Australian Catholic University
A public Catholic university with campuses in five Australian cities and Rome, strongest in health, education and theology.
- Students
- 35,300
- International
- 16%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 31.7:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- A$29,224
- From · 2027
- Founded
- 1991
About ACU
Australian Catholic University opened on 1 January 1991 through the amalgamation of four Catholic tertiary colleges in eastern Australia, whose roots go back to the mid-1800s, when religious orders began training teachers for Catholic schools and nurses for Catholic hospitals. Today it is a public university in the national system with seven campuses in Australia (Ballarat, Blacktown, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, North Sydney and Strathfield) and a campus in Rome.
ACU had more than 29,800 domestic and 5,500 international students in 2025 and more than 152,000 alumni. Its focus areas are education, health, and theology and philosophy: it trains teachers and nurses at scale across its campuses, alongside degrees in physiotherapy, paramedicine, occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychology and exercise science, as well as law, business, arts and IT. Every student takes units from ACU's Core Curriculum, and ACU states that students do not need to be Catholic to study there.
Entry is accessible for most courses: 2027 ATAR guides range from about 58.50 for arts, theology and psychological science to 88.25 for physiotherapy at Ballarat. ACU suits students who want a practical, placement-heavy professional degree in health or teaching, at a mid-sized university with a values-driven, community-service ethos.
Truth in love
University motto
Why students choose ACU
Professional health degrees with placements from first year, such as the Bachelor of Physiotherapy, whose graduates can register with AHPRA; ACU reports that 97% of its undergraduate physiotherapy graduates are employed (2025 Graduate Outcomes Survey).
The ACU Guarantee early-offer program lets Australian Year 12 students secure a place based on Year 11 results, with offers from September.
International students' tuition is fixed for the minimum length of the course, and scholarships such as the Executive Dean's International Scholarship cut up to 20% off annual tuition.
A campus in Rome and more than 200 international partners for study abroad.
Admissions
Semester 1, 2027 entry (classes begin March 2027)
Selectivity
ACU does not publish an acceptance rate. Domestic school leavers are selected mainly by ATAR/selection rank through the state admissions centres; 2027 ATAR guides include 58.50 (Arts, Psychological Science, Theology), 60.00 (Business, Melbourne), 62.85 (Nursing, Ballarat), 70.00 (Education Primary, Ballarat), 75.00 (Law, Blacktown) and 88.25 (Physiotherapy, Ballarat). International applicants apply directly with an Australian Year 12 equivalent.
Typical entry requirements
| Australian Year 12 (ATAR) | Course- and campus-specific ATAR guides for 2027: from 58.50 (e.g. Bachelor of Arts, Brisbane) to 88.25 (Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Ballarat) |
|---|---|
| International high school qualifications | Equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate, checked against ACU's list of recognised international qualifications |
| Pathway programs | Foundation Studies, diplomas and the Tertiary Preparation Program (Health Sciences) for students who do not meet direct entry; a diploma can lead into first or second year of a related bachelor degree |
| English language | Minimum English scores vary by course and are set out in Schedule 4 of ACU's coursework admission policy. Accepted tests include IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge Advanced English and the ACU English Test; results must be less than two years old at the start of study. |
Deadlines
- ACU Guarantee (domestic Year 12, early offer) Non-binding Passed14 September 2026 (final close; offer round 1 applications closed 17 August)
Offer round 2 on 25 September 2026. Not available for some courses, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology at several campuses.
- Direct applications, Semester 1 2027 (international and non-school leavers) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~4 months14 February 2027
Applications opened 5 August 2026; final closing date for direct applications except courses with earlier deadlines (for example 31 October 2026 for Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)).
- State admissions centres (UAC, QTAC, VTAC) Non-bindingSet by each admissions centre
Domestic school-leaver applications for 2027 opened in August 2026.
Direct-application dates are from ACU's application deadlines page for Semester 1 2027. Domestic school leavers should check closing dates with UAC, QTAC or VTAC.
How to apply
Domestic school leavers apply through their state admissions centre: UAC for North Sydney, Strathfield, Blacktown and Canberra; QTAC for Brisbane; VTAC for Ballarat and Melbourne. International students and domestic non-school leavers apply directly to ACU online, with certified transcripts, passport and English evidence. Year 12 students can also seek an early offer through ACU Guarantee.
What admissions looks for
- An ATAR or selection rank at or above the course guide, including any adjustment factors.
- Subject prerequisites for the chosen course.
- For teaching degrees in NSW and Victoria, evidence of suitability for teaching.
- For ACU Guarantee, Year 11 results plus optional personal statements about circumstances and motivation.
Tips for applying to ACU
- 1 Apply for ACU Guarantee in Year 11-12 if you are an Australian student: it can lock in an offer before your final exams, though some health courses are excluded.
- 2 Check the ATAR for the specific campus: the same degree can have different guides in different cities.
- 3 International students should apply early for scholarships such as the Executive Dean's International Scholarship (up to 20% off) and the Global Horizons International Scholarship (up to 25% off).
