with Notre Dame, which is its accrediting and awarding body for civil awards recognised in Australia.<ref name="About CIS">Template:Cite web</ref> Although erected under canon law,<ref name="Healy 1991" /> Notre Dame itself isn't a pontifical university and CIS confers its own ecclesiastical degrees.<ref name="Ecclesiastical Institutions" /><ref name="About CIS" /> The dual-award structure allows studies to be recognised in both Australia and by the Holy See.<ref name="About CIS" /><ref name="Ecclesiastical Institutions" />
Students at CIS have access to all of the amenities at Notre Dame and its academic programs are also provided at Notre Dame's campuses.<ref name="UNDA-CIS Partnership">Template:Cite web</ref> Students at both institutions are able to switch between campuses throughout their enrolment.<ref name="UNDA-CIS Partnership" /> CIS also offers courses at Vianney College in Wagga Wagga, a regional city in New South Wales.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Te Kupenga – Catholic Theological College
Template:Main Located in Auckland, the Catholic Theological College (Template:Langx) is the sole Roman Catholic theological college in New Zealand.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its courses are also provided in co-ordination with Notre Dame<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and qualifications issued are recognised under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement.<ref name="Tasman Agreement">Template:Cite web</ref> It offers religious education programs including ministry and theology.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Campion College
Template:Main Campion College is a Roman Catholic liberal arts college.<ref name="Campion Advanced Standing" /> It is located in Toongabbie, in the western suburbs of Sydney, and named in honour of Saint Edmund Campion.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It provides studies in the liberal arts and religious education,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> including some pathways into Notre Dame with advanced standing.<ref name="Campion Advanced Standing" />
Organisation and administration
Governance and structure
The university is bound by its governing legislation consisting of the University of Notre Dame Australia Act 1989,<ref name="Legislation 1989">Template:Cite web</ref> the University Statutes,<ref name="Statutes 2023">Template:Cite web</ref> and the Canonical Statutes.<ref name="Healy 1991">Template:Cite web</ref> The two main bodies in Notre Dame's governance structure are the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors, both of which were established by the Act and with powers defined by the statutes.<ref name="Statutes 2023" /> The Act provides that the Board of Trustees: "are the custodians of the University and are responsible for ensuring that there is compliance with [the Catholic objects of the university]".<ref name="Legislation 1989" />
Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor
The founding president and vice-chancellor of the university was David Link, who served as the dean of NDUS' law school prior to taking up the position,<ref name="Devine 2006" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the founding chancellor was former footballer, coach and legal professional Terry O'Connor.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The vice-chancellor is the principal academic and administrative officer and is appointed by the Board of Directors on the nomination of the Trustees.<ref name="Legislation 1989" /> The chancellor, on the other hand, plays a ceremonial role and is appointed by the Trustees for "a period, which must not exceed 8 years, that is determined by the Trustees, or until he or she resigns from that office or ceases to be a Trustee".<ref name="Legislation 1989" /> The boards also appoint the deputy and pro vice chancellors to assist and advise the vice-chancellor, as required.<ref name="Statutes 2023" /> The executive management includes four deputy vice chancellors, five pro vice chancellors, the university secretary, several chiefs and deputies, and the executive deans of the three faculties who are appointed directly by the vice-chancellor.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The vice-chancellor is required to identify as a Catholic.<ref name="Devine 2006" />
The incumbent chancellor is Christopher Ellison, who was appointed in succession to Peter Prendiville and took office in January 2018.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Since February 2020, the vice-chancellor has been Francis Campbell, succeeding Celia Hammond who retired to run for parliament.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The chancellery is located in Foley Hall, designated ND1 as Notre Dame's first building,<ref name="Fremantle Map" /> which was built in 1889 as an office building.<ref name="Lewi 2018 p289" /> It is located opposite the Strelitz Buildings,<ref name="Fremantle Map" /> home to a former office and workshop of Herbert Hoover who later became the 31st President of the United States.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> There is also a vice chancellery in Sydney close to the Broadway site on City Road.<ref name="Broadway Campus Map" />
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Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is the overseer of the university.<ref name="Statutes 2023" /> In addition to 12 representatives from the university, it includes two members appointed by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Perth, two members appointed by Roman Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Sydney, and the vice-chancellor ex officio.<ref name="Legislation 1989" /> The reserve seats aim to conserve Notre Dame's Catholic identity.<ref name="Devine 2006" /> Its powers include electing a chancellor, who presides over the three boards, nominating a vice-chancellor, and appointing members of the Board of Directors and the Board of Governors.<ref name="Statutes 2023" /> The Trustees report to the Bishops of Perth, Broome and Sydney who are visitors to the university.<ref name="Statutes 2023" /><ref name="Devine 2006" />
Board of Directors
Similar to senates at public universities in Australia,<ref name="Devine 2006" /> the Board of Directors is the executive body responsible for administrating the university and managing its finances.<ref name="Legislation 1989" /><ref name="Devine 2006" /> The governing legislation grants it the authority "to exercise all the powers of the University and is to have the entire control and management of the affairs and concerns of the University".<ref name="Legislation 1989" /> This includes the power to appoint the vice-chancellor nominated by the Trustees, to manage faculties and the University Statutes and is the senate that confers awards.<ref name="Statutes 2023" /> It is responsible for the general administration of the university and is advised by several standing committees and the Board of Governors, consisting of the Trustees and 18 other members appointed by them.<ref name="Statutes 2023" />
Academic Council
Academic affairs is overseen by the Academic Council.<ref name="Statutes 2023" /> It is a standing committee of the Board of Directors and consists of the vice-chancellor, the deputy vice chancellors, two pro vice chancellors, the executive deans of the three faculties, the directors of the research institutes, the academic registrar, the university librarian, two elected academic staff members, two elected professional staff members, one appointed undergraduate student, one appointed postgraduate student, the directors of four support divisions and other senior executives.<ref name="Statutes 2023" /> It is responsible for developing the curriculum.<ref name="Devine 2006" />
Faculties and departments
