Darwin Orientation
This Orientation program for Darwin-based students will help you get to know CDU so you can feel connected and supported for study.
Remember to use the personalisation tool to view content specific to Domestic or International students.
Orientation in just three steps...
This Orientation program for Darwin-based students will help you get to know CDU so you can feel connected and supported for study.
Remember to use the personalisation tool to view content specific to Domestic or International students.
Orientation in just three steps...
1. Your pre-Orientation check
New to CDU
Everything you need to get started at CDU and settle into student life, one step at a time.
Learn more
International student information
Everything you need to know before arriving in Australia and commencing studies. The International Student Support Team is here to help navigate your journey.
Learn moreFirst Nations Academic Skills Workshop 2025
First Nations students are invited to two days of workshops and activities as pre-Orientation to get ready for life as a CDU student this semester.
Please note: This event is by invite-only for new commencing First Nations students. Students will be contacted by the First Nations Student Support team to confirm registration. For any questions or concerns, please contact fnssreception@cdu.edu.au.
Monday 24 February
Activity | Time |
Welcome to First Nations students Main meeting area Casuarina campus, Blue Building 2, Gurinbey Centre | 9 am - 3 pm |
| A welcome to First Nations students and an introduction to student services across CDU including Scholarships, Tutorial Support. Library and Careers Centre. Get free food and refreshments, and meet fellow new students. |
Tuesday 25 February
Activity | Time |
Academic skills workshop continued Main meeting area Casuarina campus, Blue Building 2, Gurinbey Centre | 9 am - 3 pm |
| The workshop continues with a session about life, health and wellbeing at CDU, developing academic skills, UniGames opportunities and more. |
2. See your campus schedule
Make sure to register your details to reserve a limited Orientation welcome pack for collection on the day. Registered students who attend Orientation will also go in the draw to win the ultimate CDU starter pack!
If you are studying externally as a domestic student, you are welcome to attend Orientation sessions outlined for your nearest campus location.
All times are in Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) unless stated otherwise.
Day 1 - Wednesday 26 February
Activity | Time |
Welcome to CDU Orientation Danala | Education and Community Precinct, | 10.30 am - 4 pm |
| Official welcome event with a formal introduction to CDU, followed by a Welcome to beautiful Larrakia Country. Meet the teams who provide essential services and support your learning, health and wellbeing journeys. Explore the campus and connect with fellow students. Attend sessions that tell you about CDU student life, tools for student success and safety, important student services and having fun in Darwin. |
Day 2 - Thursday 27 February
Activity | Time |
Connect with your faculty: Faculty of Health Main meeting area Casuarina campus, Red Building 1, Mal Nairn Auditorium | 9.30 am - 1 pm |
| Meet the faculty and teaching staff for your discipline. Get to know your peers with fun icebreakers and activities. | |
Connect with your faculty: Faculty of Arts and Society An introduction to the faculty, including teaching staff | |
For students in the following disciplines: Accounting, Main meeting area Danala | Education and Community Precinct, | 10 am - 4 pm |
For students in the following disciplines: Education, Humanities, Arts, Main meeting area Casuarina campus, Red Building 6, | 12 pm - 4 pm |
Connect with your faculty: Faculty of Science and Technology Immerse yourself in all things faculty - meet your lecturers, | |
For students in the following discipline: Information Technology Main meeting area Danala | Education and Community Precinct, | 11 am - 12.45 pm |
For students in the following disciplines: Engineering and Main meeting area Casuarina campus, Red Building 1, | 1.45 pm - 4.30 pm |
Day 3 - Friday 28 February
Activity | Time |
CDU Student Carnival | 2 pm - 5 pm |
| Get ready to kick off the semester in style. The CDU Student Carnival is bringing you all the fun, food and good vibes with student group and community stalls, DJ and music, Library scavenger hunt, games and more. |
2. See your campus schedule
Make sure to register your details to reserve a limited Orientation welcome pack for collection on the day. Registered students who attend Orientation will also go in the draw to win the ultimate CDU starter pack!
All onshore international students in Australia are expected to attend sessions outlined in their campus Orientation program. If you are unable to attend Orientation due to delays, please visit one of our Welcome Centres on campus for assistance.
All times are in Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) unless stated otherwise.
