Welcome to the ACU community
Congratulations! You’re about to embark on a significant and rewarding phase of your life. Whether you’ve just finished school or are returning to study after some time away, uni is an amazing experience, and we are very happy that you’ve chosen ACU.
We’ll guide you through the next steps in preparation for the journey ahead.
Get started
ACU offers a range of programs and services designed to help you succeed in your first year of study.
Select each program tab to learn more, then register to access your planner. In your planner, add the onboarding events you wish to attend to create your program.
Want to meet a mentor? Need some help with enrolment, applying for credit or digital literacy?
Be prepared
Your onboarding program
Virtual Welcome
To help you get started on your ACU journey, join one of our online Connect2Uni Virtual Welcome events. It’s your opportunity to:
- meet fellow successful ACU offer holders
- chat with current ACU students and staff
- hear from our successful alumni
- ask questions about transitioning to university life
Virtual Welcome dates
Online
Wednesday 16 October 6pm – 7pm (AEDT) Wednesday 11 December 1pm – 2pm (AEDT)
Nursing, Midwifery & Paramedicine
Tuesday 21 January 1pm – 2pm (AEDT)
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
Wednesday 22 January 1pm – 2pm (AEDT)
Allied Health
Thursday 23 January 1pm – 2pm (AEDT)
Faculty of Education and Arts
Friday 24 January 1pm – 2pm (AEDT)
Behavioural and Health Sciences
Tuesday 28 January 1pm – 2pm (AEDT)
Peter Faber Business School
Wednesday 29 January 1pm – 2pm (AEDT)
Thomas More Law School
Thursday 30 January 1pm – 2pm (AEDT)
Nursing, Midwifery & Paramedicine
Friday 31 January 1pm – 2pm (AEDT)
Getting Started Day
Getting Started Day is designed for any students who would like some extra, one-on-one support and peer-connection before Orientation Day and the start of semester. The program explores common challenges that students experience throughout their first year at university. Connect with friendly student mentors and hear about what you need to know and do to be successful.
Getting Started dates
Ballarat: Monday 24 February 9.15am – 3pm (AEDT) (PDF, 488KB)
Blacktown: Thursday 20 February 9.15am – 3pm (AEDT) (PDF, 489KB)
Brisbane: Thursday 20 February 9.15am – 3pm or 9.45am – 3.15pm (AEST) (PDF, 514KB)
Canberra: Monday 24 February 9.15am – 3pm (AEDT) (PDF, 488KB)
Melbourne 1: Tuesday 18 February 9.15am – 3.pm or 9.45am – 3pm (AEDT) (PDF, 514KB)
Melbourne 2: Thursday 20 February 9.15am – 3pm or 9.45am – 3.15pm (AEDT) (PDF, 514KB)
North Sydney: Tuesday 18 February 9.15am – 3pm or 9.45am – 3pm (AEDT) (PDF, 513KB)
Strathfield: Wednesday 19 February 9.15am – 3pm or 9.45am – 3.15pm (AEDT) (PDF, 513KB)
Online 1: Monday 17 February 10am – 2pm (AEDT) (PDF, 503KB)
Online 2: Wednesday 19 February 1pm – 5pm (AEDT) (PDF, 503KB)
Orientation Day
Attending Orientation Day is an essential part of starting your journey at ACU. During your Orientation Day you will find out important information about your course, and what to expect in your first semester. You can explore ACU and get to know your new campus. Go on campus tours, learn about your Campus Student Association, Student Clubs and Societies, make friends, and speak to our expert staff about everything that ACU can offer you.
Orientation dates
Ballarat: Tuesday 25 February 8.30am – 3.30pm (AEDT) (PDF, 5.6MB)
Blacktown: Tuesday 25 February 8.30am – 3.30pm (AEDT) (PDF, 2MB)
Brisbane: Wednesday 26 February 8.30am – 3.30pm (AEST) (PDF, 5.9MB)
Canberra: Wednesday 26 February 8.30am – 3.30pm (AEDT) (PDF, 1.4MB)
Melbourne Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Law and Business, and Education Pathways students: Wednesday 26 February 8.30am – 3.30pm (AEDT) (PDF, 5.6MB)
Melbourne Faculty of Education and Arts, and Faculty of Theology and Philosophy students: Thursday 27 February 8.30am – 3.30pm (AEDT) (PDF, 5.6MB)
North Sydney: Thursday 27 February 8.30am – 3.30pm (AEDT) (PDF, 5.3MB)
Strathfield: Wednesday 26 February 8.30am – 3.30pm (AEDT) (PDF, 5.9MB)
Other Orientation Programs
Term-based Courses
We have developed a hybrid program for term-based students, giving you many of the usual sessions offered at the semester Orientation.
Online Orientation activities will occur on Wednesday 29 January 2025, from 3.45pm – 6pm (AEDT).
Plan your day to check out all the sessions available to you now.
Please note that classes begin from Monday 3 February 2025, for students undertaking a
- Master of Social Work (Qualifying) at either our Canberra or Strathfield campuses.
- Bachelor of Speech Pathology at our Canberra campus.
- Master of Leadership and Management in Health Care at our North Sydney campus.
ACU Online
We have developed a library of online resources and a short program for ACU Online students. These contain the relevant portions of the semester-based orientation, tailored to your needs as an online student.
Online Orientation activities will occur on Wednesday 29 January 2025, from 3.45pm – 6pm (AEDT).
Check your planner for times.
Take the following steps to ensure you are well prepared to start uni:
- Watch the introductory video below.
- Register now for Orientation and view your course information pack.
- Launch into your learning by accessing our new student Canvas unit.
Late Orientations
Late Orientation Days are offered for students who were unable to attend their priority campus Orientation Day between 24 and 28 February.
The Late Orientation Day program is not as comprehensive as the standard Orientation Day program, but it still encompasses several useful sessions. You will be introduced to key staff on your campus and to the range of student services available to you.
Before you arrive
Course info
Access important information about your course and gain an introduction to your faculty and academic advisors.
New student checklist
Find everything you need to know and do before you start your classes.
Pre-departure Guide for International Students
This guide is to help international students with their preparations to leave their home country to come and study at ACU in Australia.
Starting uni
Starting uni
Starting uni can be daunting. We’ve put together some helpful information so that you feel prepared before you start your study at ACU.
Events in Weeks 1-4
We have created a packed program of events and activities to welcome you to our ACU community. Use your ACU single sign-on to log in and explore all the opportunities we have on ACU Life.
Connect2Uni: First-year student support
Hear from your Connect2Uni advisor and mentors, who will check in with you in your first semester, ensure that you are travelling well and offer support as you need.
