The Complete Guide To The Australian Catholic University (ACU)

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Australia Catholic University (ACU) was established in 1991 after four Catholic institutions merged. Since its establishment, ACU has grown in size, with 7 campuses across Australia and 1 in Rome, Italy. Today, it is also home to more than 32,000 students and over 200 courses. These courses cover various fields, including education, health sciences, theology and philosophy, social sciences, and business. 

One of its key strengths is its commitment to social justice and community engagement, going by the motto “Be Inspired to Inspire Others.”. For example, students can participate in community-affiliated research projects and placements. Here, they will work with marginalised communities while putting their knowledge to the test. With this unique focus, it became the top 2% of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024.

Moreover, students receive support for their education and well-being. At ACU, there are a variety of extracurricular activities and support services. Among them are sports clubs, cultural events, volunteering opportunities, and counselling services. The university also has partnership agreements with over 200 institutions worldwide, providing students with opportunities to study abroad and gain global experience.

Key snapshots about Australian Catholic University:

Total student population	Over 32,000
% of international students	13%
Teaching faculty to student ratio	1:14
Graduate employability rate	95%

1.2 Australian Catholic University Rankings 2025

According to the 2025 QS World University Rankings, the Australian Catholic University ranks #901–950 and is among the top #10 Catholic universities globally.

Aside from religious studies, the university is at the forefront of Nursing and Sports-related studies. Both fields are among the top in the Excellence Research for Australia (ERA) assessment.

Below are Australian Catholic University’s fields of study that made it onto the QS Subject Rankings:

QS Subject Category	Ranking For 2025
Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies	#22
Nursing	#51 – 100
Sports-Related Subjects	#51 – 100
Classic and Ancient History	#51 – 150
Education and Training	#151 – 200
Psychology	#151 – 200
Arts and Humanities	#451 – 500

2. Student Life & Living Cost

2.1 Australian Catholic University Campuses

Location and Surrounding Vibe: ACU ignites a blend of the old and new. From the classic Victorian-style buildings to the modern highrises, your camera will be blessed with Instagrammable scenery.

Each campus is within a stone’s throw of the city centres. Locals can rent the institution’s community spaces and enjoy various facilities. On campus, the community spirit continues with the establishment of many clubs, societies, and social events. The university provides many opportunities to form valuable connections.

To top it off, each campus has a chapel!  If you’re a Christian seeking to strengthen your faith, you can check out their chaplaincy services.

Ease of Accessibility to Campus: Many campuses sit close to public transportation and biking tracks. Walking, cycling, and taking the bus or train are common ways of getting to class. Some campuses even come with shuttle buses that will take you to where you need to go.

👆Swipe left for bitesize details of ACU’s Aussie campuses: 👆

Security on Campus: 24-hour support and surveillance to keep the community safe. ACU also has emergency hotlines and a helpline for international students. These helplines respond to emergencies even after hours.

Student Diversity: Home to over 4,100 international students, ACU welcomes students far and wide. As a student here, you can make friends with people from over 80 nations. They come from India, China, Vietnam, Kenya, Nepal, Paris, Maritius, and Malaysia.

No matter where you come from, the university’s education agent and support staff will be ready to help you. Every year, overseas staff members host events in several countries to connect with international students. 

2.2. Learning Resources

ACU hosts 4 main faculties, namely Education and Arts, Health Sciences, Law and Business, and Arts and Humanities. By entering campus, you begin nurturing your skills with facilities that stimulate your future workplace. Take a look at some of the facilities it has to offer.

• ACU Co-Lab Coworking Space📍North Sydney, Brisbane
  • Offers coworking and meeting spaces for both students and local businesses to network, share resources and collaborate.

• The Gaudete Centre 📍Brisbane
  • Provides guests with a space for meetings and external events. It contains facilities for video and teleconferences.

• ACU McGlade Gallery 📍Strathfield
  • A place where local talents (including the university’s students and staff) display their works! An annual event to visit is the Hidden Satellite Exhibition.

• Library📍All campuses
  • All ACU libraries are open to the public!