Day 1 - Wednesday 26 February
Activity | Time |
Welcome to CDU Orientation Danala | Education and Community Precinct, | 10.30 am - 4 pm |
| Official welcome event with a formal introduction to CDU, followed by a Welcome to beautiful Larrakia Country. Meet the teams who provide essential services and support your learning, health and wellbeing journeys. Explore the campus and connect with fellow students. Attend sessions that tell you about CDU student life, tools for student success and safety, important student services and having fun in Darwin. International students have a session about understanding your visa, making sure your studies fit your requirements and navigating international study. |
Day 2 - Thursday 27 February
Activity | Time |
Connect with your faculty: Faculty of Health Main meeting area Casuarina campus, Red Building 1, Mal Nairn Auditorium | 9.30 am - 1 pm |
| Meet the faculty and teaching staff for your discipline. Get to know your peers with fun icebreakers and activities. | |
Connect with your faculty: Faculty of Arts and Society An introduction to the faculty, including teaching staff | |
For students in the following disciplines: Accounting, Main meeting area Danala | Education and Community Precinct, | 10 am - 4 pm |
For students in the following disciplines: Education, Humanities, Arts, Main meeting area Casuarina campus, Red Building 6, | 12 pm - 4 pm |
Connect with your faculty: Faculty of Science and Technology Immerse yourself in all things faculty - meet your lecturers, | |
For students in the following discipline: Information Technology Main meeting area Danala | Education and Community Precinct, | 11 am - 12.45 pm |
For students in the following disciplines: Engineering and Main meeting area Casuarina campus, Red Building 1, | 1.45 pm - 4.30 pm |
Day 3 - Friday 28 February
Activity | Time |
CDU Student Carnival | 2 pm - 5 pm |
| Get ready to kick off the semester in style. The CDU Student Carnival is bringing you all the fun, food and good vibes with student group and community stalls, DJ and music, Library scavenger hunt, games and more. |
If you live with a health condition or any kind of disability and require any additional support to fully participate in Orientation and in your studies, please let us know by emailing orientation@cdu.edu.au.
We will keep your information private and do everything we can to ensure you are set up for success from the very first day. We are committed to developing a fully inclusive community that is fully accessible to all staff, students and visitors with disabilities; a community characterised by dignified accessibility.
Explore Orientation events and more
Connect with the Faculty of Arts and Society
Immerse yourself in all things faculty during Orientation. In these sessions, you will meet your lecturers and other CDU students in the Faculty of Arts and Society.
Read more about Connect with the Faculty of Arts and Society
Connect with the Faculty of Health
Immerse yourself in all things faculty during Orientation. In these sessions, you will meet your lecturers and other CDU students in the Faculty of Health.
Read more about Connect with the Faculty of Health
Connect with the Faculty of Science and Technology
Immerse yourself in all things faculty during Orientation. In these sessions, you will meet your lecturers and other CDU students in the Faculty of Science and Technology.
Read more about Connect with the Faculty of Science and Technology
Getting there
Danala | Education and Community Precinct
Danala | Education and Community Precinct
54 Cavenagh Street
Darwin
NT 0800
Casuarina campus
Ellengowan Drive
Brinkin
NT 0810
Transport
You can plan your journey on public transport with the NT Bus Tracker app. The major bus interchanges are located at Casuarina Shopping Centre, Darwin interchange and Palmerston interchange. Get student concession for bus travel by presenting your Student ID card to the bus driver on-board.
Parking
Parking facilities are currently unavailable at Danala | Education and Community Precinct. You may use paid parking along City of Darwin's on-street parking zones or off-street CBD multi-level car parks.
Free parking, parking permits and pay and display parking are available at Casuarina campus. See Parking facilities for more details.
SafeZone
A free app to help you stay safe at CDU.
Request help in real-time and receive important notifications during an emergency.
Learn more3. Access New to CDU resources
Study essentials
| How to enrol | Watch video |
| How to use Learnline | Watch video |
Library support
| Library 101 | Watch video |
| Return to study: Harness your strengths as a mature student | Watch video |
| Your online library | Watch video |
Student life and connection
| CDU 101: The basics of student life at CDU, Darwin and the Northern Territory | View PDF |
| All things uni - Let's talk CDU services and student support | Watch video |
| Let's talk scholarships 101 | Watch video |
| Regional report - From Alice Springs to Sydney | Watch video |
Connect at the New Student Welcome Centre
Want advice on starting your first semester and navigating the university? Connect with us at the New Student Welcome Centre. Our Student Advisors can offer one-on-one support to help you enrol in the right units, choose a suitable study load, use CDU's online learning platforms, make friends with your peers and much more. This service is available on campus and online during those initial weeks when you are setting up for success.
Opening hours
From 3 March - 14 March 2025
Casuarina campus
Library, Red Building 8.1.05, Darwin
Monday - Friday: 11 am - 3 pm ACST
Danala | Education and Community Precinct
Level 1, Darwin
Monday - Friday: 11 am - 3 pm ACST
Online
Join the Online New Student Welcome Centre via Zoom link below:
Monday - Friday: 12 pm - 1 pm ACST
Still have questions?
If you prefer to call or send an email, get in touch with Student Central. Your enquiry will be answered by our knowledgeable staff.
Contact Student Central
Monday - Thursday: 8.30 am - 4 pm
Friday: 8.30 am - 3 pm