The teaching departments at Notre Dame consist of three national faculties that comprise constituent schools, centres and research divisions.<ref name="Statutes 2023" /> The faculties, each led by an executive dean and their Faculty Board,<ref name="Statutes 2023" /> were created in 2024<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> to consolidate the 16 academic schools.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The establishment of faculties and academic schools is formally the responsibility of Board of Directors, with advice from the Board of Governors and the Academic Council.<ref name="Statutes 2023" /> The seven constituent schools each have a Board of Examiners consisting of their National Head of School, their teaching staff and program coordinators and the executive dean of their respective faculty.<ref name="Statutes 2023" />
Faculty of Arts, Sciences, Law and Business
- School of Law and Business
- School of Arts and Sciences
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery and Health Sciences
- School of Medicine
- School of Nursing and Midwifery
- School of Health Sciences
Faculty of Education and Philosophy & Theology
- School of Education
- School of Philosophy and Theology
Finances
The net assets owned by the university at the end of 2024 stood at Template:AUD.<ref name="2023 Financial Statement">Template:Cite web</ref> The university completed 2024 with revenues of Template:AUD and expenses of Template:AUD, for an excess in revenue of Template:AUD.<ref name="2023 Financial Statement" /> In 2024, the largest source of revenue came from annual grants provided by the federal, state and local governments followed by student fees.<ref name="2023 Financial Statement" /> Notre Dame is registered as an educational charitable organisation in Australia,<ref name="ACNC Charity Register">Template:Cite web</ref> with most of its revenue dedicated to the management and maintenance of the university.<ref name="2023 Financial Statement" />
Notre Dame was founded as a non-profit private university.<ref name="Legislation 1989" /><ref name="ACNC Charity Register" /> During its early years, it relied on private tuition and fundraising for scholarships.<ref name="Tannock 2014 p11" /> Starting in 1998, the federal government gradually began subsidising tuition and providing low-interest loans for students at the university.<ref name="Howard 2004 Broadway" /><ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> It was eventually granted Table A status in 2021 under the Higher Education Support Act 2003,<ref name="Table A Designation">Template:Cite web</ref> effectively treating it as a public university and allowing it to access additional funding.<ref name="HESA 2003 Tables">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Insignia
Notre Dame's crest is based on design notes taken by Father John Neill, a Trustee of the university from 1990 to 2009.<ref name="Objects and crest">Template:Cite web</ref> The crest displays an open Bible at its core with the opening verse from the Gospel of John inscribed in Latin that reads In principio erat Verbum, translated "In the beginning was the Word".<ref name="Objects and crest" /> The verse was chosen as the motto to symbolise everything that exists beginning as an idea.<ref name="Objects and crest" />
The waves below the open Bible and the Commonwealth Star represent the port city of Fremantle, where the university was founded, and Australia as a nation surrounded by water.<ref name="Objects and crest" /> The symbols are affixed to an Oxford Blue badge over a Cambridge Blue Greek cross surrounded by a gold band that reads the university name.<ref name="Objects and crest" /> The shades are not exact and are also used in branding as "Navy Blue" and "Sky Blue" respectively, which together with Gold forms its brand colours.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The badge is occasionally used separately<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but the full crest is used in official documents, including testamurs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Broome campus also has its own branding which uses "Pindan Orange", navy blue and integrates Aboriginal art.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Academic profile
Notre Dame is a publicly funded university<ref name="HESA 2003 Tables" /><ref name="Table A Designation" /> and a member of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> International Council of Universities of Saint Thomas Aquinas<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the International Federation of Catholic Universities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It functions on a semester system, operating year-round on academic semesters, summer and winter schools.<ref name="Calendars" /> It is also affiliated with several Catholic organisations in Australia including St John of God Health Care and the National Catholic Education Commission.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the 2023 academic year, it employed 790 full-time equivalent staff, 370 of whom were academic staff and the remaining 417 non-academic staff.<ref name="Annual Report 2023" /> The recognised trade union at Notre Dame is the National Tertiary Education Union which has a branch at its Fremantle campus and a branch committee in Sydney.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is responsible for negotiating the Enterprise Agreement with the university.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The university also has international staff exchange agreements with universities outside Australia,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> including NDUS and its Global Gateways.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="NDUS Exchange" />
Study programs
Notre Dame offers study programs in the fields of commerce, healthcare, education, information technology, psychology, law, medicine, sports science and several fields in the arts and sciences.<ref name="Undergraduate guide">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Postgraduate guide">Template:Cite web</ref> Some programs can be combined into "double degrees" or include additional majors.<ref name="Undergraduate guide" /> The university also offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) among other research programs.<ref name="Postgraduate guide" />
Research institutes
Notre Dame operates three discipline-specific research institutes in partnership with other research institutions and private enterprises.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> These include:
Institute for Ethics and Society
The Institute for Ethics and Society is a research institute in ethics, philosophy and social sciences based at the Sydney campus on Broadway.<ref name="Ethics Society Institute">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its key research themes are: Moral Philosophy and Ethics Education; Bioethics and Healthcare Ethics; and Religion, Culture and Society.<ref name="Ethics Society Institute" /> It also runs lecture series and events<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> including the Scholarship at the Cathedral lectures at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and hosts visiting scholars from overseas universities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:As of, its director was philosophy professor Renee Kohler-Ryan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2024, Notre Dame launched the Centre for the History of Philosophy in partnership with NDUS' History of Philosophy Forum.<ref name="Comini 2024">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its research areas broadly involve the history of philosophy,<ref name="Middleton 2024">Template:Cite web</ref> with a stated aim of "exploring the deepest and oldest questions".<ref name="Comini 2024" /> The inaugural lecture was given by NDUS associate professor Therese Scarpelli Cory.<ref name="Middleton 2024" /> The university has also jointly operated the Benedict XVI Centre for Religion and Society with St Mary's University, Twickenham since 2015.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Institute for Health Research
