Gateway to the Red Centre
Alice Springs (Mparntwe) is nestled in the heart of the Red Centre, a region known for its rugged landscapes and cultural richness. Surrounded by red earth and mountain ranges, Alice Springs is the perfect base to experience the vast Central Australian desert.
Message from the Associate Vice-Chancellor
CDU Alice Springs strives to enhance Central Australia and the Barkly region's economic growth and liveability. We have dedicated additional resources and leadership in the region, allowing us to introduce new courses in vocational and degree education that align with local needs. Through partnerships, collaboration and industry engagement, CDU Alice Springs can effectively support local workforce needs through education, training and research to drive change.
Through genuine partnerships with local First Nation organisations and communities CDU Alice Springs endeavours to be a leader in First Nations education and engagement.
The CDU Alice Springs team understands the intricacies of studying, living, and working in Central Australia and are committed to our students learning experience and empowering the next generation of local leaders and change makers.
Jodie Summers, Associate Vice-Chancellor, Central Australia
About CDU Alice Springs
We believe in the power of diverse educational opportunities. As a leading dual-sector educational hub in Central Australia, CDU Alice Springs offers various programs including degree education and vocational studies supporting domestic and international study opportunities. The campus features modern facilities, including an 85-seat lecture theatre, specialist IT classrooms, clinical training laboratory for nursing, simulation spaces for paramedicine and a science laboratory.
To encourage young people to explore futures in industry, CDU delivers vocational education and training to all high schools in Alice Springs and a number of secondary schools in surrounding remote communities. This program inspires students to learn new skills in a hands-on environment. Find out more about TAFE courses on offer.
Beyond the campus walls, CDU Alice Springs also plays a crucial role as a training hub for remote communities in the Northern Territory. CDU’s TAFE training facilities, including the state-of-the-art Trades Skills Centre, offer vocational studies in various industries, encouraging students to undertake trade skills and apprenticeships locally.
Charles Darwin Children’s University
Beyond the traditional classroom setting, this program engages young people in out-of-school learning by nurturing their passions and interests.
Launched in Alice Springs in 2022, the Children’s University inspires curiosity, creativity and a thirst for knowledge among its students. This not only enhances their potential for academic success, but also empowers them to become lifelong independent learners.
Research
Find a research project in the heart of Central Australia.
CDU Alice Springs is a base for diverse research opportunities, with a focus on driving powerful advancements in crucial fields and making a tangible impact.
Research areas include:
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First Nations development and community resilience
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natural resource and conservation management
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intergovernmental relations, local government and policy management
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workforce development in regional and marginalised areas
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policy implementation in regional areas
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regional development and growth in remote areas
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mobile-end technology-based learning
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learning identity
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First Nations enterprise development in remote areas
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regional development and governance in Northern Australia and neighbouring regions
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marginalised learners and access to knowledge systems
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community engagement.
Services, student accommodation and life in Alice Springs
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Our services
Find out moreCDU Alice Springs has resources to support students at every stage of their learning journey.
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Alice Springs accommodation
Find out moreThe Alice Springs Student Accommodation (ASSA) provides accommodation for CDU students, students from other universities undertaking placement, CDU staff, visiting guests, and groups.
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Living in Alice Springs
Find out moreFind out what to expect when living in Alice Springs, including climate, things to do and popular attractions.
“I have lifelong skills that I can apply to my future career, study and personal life…I feel as though I can apply what I learned to many industries, and it is definitely a qualification worth having.”
Lachlan Symons, VET in Schools student
Supporting the Central Australia region
CDU Alice Springs plays a strong role in the wider Central Australia region through a broad range of initiatives.
With a commitment to fostering partnerships, CDU collaborates with various local organisations and businesses, including Desert Knowledge Australia, Tourism Central Australia and the Chamber of Commerce, to support social and economic growth. These collaborations aim to amplify our impact and leverage innovation and collective knowledge for the benefit of the region.
CDU's presence in Alice Springs also extends beyond its physical campus through remote delivery, ensuring that education and workforce development opportunities reach even the most remote corners of the Northern Territory.
Where to find us
Location
10 Grevillea Drive
Alice Springs
NT 0871
Contact us
1800 654 865 (Freecall)
08 8959 5311
Find your way around the campus
The campus is founded on a strong research culture in areas of Indigenous engagement, health and economics and the environment. The campus services regional communities from northern South Australia through to the Barkly Tablelands.
Regional news
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Hairdressing students go ‘Mullet Madness’ for a good cause
Read moreThe Charles Darwin University TAFE Alice Springs hairdressing apprentices are receiving practical training in mullet cutting to help a local charity raise funds during the 2023 Red Centre Nats.
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Science week in the Centre aims to inspire next generation of scientists
Read moreCentral Australian students can experience the magic of STEM in ‘Science Week in the Centre’ as part of National Science Week.
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Free expert tax advice for students and low-income earners
Read moreA Charles Darwin University (CDU) Tax Clinic is helping students and other low-income earners push back against the with rising cost of living with free tax claim assistance.
Acknowledgement of Country
Recognition of Australian First Nations' traditional owners and cultures
We pay our deepest respects to past, present and future Arrernte Custodians and Elders on whose land we live and work, and extend that respect to all Custodians and Elders across Central Australia and to the continuation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural, spiritual, and educational practices.