Australian Catholic University

Australian Catholic University Signadou Campus in the Canberra suburb of Watson

Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a public university in Australia. It has seven Australian campuses and also maintains a campus in Rome.<ref name="acu">Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Australian Catholic University was opened on 1 January 1991 following the amalgamation of four Catholic tertiary institutions in eastern Australia:<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

• Catholic College of Education Sydney, New South Wales
• Institute of Catholic Education, Victoria
• McAuley College, Queensland
• Signadou College of Education, Australian Capital Territory

These institutions had their origins in the mid-1800s, when religious orders and institutes became involved in preparing teachers for Catholic schools and, later, nurses for Catholic hospitals. Through a series of amalgamations, relocations, transfers of responsibilities and diocesan initiatives, more than 20 historical entities have contributed to the creation of the university.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Governance and structure

ACU's vice-chancellor and president, Zlatko Skrbis, is responsible for representing the university both nationally and internationally and for providing strategic leadership and management. He holds a PhD in Sociology.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Deputy vice-chancellors have delegated responsibility for assigned areas of policy. These areas are academic, administration and resources, and research.

Faculties and departments

Each faculty is headed by an executive dean and supported by a number of associate deans and heads of schools.

Campuses and buildings

ACU campus in Rome, Italy

ACU campus in Strathfield, New South Wales

ACU has seven campuses across Australia: Ballarat, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney (Blacktown, North Sydney, Strathfield) with a Leadership Centre in Adelaide and another in Townsville. In 2015, the university opened the Rome Centre, a collaboration with the Catholic University of America, located in Rome, Italy.<ref>"Rome Centre" Template:Webarchive, ACU website</ref>

The Mount St Mary Campus in Strathfield is heritage listed.<ref name=nswshr-1965>Template:Cite NSW SHR</ref>

Saint Teresa of Kolkata building at ACU's Melbourne campus, Victoria

ACU campus in North Sydney, New South Wales

Academic profile

ACU is a publicly funded university<ref name="Table A Designation">Template:Cite web</ref> 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> Most of its programs function on a semester system, operating year-round on academic semesters, summer and winter schools.<ref name="Study Periods 2025">Template:Cite web</ref> It is also affiliated with several Catholic organisations in Australia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In the 2024 academic year, it employed 2503.8 full-time equivalent staff, 1,207.8 of whom were academic staff and the remaining 1,296 non-academic staff.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The recognised trade union at ACU is the National Tertiary Education Union which represents staff through its offices across multiple states.<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>

Study programs

ACU offers study programs in the fields of commerce, healthcare, education, information technology, psychology, law and several fields in the arts and sciences.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Some programs can be combined into "double degrees" or include additional majors.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The university also offers a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) among other research programs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Accreditation

ACU 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 programsTemplate:Efn are accredited by the Queensland College of Teachers,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> NSW Education Standards Authority<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the Victorian Institute of Teaching.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its law programs are accredited by the relevant lawyer registration boardsTemplate:Efn in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.<ref name="Queensland Law Society">Template:Cite web</ref> Its information technology courses are accredited by the Australian Computer Society<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and healthcare programs with the relevant National Board of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency or their affiliated agencies.<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">Template:Cite web</ref>

Academic calendar

For most programs, the academic year at ACU is divided into two semesters, with summer and winter terms in between.<ref name="Study Periods 2025" /> The first semester runs from March to June and the second semester from August to November, including mid-semester vacation and examination weeks.<ref name="Calendar 2025">Template:Cite web</ref> All terms usually start on a Monday<ref name="Calendar 2025" /> and 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 adopt different academic calendars<ref name="Study Periods 2025" /> and students may also have additional mandatory attendance requirements, including placements and clinical practicums, required to meet their academic requirements at the university.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Tuition, loans and financial aid

For international students starting in 2025, tuition fees range from Template:AUD to Template:AUD per academic year for award programs lasting at least one year.<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">Template:Cite web</ref> 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" />