The Institute for Health Research is Notre Dame's research institute in health and biomedical science.<ref name="Health Institute">Template:Cite web</ref> Its stated aim is to "[improve] the health and quality of life of vulnerable persons".<ref name="Health Institute" /> Its research themes include areas of bone health, cancer research, cardiology, chronic conditions, developmental disorders, disability, homelessness,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> motor disorders, musculoskeletal injuries, psychiatry, ageing and palliative care among others.<ref name="Health Institute" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The university is also one of the partners of the Raine Study,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> one of the largest cohorts in the world examining pregnancy, childhood, adolescence and early adulthood.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It also runs the National Echo Database Australia, the largest database of echocardiograms to date.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:As of, its director was psychiatrist and epidemiologist Osvaldo P. Almeida.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Nulungu Research Institute
The Nulungu Research Institute is a research institute with the stated aim to conduct "research which is transformative, decolonising and of value to Aboriginal people" that "provides an Indigenous research and academic focus for the entire University".<ref name="Nulungu Institute">Template:Cite web</ref> Its key research areas are Aboriginal Wellbeing; Culture Country and Language; Transformational Education; Policy, Practice and Evaluation; and Sustainable Lifeways and Social Justice.<ref name="Nulungu Institute" /> Nulungu, which translates to "meeting place", is named after a waterhole that served as a pre-colonial meeting place for Aboriginal groups in the nearby Roebuck Plains.<ref name="About Nulungu Institute">Template:Cite web</ref> Indigenous Australian culture,Template:Efn history, knowledge, perspectives and practices are central to the institute and its research.<ref name="About Nulungu Institute" /> It runs on an open access basis and follows The Nulungu Way, a set of principles based on community, transparency and respect which acts as its framework.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:As of, its director was historian and archaeologist Melissa Marshall.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Library system
Notre Dame has five libraries that are spread across its three campuses.<ref name="University Library" /> In addition to its own collections, staff and students at the university have online access to journals and other electronic resources.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It also has reciprocal borrowing arrangements with other university libraries in Australia and New ZealandTemplate:Efn and participates in the AARNet Eduroam Wi-Fi roaming service.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In Fremantle, libraries include the main St Teresa's Library and the Galvin Medical Library.<ref name="University Library">Template:Cite web</ref> Libraries on the Sydney campus include St Benedict's Library on the Broadway site and the Benedict XVI Medical Library on the Darlinghurst site.<ref name="Library Contacts">Template:Cite web</ref> The Broome Campus Library is the sole library on the Broome campus.<ref name="University Library" />
St Teresa's Library
St Teresa's Library in Fremantle was converted from a heritage-listed warehouse constructed in 1900 on land owned by John Bateman for Bateman Hardware.<ref name="Fairweather 2015">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is named after the former St Teresa's College in Minnesota (United States) from where over 170,000 printed works were purchased for the library.<ref name="Tannock 2014 p12" /><ref name="Malloy 2007c p9">Template:Harvtxt</ref><ref name="Devine 2006" /> The NDUS Librarian had informed UNDA of the closure in 1989 and US$1 million was raised to acquire its collection.<ref name="Tannock 2014 p12" /><ref name="Malloy 2007c p9" /> The building was first adapted to become a university library in 1994 when only limited, low-cost adaptive re-use works could be afforded, and was renovated in 2011 when a Template:Convert second floor was fitted into the site.<ref name="Fairweather 2015" /> In 2024, it was renovated extensively and now forms part of a redeveloped student hub situated in the Bateman Courtyard,<ref name="Student Hub Archived Renovations">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> in between Henry and Mouat Street.<ref name="Fremantle Map" />
Craven Law Library
The Craven Law Library was the law library on the Fremantle campus.<ref name="Anderson Craven Library">Template:Cite web</ref> Established in 1997, the library held a print collection of legal works from Australian and overseas sources.<ref name="Anderson Craven Library" /> In 2003, it was renamed to the Craven Law Library after Greg Craven, the founding dean of Notre Dame's law school.<ref name="Anderson Craven Library" /> During restoration works in 2023, the original hand-painted signage reading J & W Bateman Ltd. was revealed preserved under several layers of removed paint.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The shipping company, which was dominant in the early colony,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> had previously used the building as a storage site since the 1890s.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The building underwent renovations in 2024 to include a new moot court, tutorial rooms and study spaces.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was subsequently renamed to the Craven Law Centre and its collection was moved to a partition in St Teresa's Library.<ref name="Anderson Craven Library" />
Galvin Medical Library
The Galvin Medical Library in Fremantle is contained within the School of Medicine,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> a heritage listed building designed by architect Frederick Burwell.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is home to the books and other resources in the fields of medicine, nursing and allied health.<ref name="Anderson Galvin Library">Template:Cite web</ref> Constructed from 1900 onward, the building was known as Fowler's Warehouse and served as the principal premises in Western Australia for D. & J. Fowler Ltd., the wholesale grocery company.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The library was opened in 2005 after Notre Dame took over its lease from the City of Fremantle.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is named after the Galvin family, an early donor to the School of Medicine's establishment,<ref>Template:Harvtxt</ref> and extends from 38 to 40 Henry Street to the adjacent Pakenham Street.<ref name="Gillard 2023">Template:Cite web</ref> Its has a wide entrance which at Template:Convert was originally designed to accommodate two loaded horse-drawn wagons.<ref name="Gillard 2023" />
St Benedict's Library
St Benedict's Library, on the Broadway site, is one of two libraries on the Sydney campus.<ref name="Library Contacts" /> It is home to the books and other resources in the fields of commerce, education, law, philosophy, theology, the arts and sciences.<ref name="Perera Undated">Template:Cite web</ref> It was initially located in the main academic building but moved to the Canavan Hall,<ref name="Perera Undated" /> situated on Grafton Street, in late 2011.<ref name="Broadway Campus Map" /><ref name="Tannock 2014 p26" /> The new library was converted from an old Template:Convert warehouse<ref name="St Benedicts Library Design" /> which was donated by the Sydney Catholic Education Office.<ref name="Tannock 2014 p26" /> The library underwent substantial renovations in 2020.<ref name="St Benedicts Library Design" /><ref name="St Benedicts Library Photos">Template:Cite web</ref>
