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Alice Springs (aerial view)
Study locations

Alice Springs

Arrernte Country

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

Jodie Summers, Associate Vice-Chancellor, Central Australia

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.

Alice Springs campus (aerial view)

 

Alice Springs Children's University students

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: 

  • First Nations development and community resilience

  • natural resource and conservation management

  • intergovernmental relations, local government and policy management

  • workforce development in regional and marginalised areas

  • policy implementation in regional areas

  • regional development and growth in remote areas

  • mobile-end technology-based learning

  • learning identity

  • First Nations enterprise development in remote areas

  • regional development and governance in Northern Australia and neighbouring regions

  • marginalised learners and access to knowledge systems

  • community engagement.  

Desert Ecology students investigate arid zone flora and fauna

    Services, student accommodation and life in Alice Springs

    • Alice Springs Campus 2020

      Our services

      CDU Alice Springs has resources to support students at every stage of their learning journey.

      Find out more
    • Alice Springs accommodation

      Alice Springs accommodation

      The Alice Springs Student Accommodation (ASSA) provides accommodation for CDU students, students from other universities undertaking placement, CDU staff, visiting guests, and groups.

      Find out more
    • Simpsons Gap Alice Springs

      Living in Alice Springs

      Find out what to expect when living in Alice Springs, including climate, things to do and popular attractions.

      Find out more

    “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

    Alice Springs landscape

    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. 

    Explore the map (PDF, 563.54 KB)

    Assembly map (PDF, 359.18 KB)

     

     

    Alice Springs campus (aerial view)

    Regional news

    • child getting hair cut gives thumbs up

      Hairdressing students go ‘Mullet Madness’ for a good cause

      The 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.

      Read more
    • students using microscopes

      Science week in the Centre aims to inspire next generation of scientists

      Central Australian students can experience the magic of STEM in ‘Science Week in the Centre’ as part of National Science Week.

      Read more
    • CDU free tax clinic

      Free expert tax advice for students and low-income earners

      A 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.

      Read more

    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.

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