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.

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.  

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.