Benedict XVI Medical Library
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The Benedict XVI Medical Library, on the Darlinghurst site, is one of two libraries on the Sydney campus.<ref name="Library Contacts" /> It is housed in the Darlinghurst Hall of the former Sacred Heart School, which was constructed in 1880 and was used by the school until it ceased operations in 1986.<ref name="About Benedict Medical Library">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Benedict XVI" /> The school, and the adjacent St Vincent's Hospital, were both originally operated by the Sisters of Charity of Australia.<ref name="Benedict XVI">Template:Cite web</ref> Notre Dame assumed control of the site sometime between 2004 and 2005,<ref name="Benedict XVI" /> though the Darlinghurst site didn't open until 2008.<ref name="Darlinghurst Opening" /> It houses books and other resources in the fields of medicine, nursing, pre-clinical sciences, ethics, philosophy and theology.<ref name="About Benedict Medical Library" /> It is situated on 160 Oxford Street,<ref name="Darlinghurst Campus Map" /> next to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and named after Pope Benedict XVI who blessed the site following its opening.<ref name="Tannock 2014 p27" /><ref name="Remembering Benedict XVI" />
Broome Campus Library
The Broome Campus Library is Notre Dame's sole library at the Broome campus.<ref name="University Library" /> The original library was opened in 1994 at the former student residences of Nulungu Catholic College.<ref name="Brabender 2024" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="About Broome Library">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Nulungu Girls 50th">Template:Cite web</ref> The secondary boarding school merged with other entities and renamed to St Mary's College the following year,<ref name="Nulungu Girls 50th" /><ref name="Brabender 2024" /> opening a new residential facility in 2008.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Due to space limitations, the library moved into a new purpose-built building in 2005.<ref name="About Broome Library" /> At the time of opening, it was the largest library in the Kimberley region.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It also hosts a collection of Aboriginal artwork, sculptures and other artefacts, some of which are on display.<ref name="WAnderland Library" />
Accreditation
Notre Dame possesses self-accrediting authority from the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and also has numerous additional specialised accreditations for its programs. Its teacher education programs are accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its law programs are accredited by the relevant lawyer registration boardsTemplate:Efn in New South Wales and Western Australia.<ref name="NSW Law Board">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="WA Law Board">Template:Cite web</ref> Its two medical schools are accredited individually by the Australian Medical Council,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and other healthcare programs with the relevant National Board of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency or their affiliated agencies.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In mid-2024, Notre Dame launched its first computer science program<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which is in the process of being accredited by the Australian Computer Society.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Most programs are also recognised in other states, territories and New Zealand through reciprocal arrangements.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Tasman Agreement" />
Academic calendar
The academic year at Notre Dame is divided into two semesters, with summer and winter terms in between.<ref name="Calendars">Template:Cite web</ref> The first semester runs from February to May and the second semester from July to October, each followed by two study weeks and two examination weeks.<ref name="Calendars" /> All terms start on a Monday excluding national or state-specific public holidays.<ref name="Calendars" /> The weeks of term are called "Teaching Weeks", numbered from 1 to 13, excluding study and examination weeks.<ref name="Calendars" /> Additionally, there is an "Orientation Week", informally known as "O-Week", for first-year students prior to the start of each semester.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Certain courses in healthcare and education adopt different academic calendars.<ref name="Calendars" /> Students in these courses also have mandatory attendance requirements,<ref name="Student Absences">Template:Cite web</ref> including placements and clinical practicums,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> required to meet their academic requirements at the university.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As such, deans must be satisfied that each student has attended all necessary tutorials, workshops and practical work throughout the semester and non-standard study periods.<ref name="Student Absences" />
Tuition, loans and financial aid
For international students starting in 2025, tuition fees range from Template:AUD to Template:AUD per academic year depending on the field of study.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Domestic studentsTemplate:Efn may be offered a federally-subsidised Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) which substantially decreases the student contribution amount billed to the student.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The maximum student contribution amount limits that can be applied to CSP students are dependent on the field of study.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Since 2021, Commonwealth Supported Places have also been limited to 7 years of equivalent full-time study load (EFTSL), calculated in the form of Student Learning Entitlement (SLE).<ref name="Student Learning Entitlement" /> Students may accrue additional SLE under some circumstances (e.g. starting a separate one-year honours program) or every 10 years.<ref name="Student Learning Entitlement" /> Domestic students are also able to access the HECS-HELP student loans scheme offered by the federal government.<ref name="Student loans">Template:Cite web</ref> These are indexed to the Consumer or Wage Price Index, whichever is lower, and repayments are voluntary until the recipient passes an income threshold.<ref name="Student loans" />
Notre Dame also offers several scholarships, which come in the form of bursaries or tuition fee remission.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Domestic students studying full-time may also receive social security payments for the duration of their studies<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and there is a Relocation Scholarship for students moving to or from a regional areas in Australia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Admissions
Notre Dame offers two routes for students to apply: a direct application and an application submitted through a shared admissions portal.<ref name="How to apply">Template:Cite web</ref> Applicants who want an earlier, binding decision can apply via the Young Achievers Early Offer Program; others apply through regular decision.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) is the administrative body processing applications for prospective students in Western Australia and the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) manages applications in New South Wales.<ref name="How to apply" /> Additionally, students applying for postgraduate medicine can apply via the Graduate Entry Medical School Admissions System (GEMSAS) or the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).<ref name="How to apply" />