• Paramedicine Labs 📍Melbourne, Ballarat, Brisbane, Canberra and North Sydney
  • These labs have the equipment to prepare students for emergencies. Some campuses even have simulated ambulances too!

Fun Fact: Did you know that some of these coworking centres also have full-fledged kitchens for dinner functions?

These are more learning facilities specific to each faculty of ACU:

FACULTIES	FACILITIES
Education and Arts	⚬ Teaching labs (Literacy, Maths, Science) ⚬ Arts and music rooms ⚬ Drama Studios ⚬ Early Childhood Teaching Rooms
Health Sciences	⚬ Clinics (Health, Psychology) ⚬ Labs (Paramedic, Biomechanics, Physiotherapy) ⚬ Simulation Wards ⚬ Occupational Therapy Apartments
Arts and Humanities	⚬ Art Galleries ⚬ Drama Studios ⚬ Virtual Art Studios ⚬ Pottery and Ceramics Studios
Others	⚬ Libraries ⚬ Coworking Space ⚬ Conference Centres

2.3 Recreational Facilities

As a sports science stronghold, ACU features many recreational and sports facilities catering to diverse student interests. These include

• Sports Gyms 📍All campuses
• Multipurpose Courts 📍 Canberra, ACT campus
• Rooftop Court 📍Melbourne, VIC campus
• Five-lane 25m Swimming Pool📍Brisbane, QLD campus
• FIFA-certified Synthetic Football Pitch 📍Strathfield, NSW campus

2.4 Student Activities

Student Life At Australian Catholic University

Be part of a vibrant and dynamic student community through many clubs and societies. Whether you are into sports, the arts, or anything in between, you are bound to find a group of like-minded people.

In addition to these clubs and societies, ACU also hosts a variety of extracurricular activities on campus, such as

• Guest lectures
• Workshops
• Seminars
• Cultural festivals and events
• Volunteer opportunities 
• Sporting events and tournaments.

These activities not only enrich the university experience but also contribute to the holistic development of students.

2.5 Student Services

ACU prioritises the welfare and success of its students, providing various support services to enhance students’ academic journey and personal growth. Students who enrol there will have their needs met through services like:

• Accommodation Advisory
• Academic Skills Development
• Career Development
• On-Campus Medical Centres
• Disability Support Service
• Student Advocacy

Essentials aside, the university also lives up to its Catholic identity with its chaplaincy services, a.k.a. Campus Ministry. Be it spiritual guidance or faith-based activities, it does a good job of helping Christian students reconnect with their faith. 

2.6 ACU Student Accommodation

On-Campus: ACU’s on-campus residences provide a supportive and safe learning environment. Like its academic traits, its accommodation also prioritises a sense of community among its students. These fully furnished residences come equipped with modern amenities, including Wi-Fi, study spaces, communal kitchens, and recreation areas.

Off-Campus: If you are looking into living outside of campus, the options vary from shared houses and apartments to private rentals. These options sit near the campus, typically offer more independence, and are suited to students looking for a more private living arrangement.

Accommodation Costs: As an international student, you can find residences near each of its campuses. ACU offers lodging in Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Ballarat, and even Rome!

This table has broken down ACU’s Australian on-campus accommodation fees.

Campus	Per Room Per Month (AUD)
Ballarat	AUD 720 – AUD 880
Brisbane	AUD 1,200 – AUD  2,100
Canberra	AUD 1,200 – AUD  1,500
Sydney	AUD 1,000 – AUD  1,900

*Not all campuses contain on-campus lodging. For other types of accommodation inquiries, you can ask our Study Abroad Consultant about them!

Living Cost: The general living expenses for students living on-campus at ACU, excluding accommodation, can vary depending on personal spending habits. However, as a rule of thumb, students can expect to spend between AUD 1,200 and AUD 3,800 monthly. This expenditure covers food, transport, utilities, and personal expenses like entertainment and leisure.

Here is an estimated living cost breakdown of these Australian regions.