- 4 Health students must complete pre-placement requirements early, as placements start in first year.
Costs & financial aid
2027 · figures in AUD
International scholarships include the Executive Dean's International Scholarship (up to 20% off annual tuition), the Global Horizons International Scholarship (up to 25% off selected programs), the Flourishing Lives scholarship for Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste students (20% for the whole course), the Health Sciences Towards Brisbane 2032 Scholarship (15% at Brisbane) and a 20% rent remission in ACU Student Accommodation. Domestic students can defer fees through HECS-HELP.
- 20% off rent in ACU Student Accommodation for 12 months
- International accommodation scholarship
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (March and August intakes), plus online terms
Bachelor of Physiotherapy
Four years full-time with industry placements from first year; eligible graduates can apply for AHPRA registration. 2027 ATAR guide 88.25 at Ballarat.
Bachelor of Nursing
Offered at six campuses; 29th in the world and ninth in Australia for Nursing in ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2026.
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Offered at all seven Australian campuses; ninth in the world on the research quality pillar of the THE World University Rankings 2026 by subject (Education).
Bachelor of Theology
18th in the world and first in Australia for Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
Bachelor of Psychological Science
ACU reports that all of its undergraduate psychology graduates in the labour force were employed four months after graduating (2025 Graduate Outcomes Survey).
Bachelor of Laws
Offered at four campuses with combined degrees in human rights, criminology, theology and more.
Research
- Research priorities are education, health, and theology and philosophy.
- 17th in the world and first in Australia on the research quality pillar of the THE World University Rankings 2026.
- CWTS Leiden Ranking 2025 (2020-2023 publications, all sciences): 12th in the world and first in Australia for the share of papers among the top 10% most cited, PP(top 10%).
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Faculty of Education and Arts
- Faculty of Law and Business
- Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
ACU reports that 97% of its graduates are employed (Graduate Outcomes Survey - Longitudinal 2025, domestic undergraduate and postgraduate coursework graduates in the labour force).
Student life
ACU campuses are mostly compact and city-based, from the heritage buildings of North Sydney to modern city buildings in Melbourne and Brisbane, with a regional campus in Ballarat and a campus in Rome. ACU Student Accommodation runs residences in Ballarat, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Rome with a Residential Life Program covering academic, social, cultural, wellbeing and spiritual life. Campus ministry, elite athlete and performer support, and community engagement programs are part of the university's identity.
- Student accommodation in Ballarat, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Rome, with accommodation scholarships.
- Elite Athlete and Performer Program with flexible study and entry adjustments.
- Campus ministry and a Catholic mission focused on human dignity and the common good.
- Study abroad options including ACU's own Rome campus.
Housing. ACU Student Accommodation offers residences near its major campuses; international students can receive a 20% rent remission for 12 months.
Location
ACU is spread across Sydney (North Sydney, Strathfield and Blacktown), Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Ballarat, plus Rome, so students choose a campus as much as a university. Domestic applicants apply through the admissions centre for their campus's state. All Australian campuses are powered by 100% renewable energy, according to ACU.
Nearest airport: Sydney Airport (SYD) for the Sydney campuses; Melbourne (MEL), Brisbane (BNE) and Canberra (CBR) for the others
Notable alumni
- JT James TedescoRugby league fullback for Australia and NSW; PE teaching degree at ACU Strathfield (2016)
- EC Ellie ColeParalympic swimmer; Bachelor in Health and Exercise Science
- MM Melina MarchettaAuthor of Looking for Alibrandi; teaching degree
- SE Sean EadieRetired professional track cyclist and former kindergarten teacher; Diploma of Teaching (Primary)
- JM Justin MaddenFormer AFL footballer and Victorian state politician; studied teaching at the Institute of Catholic Education, now ACU
- BC Ben CumminsNRL rugby league referee; studied primary school teaching
- KK Kristina KeneallyFormer Premier of New South Wales; briefly attended ACU's Strathfield campus
Frequently asked questions
What ATAR do you need for ACU?
It depends on the course and campus. 2027 guides range from 58.50 for Arts, Theology and Psychological Science to 88.25 for Physiotherapy at Ballarat; Nursing at Ballarat is 62.85 and Law at Blacktown 75.00.
How much does ACU cost for international students?
2027 bachelor tuition ranges from A$29,224 a year (Theology) to A$54,120 (Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology). Nursing is A$39,672, and fees are fixed for the minimum course length.
Do I have to be Catholic to study at ACU?
No. ACU is a Catholic university but says you do not need to be Catholic to study there; all bachelor students take Core Curriculum units.
What is ACU Guarantee?
An early-offer program for Australian Year 12 students based on Year 11 results. For 2027 entry applications closed on 14 September 2026, with offer rounds in September.
When is the application deadline for ACU in 2027?
Domestic school leavers apply via UAC, QTAC or VTAC by their deadlines. Direct applications, including from international students, close on 14 February 2027 for most Semester 1 courses.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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