Notre Dame considers various factors in its admissions process including a competitive Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or equivalent, a Grade Point Average (GPA) from prior higher education, vocational qualifications, competitive scores from a Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) and prior work experience.<ref name="Admissions">Template:Cite web</ref> Additionally, the Tertiary Pathway Program is a bridging program that provides direct entry into most courses, including a nursing stream.<ref name="Tertiary Pathway Program">Template:Cite web</ref> The program, which is free for domestic students, is available during ordinary semesters or over an intensive summer school prior to the start of the formal academic year.<ref name="Tertiary Pathway Program" /> It is also open for concurrent studies to high school students during Year 12 as part of the UniPath program.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Widening access
Direct applications don't have a fee<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and can include a portfolio, which replaced personal interviews,<ref name="Devine 2006" /> used to determine individual qualities about the applicant.<ref name="Adjustment factors">Template:Cite web</ref> Areas assessed include personal qualities, contribution to community and life experiences.<ref name="Adjustment factors" /> These factors can affect the applicant's selection rank by means of additional points granted to their selection rank.<ref name="Adjustment factors" /> Some adjustment factors include participation in extracurricular activities, the creative arts, volunteer work, sports, elite athlete status, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status, work experience, military service in the Australian Defence Force and socio-economic disadvantage.<ref name="Adjustment factors" /> Overall, a total of up to 10 adjustment factor points may be granted.<ref name="Adjustment factors" />
The median ATAR for undergraduates admitted into Notre Dame programsTemplate:Efn in the first semester of 2024 was 82.5 (84.85 with adjustment factors), with a low of 59.25 (65.15 with adjustment factors) and high of 99.65 (99.95 with adjustment factors).<ref name="Selection profile">Template:Cite web</ref>
Academic reputation
Template:Infobox Australian university rankingNotre Dame is placed lower than almost all Australian universities on national and international ranking publications.
- National publications
In the Australian Financial Review Best Universities Ranking 2024, Notre Dame was ranked 36th amongst Australian universities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Global publications
In the 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (published 2025), Notre Dame was ranked #1201–1400 in the world.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 (published 2025), Notre Dame was ranked #801–1000 in the world.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the 2025–2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities, Notre Dame was ranked 1592nd in the world.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Student outcomes
The Australian Government's QILTTemplate:Efn conducts national surveys documenting the student life cycle from enrolment through to employment.<ref name="About QILT" /> These surveys place more emphasis on criteria such as student experience, graduate outcomes and employer satisfaction<ref name="About QILT">Template:Cite web</ref> than perceived reputation, research output and citation counts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the 2023 Employer Satisfaction Survey, Notre Dame graduates had an overall employer satisfaction rate of 84.9%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey, Notre Dame had a full-time employment rate of 86.5% for undergraduates and 94.1% for postgraduates.<ref name="GOS Survey 2023">Template:Cite web</ref> The initial full-time salary was Template:AUD for undergraduates and Template:AUD for postgraduates.<ref name="GOS Survey 2023" />
In the 2023 Student Experience Survey, Notre Dame undergraduates rated the quality of their entire educational experience at 78% meanwhile postgraduates rated their overall education experience at 78.3%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Graduation
Notre Dame divides its graduation into two events.<ref name="Graduation FAQs">Template:Cite web</ref> Students receive a handmade jarrah cross<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> during a graduation Mass and their testamurs at a second ceremony.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The tradition was started in 1998 following a visit to a NDUS Alliance for Catholic Education graduation ceremony by then vice-chancellor Peter Tannock, where students received an icon of Christ.<ref name="In Principio 2012" /> The cross is identical to the wooden crosses hung in rooms across its campuses and clinical schools.<ref name="In Principio 2012" />
In Perth, graduation events are held at St Mary's Cathedral, Perth, for the graduation Mass and the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre for the graduation ceremony.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Mass is also occasionally held at St Patrick's Basilica, Fremantle which is closer to the campus.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In Sydney, graduation events are held at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, for graduation Mass and the International Convention Centre Sydney for the graduation ceremony.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In Broome, graduation events are held on the same day at Nulungu Chapel for graduation Mass and another area on campus for the graduation ceremony.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Graduates wear a gown, over a semi-formal dress code, during graduation Mass and the full academic regalia during the following graduation ceremony.<ref name="Graduation FAQs" />
Honours, distinction and medals
High-performing students at Notre Dame can have their scholastic distinctions be recognised at graduation on their testamurs and official transcripts.<ref name="General Regulations">Template:Cite web</ref> Graduates must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25/4 to graduate with Distinction or a cumulative GPA of 3.5/4 or higher to graduate with High Distinction.<ref name="General Regulations" />
Students who achieve a 70% or higher weighted average mark (WAM) may be invited to complete an honours supervised research program.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> These are graded in classes (e.g. First Class Honours)<ref name="General Regulations" /> and qualify students to enrol in research degrees such as Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Students receive an additional 1 SLETemplate:Efn for appended honours.<ref name="Student Learning Entitlement">Template:Cite web</ref>
Graduates who achieve the highest WAM in each state also receive the University Medal.<ref name="University Medal">Template:Cite web</ref> There are also additional medals for students of each teaching school at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.<ref name="University Medal" />
Student life
Religious atmosphere
Sacred_Heart_Church_Darlinghurst-20.jpg){kind=link}
While having a religious affiliation is not a criterion for admission,<ref name="Admissions" /> Notre Dame identifies as a Roman Catholic university with a Catholic core curriculum<ref name="Core Curriculum">Template:Cite web</ref> and religious extracurricular activities outside of academic studies.<ref name="Chaplaincy">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Topliss 2024" /> It also follows the Ex corde Ecclesiae,<ref name="Statutes 2023" /> an apostolic constitution for Catholic universities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Chaplaincy