REGIONS	Costs Per Month (AUD)
Ballarat	AUD 520 – AUD 1,100
Brisbane	AUD 1,200 – AUD  2,100
Canberra	AUD 1,200 – AUD  1,500
Melbourne	AUD 1,200 – AUD  2,100
Sydney  (Applies to Campuses in North Sydney, Strathfield, and Blacktown)	AUD 1,000 – AUD  1,900

3. Courses, Fees & Scholarships

3.1 Courses You Can Study At The Australian Catholic University

At ACU, there are many courses in varying fields.

Fields Of Studies	Courses (*These are just a few examples under each field)
Diplomas	Criminology, Education Studies, Exercise Science
Foundation Studies	Foundation
Allied Health	Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Social Work
Business	Accounting, Finance, Business Administration
Creative Arts	Creative Arts, Visual Arts and Design
Global Studies and International Development	Global Studies, International Development
Humanities and Social Science	Arts, Human Rights
Information Technology	Data Science, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics
Law and Criminology	Law, Criminology and Criminal Justice
Nursing, Midwifery, and Paramedicine	Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedicine
Nutrition and Biomedical Science	Applied Public Health, Global Health and Advocacy
Philosophy	Exercise and Sports Science, High-Performance Sports
Psychology	Psychology, Professional Psychology, Educational Development
Public Health and Administration	Applied Public Health, Global Health and Advocacy
Sports and Exercise Science	Exercise and Sports Science, High-Performance Sports
Teaching	Education, Early Childhood Education
Theology	Theology, Arts (Western Civilisation)
Youth Work and Community Development	Youth Work and Community Development

If you are looking to be part of the community, ACU is a great place to start. The university loves to be with the people, with many of its courses emphasising human relationships. Within its modules and electives, you can apply what you have learned in a communal setting.

3.2 Course Fees At Australian Catholic University

We have also saved you the hassle and compiled the full list of ACU’s detailed course fees into one article below. Check it out and share it!

Coming Soon!

3.3 Australian Catholic University Scholarships

These are some of the scholarships offered by ACU to international students. Check out the full list here. (Coming Soon)

Global Excellence Scholarship	AUD 2,500 deduction for each semester throughout undergraduate and postgraduate Field: Business, IT Maximum Value: ⚬ AUD15,000 for 3-year Undergraduate ⚬ AUD 20,000 for a 4-year Undergraduate double degree ⚬ AUD 10,000 for a 2-year Postgraduate
ACU International Scholarship	A merit scholarship with a 50% tuition waiver
Callinan Family Scholarship	Value: AUD 5,000 paid in lump sum For students who, ⚬ Are studying in Melbourne ⚬ Studying business degree. ⚬ Have good academic results
Australian Engagement Equity Scholarship Blacktown	Value: AUD 4,000 paid in lump sum  For students who contributed to their communities and faced difficulties in their studies
ACU Equity Scholarships	Maximum Value: ⚬ Up to 70% tuition fee waiver for students with special talents and good academic results ⚬ Up to 20% reduction in on-campus accommodation fees

3.4 Popular Courses At Australian Catholic University

Theology Studies

ACU is a leading institution for theological studies. In 2023, the university ranked #32 on the QS Ranking for Theology, Divinity, and Religious Studies. What makes it a leader in this field is its emphasis on community engagement and collaboration. Through communal partnerships, students will gain a deep understanding of various religious traditions and their impacts on society. 

For instance, in the collaboration with the Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) Sports Team, one student said that the placement helped improve her interpersonal skills and knowledge. She was able to apply what she had learned while obtaining new skills, such as communication skills, problem-solving skills, and patience. 

Nursing

When it comes to nursing patients back to health, every experience counts. At QS #43, ACU’s nursing courses triumph with a comprehensive curriculum and hands-on clinical practice. Together with St. Vincent’s Health Network Sydney and St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, the trio formed the Nursing Research Institute (NRI). NRI is Australia’s largest nursing research collaborative and it is famous for

• Conducting multidisciplinary clinical and health services research
• Allowing Postgraduate students and St. Vincent’s clinicians to join research programmes
• Awarding approximately AUD 40 million to NRI researchers
• Publishing over 160 peer-reviewed journal articles
  

Sports Science

What better way to connect a community than with sports? Something the Australian Catholic University also excels in, ranking #51–#100 on the QS Ranking for Sports-Related Subjects.