ACU 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

ACU offers two routes for students to apply depending on their circumstances: a direct application and an application submitted through a shared admissions portal.<ref name="Entry Requirements">Template:Cite web</ref> Applicants who want an earlier, binding decision can apply via the ACU Guarantee early offer program; others apply through regular decision.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC) and the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre (VTAC) are the administrative bodies processing applications for prospective students for the states of Queensland and Victoria respectively and the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) manages applications for New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.<ref name="Entry Requirements" />

ACU 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>Template:Cite web</ref> Alternatively, it also offers a number of bridging programs that provide direct entry into most courses.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Widening access

Applicants in certain cohorts, including those with elite athlete status<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> or socio-economic disadvantage, may also be eligible for additional adjustment factors granted to their overall selection rank.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> There are also alternative pathways available for applicants with military service in the Australian Defence Force.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Academic reputation

National publications

In the Australian Financial Review Best Universities Ranking 2024, the university was ranked #26 amongst Australian universities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Global publications

In the 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (published 2025), the university attained a position of #851–900 (33rd nationally).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 (published 2025), the university attained a tied position of #401–500 (tied 26–32nd nationally).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In the 2025 Academic Ranking of World Universities, the university attained a position of #601–700 (tied 26–27th nationally).<ref name="ARWU Rankings">Template:Cite web</ref>

In the 2025–2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities, the university attained a position of #354 (22nd nationally).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In the CWTS Leiden Ranking 2024,Template:Efn the university attained a position of #895 (28th nationally).<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, ACU graduates had an overall employer satisfaction rate of 88.9%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In the 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey, ACU had a full-time employment rate of 82.7% for undergraduates and 93.6% 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, ACU undergraduates rated the quality of their entire educational experience at 78% meanwhile postgraduates rated their overall education experience at 74.7%.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Scholastic distinctions

High-performing students at ACU can have their scholastic distinctions be recognised at graduation on their testamurs and official transcripts.<ref name="Academic Regulations">Template:Cite web</ref> Graduates must achieve a minimum weighted average mark (WAM) of 75% to graduate with Distinction or 85% or higher to graduate with High Distinction.<ref name="Academic Regulations" />

Students who achieve a cumulative GPA of 5.5 or higher may be eligible to complete an honours supervised research program.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> These are graded in classes (e.g. First Class Honours)<ref name="Academic 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 faculty also receive the University Medal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> There are also separate University Honours Medals for graduates who have completed an honours program.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Student life

While having a religious affiliation is not a criterion for admission,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> ACU identifies as a Roman Catholic university with a Catholic core curriculum<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and religious extracurricular activities outside of academic studies.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It also follows the Ex corde Ecclesiae,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> an apostolic constitution for Catholic universities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Campus ministry

ACU has a campus ministry and chapel across its seven Australian campuses (excluding Rome),<ref name="Campus Ministry">Template:Cite web</ref> each with a designated chaplain and/or pastoral associate.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> These include the Holy Spirit Chapel in Brisbane, Barron Memorial Chapel in Strathfield, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel in North Sydney, Signadou Chapel in Canberra, St Josephine Bakhita Chapel in Blacktown, St Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) Chapel in Melbourne and the St Thomas Aquinas Chapel in Ballarat.<ref name="Campus Ministry" /> The chapels are places of worship that run regular Mass services.<ref name="Campus Ministry" />

The stated purpose of the campus ministry is to "[provide] opportunities for students and staff to deepen their experience of faith and use their gifts and talents in service to the world".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> ACU offers programming for Catholic liturgical services and traditions including Mass, sacraments, communal prayer, worship, group bible study, choir, music and social ministry.<ref name="Campus Ministry" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It also runs pilgrimages and religious "immersion opportunities",<ref name="Campus Ministry" /> including an annual pilgrimage on World Youth Day.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Student union

Each ACU campus has a student representative council and there is a national student body called the Australian Catholic University National Students' Association (ACUNSA), which advocates on behalf of students both individually and collectively.

There are also International Student Representatives within ACUNSA, who connect ACU’s international students and collaborate with other universities across Australia and around the world. The first International Student Representative was Ira Kristanti, BBus, MBA, a Canadian international student who is now a founder and CEO based in Toronto, Canada.