Notre Dame has a church or chapel across its four main sites, each with a designated chaplain.<ref name="Chaplaincy" /> These include the Holy Spirit Chapel in Fremantle,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> St Benedict's Catholic Church on Broadway,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Darlinghurst<ref name="Benedict XVI" /> and the Nulungu Chapel in Broome.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The sites in Fremantle and Sydney are also open to the public as places of worship<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and run regular Mass services throughout the week.<ref name="Chaplaincy" />
The stated purpose of the Chaplaincy is to "[provide] opportunities for all Notre Dame students to explore and develop a life of faith".<ref name="Chaplaincy" /> It offers programming for Catholic liturgical services and traditions including Mass, sacraments, communal prayer, worship, group bible study, choir, music and social ministry.<ref name="Chaplaincy" /> Its traditions include a Month of Remembrance, to commemorate those who have died, and the annual Blessing of the Fleet in Fremantle.<ref name="Chaplaincy" />
Core curriculum
All students at Notre Dame are required to complete the Catholic-inspired core curriculum,<ref name="Devine 2006" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which aims to develop graduate attributes within a liberal arts context.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> For undergraduates pursuing bachelor's degrees, this includes two courses in philosophy and theology.<ref name="Core Curriculum" /> During the first year, it includes Foundations of Wisdom which aims to "explore the ideas, beliefs and means of thinking in the Catholic Liberal intellectual and spiritual tradition".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the subsequent years, students have the option to enrol in a cognate elective, pilgrimage, charity, community service or an "international experience".<ref name="Core Curriculum" /> The latter includes travel to either Broome or an overseas location and can be undertaken within an intensive four-week period.<ref name="Core Curriculum" /> Postgraduate students are only required to complete one core curriculum elective from the same options.<ref name="Core Curriculum" />
Study retreats
The Chaplaincy also runs study retreats each semester outside of its campuses.<ref name="Study retreats">Template:Cite web</ref> These usually last four days during the pre-examination study week and allow students to prepare or work on assignments outside of the city centres.<ref name="Study retreats" /> The retreats also include scenic walks, social activities and time for prayer, sacraments and spiritual reflection.<ref name="Study retreats" />
For students in Perth,<ref name="Study retreats" /> study retreats are held at the New Norcia Benedictine Community in New Norcia located approximately Template:Convert north of the city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Founded in 1847 by Spanish Benedictine monks, it is the only monastic town in Australia<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and is home to several heritage and religious sites.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
For students in Sydney,<ref name="Study retreats" /> venues alternate between Mount Carmel Retreat Centre during the first semester<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the Hartzer Park Conference and Retreat Centre during the second.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Mount Carmel Retreat Centre was founded in 1965 by Carmelitre Friars<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and is located in Varroville on the outer fringes of Western Sydney.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Hartzer Park Conference and Retreat Centre is a Template:Convert site in Bowral,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> a town in the Southern Highlands of regional New South Wales.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is named after Marie Louise Hartzer, the first superior general of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, who have owned the site since 1947.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Personal development
The Notre Dame Volunteer Network in Fremantle oversees volunteer projects in Perth and the surrounding area.<ref name="Volunteering">Template:Cite web</ref> It connects staff and student volunteers to non-profit organisations in need of support.<ref name="Volunteering" /> Similar opportunities are also available to students in Sydney through partner organisations.<ref name="Volunteering" /> There is also a student mentorship program.<ref name="Volunteering" />
Students can also participate in the In Altum personal and career development program offered by the Chaplaincy.<ref name="Wesselinoff 2022">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Topliss 2024">Template:Cite journal</ref> It incorporates volunteering and leadership skills with the stated aim to help students "develop spiritually, to identify their own passions and gifts, and to serve the Church in a meaningful way".<ref name="In Altum Program">Template:Cite web</ref> The program involves contributing with Chaplaincy activities or a project of choice, attending formation sessions and group meetings, receiving mentorship from the Chaplaincy, taking part in a Chaplaincy Spiritual Retreat and committing to a personal prayer.<ref name="In Altum Program" /><ref name="Wesselinoff 2022" /> Personal projects can include liturgical activities, music ministry, organising events, leading small groups, community outreach, running movie and game nights or creating arts, crafts or other media.<ref name="In Altum Program" /> The program lasts for one semester and runs outside of formal academic programs.<ref name="In Altum Program" />
In Altum, from the Latin duc in altum, translates to "into the deep" or "into higher things" from Luke 5:4.<ref name="Wesselinoff 2022" /><ref name="In Altum Program" /> It is a quote attributed to Jesus which is similar to the "give a man a fish" proverb but within a religious context.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Student demographics
In the 2023 academic year, Notre Dame had an enrolment of 11,579 students divided between its three campuses including 4,367 commencing students.<ref name="Annual Report 2023">Template:Cite web</ref> The equivalent full-time study load (EFTSL)Template:Efn was 6,486 for undergraduate students and 1,884 for postgraduate students.<ref name="Annual Report 2023" /> The student population is largely made up of domestic students,Template:Efn with a total of 411 EFTSL international students.<ref name="Annual Report 2023" /> These statistics don't take into account external students enrolled via Open Universities Australia.<ref name="Annual Report 2023" /> Students identifying as Catholic have historically accounted for a majority of the student population, making up approximately 60% of those enrolled during the mid-2000s.<ref name="Devine 2006" />
Student association
The Student Association of the University of Notre Dame Australia has two branches, each representing students in Perth or Sydney.<ref name="SAUNDA Constitution">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="NDSA Constitution">Template:Cite web</ref> They operate both as the representative voice for students and as a provider of a wide range of services.<ref name="SAUNDA Constitution" /><ref name="NDSA Constitution" /> They are democratically controlled through General Meetings and elections, and are run by elected student officers.<ref name="SAUNDA Constitution" /><ref name="NDSA Constitution" /> The associations also support a range of services, including numerous clubs and societies, events, sports and advice services.<ref name="SAUNDA Constitution" /><ref name="NDSA Constitution" />