One of the places you can visit is Blacktown City, a.k.a. Western Sydney’s sporting capital. Together with the Blacktown City Council (BCC), ACU has built a campus to support Sports Science studies. Students here can enjoy various facilities, courses, and research projects.

Furthermore, the university is an active collaborator of Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub – BEST. It lent a hand in developing sporting facilities, training regimes, and rehabilitation services.

Be it athletes, students, or residents, you will have a supportive team behind your active journey.

Teaching

If you are looking to give back to the community, taking a Teaching course will give you that opportunity. For all the good reasons.

• ACU ranks QS #100–150 for Education and Training.

• It covers various levels of education. You can choose to specialise in early childhood education (ECE), teaching primary and secondary school students or people with developmental needs.

• You can combine your teaching degree with another education specialisation or a degree in another field. Among the cool combinations you can find here are
  • Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Education, majoring in Secondary and Special Education
  • Bachelor in Education (Secondary) and Bachelor of Exercise Science

Psychology

With a QS #201–250 rank, Psychology at ACU will boost your theoretical knowledge and practical skills. This course has Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) (APAC Level 1) accreditation. In addition, 3rd-years take part in 50–100 hours of community engagement, where they work with an organisation, a community group, or a school. And that is not all.

In Melbourne and Strathfield, ACU offers low-cost counselling and psychological assessments to the public. Counsellors in these clinics consist of the university’s very own Postgraduate students. They work voluntarily while under the supervision of registered psychologists from their school.

3.5 Industry Partners

The Australian Catholic University (ACU) fosters a strong industry partnership network that creates placements and academic opportunities. As such, ACU students enjoy invaluable real-world experiences and opportunities for professional development. Here are a few prominent examples of education and working placements:

3.4 University Partners 

ACU is partners with over 200 universities from over 40 nations, including

• Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India
• Nagoya University of Foreign Studies, Japan
• the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile
• Radboud University, Netherlands
• Tongji University, China
• Vietnam National University 

Through these partnerships, students and staff will have many developmental opportunities. Among them are student exchange programmes, research and teaching cooperations, as well as shared community engagement activities. As such, they become highly employable and well-prepared for their respective careers. 

4. Entry Requirements & Intake Dates

4.1 Australian Catholic University Entry Requirements 2025

Minimum entry requirements for the Foundation:

• SPM – 3 credits
• IGCSE – 4 credits

Minimum entry requirements for Diploma:

• UEC – 5B (excluding language subjects)
• IGCSE -Complete Year 12 or equivalent 

Minimum entry requirements for a Degree:

• UEC – 5B
• STPM – 4B
• A-levels – 1B1C
• IB Diploma – 24 points in 6 subjects
• SACE/WACE –  ATAR 58.50
• Matrikulasi – Min. GPA 2.00

Minimum English requirement (IELTS)

• Foundation – 5.5
• Diploma – 6.0
• Degree – 7.0

Some courses may require you to earn higher entry requirements and additional qualifications.

4.2 Australian Catholic University Intake Periods For 2025

If you are thinking of applying in 2025, these are important periods to note.

• Foundation: March
• Diploma: March, July
• Degree: February, July
• Postgraduate: February, July

These are general intake periods. For specific intake dates, you may click here or check with our counsellors..

4.3 Admission Process For Studying In Australia

The process of studying in Australia can be tedious especially when applying to various universities before their application deadlines and ensuring proper documents are submitted to procure your student visa.

Here are some more helpful articles to help you navigate:

• Your Essential Study In Australia Guide For Malaysian Students
• Education Consultants And The 8 Steps To Study Abroad
• Top 10 Benefits Of Engaging A Higher Education Consultant

5. Student Testimonials & Alumni

Here are some video testimoinals of students who studied at ACU:

6. Conclusion

The Australian Catholic University (ACU) offers a unique educational experience, combining a diverse culture with world-class learning resources. Its campuses grant easy access to both city life and nature’s serenity. With students from over 80 countries, studying at ACU ensures a global perspective and a multicultural learning environment. These experiences go beyond the classroom, preparing students for a globally competitive, multicultural working world. 

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