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 checklist
For all new commencing students, this interactive checklist will get you to start well at CDU and settle into student life, one step at a time.
Complete the checklist2. See your Orientation schedule
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) (Darwin local time) unless stated otherwise.
Tuesday 14 July - Welcome to CDU Orientation
Activity | Time | Location |
| Welcome to CDU Orientation | 9.30 am - 3.30 pm ACST | Danala | Education and Community Precinct, Community Learning Room and Foyer area |
| This is your official Welcome to CDU! Today is about getting essential information to start student life and connecting with services that support your learning journey. Activities include a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, sessions about CDU student life and how to find balance with uni and work, plus food and refreshments during the day. |
Wednesday 15 July - Faculty day
Today is about immersing in all things faculty. You will meet your lecturers and the learning support team, network with your peers and even get to make industry connections with peak bodies. Be treated with free food and also take a tour of your study spaces. See the schedule to find the session for your faculty.
Faculty | Time | Location |
| Faculty of Arts and Society | 10 am - 2 pm ACST | Main meeting area: Danala | Education and Community Precinct, Festival Learning Room, Level 1, Room 11 |
| Faculty of Health | 10 am - 1 pm ACST | Main meeting area: Casuarina campus, Blue Building 5, Level 1, Room 01 |
Faculty of Science and Technology* For students in the following discipline: Information Technology | 10 am - 1 pm ACST | Main meeting area: Danala | Education and Community Precinct, Community Learning Room, Level 1, Room 01 |
Faculty of Science and Technology* For students in the following disciplines: Engineering, Science and | 1.30 pm - 4.30 pm ACST | Main meeting area: Casuarina campus, Red Building 1, Level 3, Room 01/02, Student Lounge |
*Check your discipline to make sure you attend the right faculty session.
Thursday 16 July - Student Carnival
Activity | Time | Location |
| Student Carnival | 2 pm - 5 pm ACST | Main meeting area: Danala | Education and Community Precinct |
| Get ready to kick off the semester with an afternoon full of fun, food, music, games and good vibes. With the Dry Season settling in, the Student Carnival is the perfect time to unwind, connect with student groups and experience the vibrant CDU student community. |
Friday 17 July - Casuarina campus tour
Activity | Time | Location |
| Campus tour | 11 am - 1 pm ACST | Main meeting area: Casuarina campus, Boab Court (next to Red Building 8, Library) |
| This is a relaxed and social way for you to explore the Casuarina campus and meet new people. Enjoy free lunch, music and play casual sports while becoming familiar with student life and key campus spaces. |
2. See your Orientation schedule
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 contact us for assistance.
All times are in Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) (Darwin local time) unless stated otherwise.
Tuesday 14 July - Welcome to CDU Orientation
Activity | Time | Location |
| Welcome to CDU Orientation | 9.30 am - 3.30 pm ACST | Danala | Education and Community Precinct, Community Learning Room and Foyer area |
| This is your official Welcome to CDU! Today is about getting essential information to start student life and connecting with services that support your learning journey. Activities include a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, sessions about CDU student life, International Student Compliance and living in Darwin, plus food and refreshments during the day. |
Wednesday 15 July - Faculty day
Today is about immersing in all things faculty. You will meet your lecturers and the learning support team, network with your peers and even get to make industry connections with peak bodies. Be treated with free food and also take a tour of your study spaces. See the schedule to find the session for your faculty.
Faculty | Time | Location |
| Faculty of Arts and Society | 10 am - 2 pm ACST | Main meeting area: Danala | Education and Community Precinct, Festival Learning Room, Level 1, Room 11 |
| Faculty of Health | 10 am - 1 pm ACST | Main meeting area: Casuarina campus, Blue Building 5, Level 1, Room 01 |
Faculty of Science and Technology* For students in the following discipline: Information Technology | 10 am - 1 pm ACST | Main meeting area: Danala | Education and Community Precinct, Community Learning Room, Level 1, Room 01 |
Faculty of Science and Technology* For students in the following disciplines: Engineering, Science and | 1.30 pm - 4.30 pm ACST | Main meeting area: Casuarina campus, Red Building 1, Level 3, Room 01/02, Student Lounge |
*Check your discipline to make sure you attend the right faculty session.
Thursday 16 July - Student Carnival
Activity | Time | Location |
| Student Carnival | 2 pm - 5 pm ACST | Main meeting area: Danala | Education and Community Precinct |
| Get ready to kick off the semester with an afternoon full of fun, food, music, games and good vibes. With the Dry Season settling in, the Student Carnival is the perfect time to unwind, connect with student groups and experience the vibrant CDU student community. |
Friday 17 July - Casuarina campus tour
Activity | Time | Location |
| Campus tour | 11 am - 1 pm ACST | Main meeting area: Casuarina campus, Boab Court (next to Red Building 8, Library) |
| This is a relaxed and social way for you to explore the Casuarina campus and meet new people. Enjoy free lunch, music and play casual sports while becoming familiar with student life and key campus spaces. |
Our students' Orientation experience
"It was honestly incredible! For me, having the event spread over multiple days was great because it kept my energy levels high the whole time. I'm really glad I decided to attend every day."
"The best part of Orientation was exploring different stalls, learning about scholarships and job opportunities, and of course the freebies and food. I also got to meet new people from all over the world."
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 contacting Access and Inclusion.
Phone: (08) 8946 6288
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.
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.
CDU Student Bus service
Hop on the free CDU student bus to travel from campus to campus throughout the day and night. Just present your current student ID when boarding. See the timetable and more details on the Bus service page.
Parking
Free parking, parking permits and pay and stay parking are available at Casuarina, Waterfront Darwin and Danala | Education and Community Precinct. See Parking facilities for more details.
You may also use paid parking along City of Darwin's on-street parking zones or off-street CBD multi-level car parks.
SafeZone
SafeZone is a free app for all CDU students, staff and contractors that connects you directly to our security and safety teams. It enables staff and students to raise an alert that sends their GPS location directly to the Security Command Centre.
SafeZone3. 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
| All things uni - Let's talk CDU services and student support | Watch video |
| Let's talk scholarships 101 | 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 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.
Opening hours
Danala | Education and Community Precinct
13 July to 30 July 2026
Level 1 Foyer
Monday - Thursday: 10 am - 2 pm ACST
Casuarina campus
20 July to 30 July 2026
Library, Red Building 8, Level 1, Room 05
Monday - Thursday: 10 am - 2 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