The Sydney branch of the Student Association of the University of Notre Dame Australia (SAUNDA) represents students at the Sydney sites meanwhile the Perth branch in Fremantle is abbreviated as the Notre Dame Student Association (NDSA).<ref name="SAUNDA Constitution" /><ref name="NDSA Constitution" /> Both associations have separate student-run clubs and societies,<ref name="Sydney Clubs">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Perth Clubs">Template:Cite web</ref> and are governed independently.<ref name="SAUNDA Constitution" /><ref name="NDSA Constitution" />
Since mid-2024, both branches have been funded through the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) similarly to other publicly funded universities in Australia.<ref name="SSAF Introduction">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> For domestic students, it is deferable through a federal SA-HELP student loan and international students are able to apply for the Student Hardship Fund or other support services.<ref name="SSAF Introduction" /> The timing of its introduction faced some criticism from students at the Fremantle campus during cost-of-living pressures and renovations deeming the main library closed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Clubs and societies
Template:As of, there are 22 clubs and societies affiliated with the student association at the Sydney branch and 17 at the Perth branch.<ref name="Sydney Clubs" /><ref name="Perth Clubs" /> Students can also organise new clubs and societies by registering them with the association, which is responsible for funding and monitoring their activities.<ref name="SAUNDA Constitution" /><ref name="NDSA Constitution" /> This approval process does not authorise them to act on behalf of the university or student association, nor does approval indicate their agreement with their purpose.<ref name="SAUNDA Constitution" /><ref name="NDSA Constitution" /> Additionally, the student association is responsible to ensure their compliance with the university objects and other policies.<ref name="SAUNDA Constitution" /><ref name="NDSA Constitution" />
During the 2010s, the university prevented student clubs supporting marriage equality from registering.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The ban was lifted in 2019 and the Stripes LGBTQ+ student club was founded that same year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Student media
Template:Main Quasimodo, preceded by The Ru'bric from 1996 to 1997,<ref name="Quasimodo Volume 2 Issue 1">Template:Cite web</ref> was a student-run magazine at Notre Dame.<ref name="van Opstal 2005">Template:Cite web</ref> The magazine took its name from Quasimodo, Victor Hugo's fictional bell-ringer and protagonist of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.<ref name="Quasimodo Volume 2 Issue 1" />
In 2005, former editor Chris Bailey charged that the university's Catholic hierarchy sought to restrict the range of topics discussed in the magazine, including "abortion, contraception and gay unions".<ref name="van Opstal 2005" /> Future issues were vetted by a review committee of university and student representatives – "Quasimodo now is very much G-rated" as a result, Bailey claimed, with censorship "being extended to include most sexual references, profane language and even criticism of the university".<ref name="van Opstal 2005" />
One issue of the magazine, containing an article on the morning-after pill, was banned by then vice-chancellor Peter Tannock, with Bailey claiming that he and other contributors were "unofficially told by university staff that students involved in defying the university may be kicked out of uni."<ref name="van Opstal 2005" /> Tannock later stated that academic freedom, including "a fair bit" of supposed anti-Catholic activity, would be respected at the religious institution when it sought to open a medical school that year.<ref name="Devine 2006" />
The university also ran its own publications including In Principio,Template:Efn a former bi-annual university magazine,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and a small number of open access journals with varying levels of activity.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Sport and athletics
The Notre Dame Knights<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref> compete in inter-university fixtures in the UniSport Nationals competition in a range of sports, including beach volleyball, futsal, golf, hockey, netball, rowing, squash, ten-pin bowling, touch football and volleyball among other events.<ref name="Sports and recreation">Template:Cite web</ref> It also competes in the state-level NSW Intervarsity in New South Wales<ref name="Sports and recreation" /> and the Western Series in Western Australia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The university is also a member of the Elite Athlete University Network and provides additional adjustment factors, early entry and greater flexibility during studies to registered elite athletes and coaches.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Student accommodation
The university has limited on-campus housing capacity and relies on external student accommodation providers.<ref name="Student accommodation">Template:Cite web</ref>
Western Australia
The Port Lodge student housing facility is located at 28 Marine Terrace in Fremantle and comprises 25 beds in single and shared rooms.<ref name="Student accommodation" /> It was originally established as Sailors' RestTemplate:Efn in 1892 for seafarers travelling to the port city.<ref name="Western Mail 1892">Template:Cite news</ref> It began construction in 1899 when then state premier John Forrest laid the foundation stone.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was the precursor to the Flying Angel Club on Queen Victoria Street and was run by Rosa Henriques Smith, a social worker who was active at the ports.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The university previously had an alcohol ban in place which was relaxed in 2019 to prevent students from "drinking on the street".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
There are also other private student accommodation providers situated closer to the Perth CBD<ref name="Student accommodation" /> and most residential colleges at the University of Western Australia also accept applicants from other universities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Broome campus occupies the site of a former boarding school.<ref name="Brabender 2024" /> It includes a Village, comprising nine houses with five bedrooms each, and a Hostel with single and shared rooms.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
New South Wales
The Sydney sites are located closer to the CBD where there are more private student accommodation providers located within proximity.<ref name="Student accommodation" /> The Sancta Sophia College at the University of Sydney also accepts applicants from Notre Dame<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and St Paul's College accepts applications from medical students at the university.<ref name="Student accommodation" />
Exchange programs
Notre Dame offers students the opportunity to study abroad at partner institutions with which it maintains international exchange agreements.<ref name="Exchange programs">Template:Cite web</ref> The exchanges are open to students who have completed at least one semester at the university and whose degree permits studies abroad with a suitable course combination that can be credited towards their program.<ref name="Exchange programs" /> Applicants are usually required to have achieved a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5/4 or higher and must study full-time when abroad.<ref name="Exchange programs" /> Additionally, students enrolled in some healthcare courses have restrictions in place.<ref name="Exchange programs" /> Students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) can also apply for OS-HELP student loans to cover travel, accommodation and study-related costs.<ref name="OS-HELP">Template:Cite web</ref> There is a lifetime limit of two OS-HELP loans, with higher caps for students opting to study in Asia.<ref name="OS-HELP" /> OS-HELP loans are indexed similarly to HECS-HELP student loans with compulsory repayments over an income threshold.<ref name="OS-HELP" />
Notre Dame USA
The university had maintained student exchange arrangements with the University of Notre Dame in Indiana since its inception.<ref name="Brown 2023" /> The arrangements were expanded in 2022 to allow students from both institutions to study abroad at the other while retaining grades and without additional tuition.<ref name="NDUS Exchange">Template:Cite web</ref> This included NDUS' Global Gateways in Europe, Asia and Latin America.<ref name="NDUS Exchange" />
Transportation
In Perth, the Fremantle campus is served by the adjacent Fremantle railway station which is the terminus for the Fremantle line.<ref name="Fremantle Map">Template:Cite web</ref> The railway station, which also has bus services,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> connects the university to the rest of the Transperth network.<ref name="Lewi 2018 p291" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Sydney sites are served by buses connecting to nearby railway stations and other parts of the city.<ref name="Sydney Campus">Template:Cite web</ref> The Broadway site is closest to the Central and Redfern railway stations meanwhile the Darlinghurst site is near Kings Cross railway station.<ref name="Sydney Campus" />
The regional Broome campus has limited public transport infrastructure.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Notable people
Notable alumni
Template:As of, Notre Dame has over 37,000 alumni.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Politicians who have held office at a state or federal level include Caitin Collins,<ref name="Caitlin Mary Collins">Template:Cite web</ref> Emily Hamilton,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> James Griffin,<ref name="James Henry Griffin">Template:Cite web</ref> Matt Keogh<ref name="Matthew James Keogh">Template:Cite web</ref> and Stephen Pratt.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sportspeople who have played or managed professional sports include Fiona Boyce,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Giancarlo Italiano,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Marty Roebuck,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Ricky Grace,<ref name="Ricky Grace">Template:Cite web</ref> Scott Whiting,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sean Terry<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Nathan Williamson.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Athletes who have competed in the Olympic and Paralympic games include Aiden Roach,<ref name="Alumni November 2021">Template:Cite book</ref> Alessandra Ho,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Brianna Throssell,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Emily Rogers,<ref name="Alumni November 2021" /> Jackson Hamilton,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Lauren Mitchell,<ref name="Cullen 2014">Template:Cite news</ref> Lucy Chaffer,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Nina Kennedy<ref name="Nina Kennedy">Template:Cite web</ref> and Toby Kane.<ref name="D'Souza 2014">Template:Cite book</ref> Other notable alumni include singer-songwriter Fantine,<ref name="Urankar 2011">Template:Cite news</ref> actress Gracie Gilbert,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> social activist June Oscar,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> theologian Graham Hill,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> educator Kylie Sturgess<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and physician-inventor Kirby White.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Academics and staff
A number of notable academics and staff have worked at Notre Dame across various cognate fields. Academics in health and medicine have included Asha Bowen,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> David Kissane,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Gordian Fulde,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Joe McGirr,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Munjed Al Muderis,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Nadia Badawi,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Nikki Bart<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Richard Parkinson.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Lawyers, judges and politicians have included Celia Hammond,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> David Malcolm,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Greg Craven<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Pat Dodson.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Philosophers and ethicists who have taught at the university include Andy Lamey,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Bernadette Tobin,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Iain Benson,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Peter Harrison<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Margaret Somerville.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Religious scholars have included Andrew McGowan,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Anthony Fisher,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Elizabeth Boase,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Janette Gray,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Robert McGuckin,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Richard Umbers,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Timothy Costelloe<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Tracey Rowland,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In exercise and sports science, academics have included Fleur McIntyre<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and John Bloomfield.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In sociology, academics have included Anna Poelina,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Cheryl Kickett-Tucker<ref>Template:Citation</ref> and Lyn Henderson-Yates.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Academics in communications and media have included Peter Kennedy<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Vivienne Garrett.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Honorary awards
The Board of Trustees has the ability to confer honorary degrees to "recognise distinguished achievements and contributions" in line with the university objects.<ref name="Honorary Titles">Template:Cite web</ref> Although it grants the recipient the titles "Honorary Doctor" and "Hon Dr", it is an award not formally recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework.<ref name="Honorary Titles" /> There are also variants that can be awarded for "notable eminence" in particular fields and for "significant and sustained contributions to society and humanitarian service".<ref name="Honorary Titles" />
Notable recipients have included human rights advocates, religious figures, academics, writers, healthcare workers, retired politicians and diplomats, those associated with Notre Dame's founding or advancement and several members of the NDUS.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Additionally, certain emeritus titles can also be awarded to staff for their service to the university.<ref name="Honorary Titles" />
See also
Notes
References
Sources
- Template:Cite journal
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External links
- Template:Official website
- Accredition information at Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency
- Student Association of the University of Notre Dame Australia at Sydney
- Notre Dame Student Association at Perth
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