Sports and athletics

The university hosts an annual national sporting event – the ACU Games – and students also compete in Australia's largest annual multisport event, the Australian University Games.

Controversies

Position on LGBT visibility

In March 2023, controversy broke out on campus when librarians were ordered to remove the rainbow flags that had been displayed across campuses. Staff and students wrote an open letter to the university's Vice-Chancellor Zlatko Skrbis claiming that his acts were "a direct affront to ACU's mission to act in truth and love in the pursuit of knowledge, the dignity of the human person, and the common good".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The university's position against LGBT visibility appeared consistent with its earlier refusal to allow the Gay and Lesbian Teachers and Students Association to establish an LGBT+ support group on its Strathfield campus,<ref>Leech, Graeme. (7 October 1992). 'Campus Rejects Gay Support Group'. Page 14: 'Higher Education'. The Australian.</ref> yet to depart from Pope Francis's increasingly affirming stance on LGBT topics. Francis's affirmative policy has been upheld by his successor, Pope Leo XIV.<ref>Template:Cite news.</ref>

AGS investigation

In July 2023, ACU launched an internal investigation into its contracts with Asset Group Solutions. AGS had provided security and cleaning services to ACU but its founder had been charged with corruption. Stephen Weller (Chief Operating Officer and Deputy-Vice Chancellor) had been warned in 2018 about AGS's conduct but did not act on those warnings.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> ACU responded by denying knowledge of AGS's criminal activities and has launched an internal investigation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Research supervisors

HDR students have objected to a change plan introduced in September 2023 that would eliminate positions occupied by their supervisors leaving them without supervisors with the relevant expertise for their projects.<ref name="Groch-2023">Template:Cite web</ref>

Job cuts

In September 2023, ACU announced plans to cut 113 full-time jobs, most of which were at the Melbourne campus. This was part of spending cuts intended to reduce a forecast $30 million deficit and respond to shrinking enrollments. The cuts were announced as a $250 million campus building, which was constructed to accommodate student and staff growth, neared completion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This has produced an international response in which many academics denounced the university. Timothy Williamson, a professor of philosophy at Oxford and Yale, told reporters that ACU's meteoric rise to the pinnacle of research in philosophy was "unprecedented" but that cuts would give ACU the reputation "as a Mickey Mouse university ... damaging the good international standing of the Australian university system as a whole".<ref name="Groch-2023"/>

Dean of Law School Removed for Pro-Choice Writings

In January 2024, ACU removed Kate Galloway AM, the newly appointed Dean of the Thomas More Law School, when it was discovered that she had pro-choice views. She was paid A$1.1 million to leave her position during a time when the university was facing financial turmoil and despite a 2019 model code that requires universities to respect the academic freedom of their staff.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Notable people

Notable alumni

• Matt Burke – former international rugby union player and sport presenter
• Ellie Cole – paralympic swimmer and wheelchair basketball player
• Ben Cummins – former rugby league referee
• Martin Dixon – politician
• Sean Eadie – retired professional track cyclist
• Paul Field – musician, filmmaker and author
• Sam Hibbins – politician
• Kristina Keneally – politician
• John Kennedy – politician
• Justin Madden – former Australian rules footballer and state politician
• Simon Madden – former Australian rules footballer
• Melina Marchetta – writer and teacher
• Paul Mellor – former professional rugby league footballer
• Bronwen Neil – Professor of Ancient History at Macquarie University
• Deborah O'Neill – politician
• Camille Agnes Becker Paul – feminist, moral theologian and activist
• Muriel Porter – journalist
• Liam Simmons – basketball coach and former player
• Gregory D. Smithers – professor of American history at Virginia Commonwealth University
• Madeleine Steere – professional water polo centre back
• Anba Suriel – bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Los Angeles
• James Tedesco – professional rugby league footballer
• Morris West – novelist and playwright
• Alan Whiticker – non-fiction author and publisher
• Guy Zangari – former politician

External links

• Template:Official website
• Accredition information at Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency