
Also known as: ACU
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺 | Australia Day Holiday | 27 January 2025 | National public holiday observing Australia's history; university closed, ideal for reflection. |
| 🎉 | Orientation Week Begins | 17 February 2025approximate | Welcoming new students with sessions and campus tours. |
| 📚 | Semester 1 Classes Start | 24 February 2025 | Commencement of lectures and tutorials for the first semester. |
| 🛠️ | Labour Day Holiday (Victoria) | 10 March 2025 | Public holiday in Victoria; no classes in Melbourne campuses. |
| ✝️ | Good Friday | 18 April 2025 | Catholic observance; university closed for Easter break. |
| 🥚 | Easter Monday | 21 April 2025 | Continuation of Easter holiday; time for rest and family. |
| 🌺 | Anzac Day | 25 April 2025 | Commemoration of military service; public holiday. |
| 🏫 | Mid-Semester Break Ends | 28 April 2025approximate | Return to classes after break. |
| 👑 | King's Birthday Holiday | 9 June 2025 | Public holiday in most states; university activities paused. |
| 📝 | Semester 1 Exams Begin | 9 June 2025approximate | Assessment period for first semester courses. |
| 🏆 | Semester 1 Ends | 27 June 2025 | Conclusion of first semester; break follows. |
| ❄️ | Winter Break | 30 June 2025approximate | Inter-semester break for rest and preparation. |
| � bell | Semester 2 Classes Start | 28 July 2025 | Beginning of second semester academic activities. |
| 🌴 | Mid-Semester 2 Break | 22 September 2025approximate | Short break during second semester. |
| 🏉 | AFL Grand Final Holiday (Victoria) | 26 September 2025approximate | Public holiday in Victoria for sports event. |
| ⚙️ | Labour Day Holiday (NSW/ACT) | 6 October 2025 | Holiday for other campuses. |
| 🖊️ | Semester 2 Exams Begin | 3 November 2025approximate | Final assessments for second semester. |
| 🏇 | Melbourne Cup Day | 4 November 2025 | Public holiday in Victoria; racing event. |
| 🎓 | Semester 2 Ends | 21 November 2025 | End of academic year; graduation preparations. |
| 🎄 | Christmas Break Begins | 25 December 2025 | Holiday period over Christmas and New Year. |
Are you planning on applying to ACU next year? Then you need to know the important dates and deadlines for the admissions process at ACU. You can check them out below…
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📄 | VTAC Applications Open for Undergrad | 4 August 2025 | Start of applications via Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre for 2026 entry. |
| ⏰ | Early Offer Round Deadline | 30 September 2025 | Deadline for early conditional offers based on Year 11 results. |
| 📊 | ATAR Release Date | 15 December 2025approximate | Australian Tertiary Admission Rank results released for applicants. |
| ✉️ | Main Offer Round | 15 January 2026 | Primary offers issued for undergraduate programs. |
| 🎓 | Postgraduate Applications Deadline | 30 November 2025 | Closing date for direct applications to ACU postgraduate courses. |
| 🌍 | International Student Deadline | 1 December 2025 | Final date for international applications for Semester 1 2026. |
| 💰 | Scholarship Application Close | 31 October 2025 | Deadline for ACU scholarship submissions. |
| 🗣️ | Interview Period for Select Programs | 15 November 2025approximate | Interviews for competitive courses like teaching or health sciences. |
| 🔄 | Change of Preference Deadline | 20 December 2025 | Last chance to adjust course preferences via VTAC. |
| ✅ | Final Offer Round | 10 February 2026 | Last offers before semester start. |
| 📝 | Enrollment Deadline | 20 February 2026 | Final date to accept offers and enroll. |
The academic calendar at Australian Catholic University (ACU) serves as the backbone for the institution's educational rhythm, guiding students, faculty, and staff through a structured year of learning, assessment, and rest. As a Catholic university with campuses across Australia, including in Melbourne, Victoria, ACU's calendar reflects a blend of national holidays, religious observances, and academic traditions that emphasize holistic development. Typically divided into two main semesters, the calendar allows for intensive study periods interspersed with breaks that align with Australian public holidays like Australia Day and Anzac Day, as well as Catholic feasts such as Easter. This structure supports the university's mission to foster intellectual, spiritual, and ethical growth. Compared to other Australian universities, ACU's calendar is notable for its integration of faith-based events, which can influence scheduling around religious holidays, providing unique opportunities for reflection and community engagement. For students, this means planning classes and exams around these periods to maximize productivity and well-being. Faculty benefit from clear deadlines for grading and research, while staff coordinate administrative tasks accordingly. International students often appreciate how the calendar accommodates diverse cultural backgrounds, with breaks suitable for family travel or personal rejuvenation. Historically, ACU's calendar has evolved from its founding in 1991, merging traditions from its predecessor institutions to create a flexible yet rigorous framework. This evolution ensures alignment with national education standards while adapting to modern needs like online learning. To get insights from peers, consider checking Rate My Professor for professor ratings that can help in course selection. Whether you're planning your work schedule or tracking deadlines, the ACU academic calendar is an indispensable tool. Invite fellow students to rate their professors on Rate My Professor to build a community of shared experiences.
At Australian Catholic University, semester dates form the core of class planning, offering a predictable yet adaptable structure for academic pursuits. The year generally features a first semester focused on foundational learning and a second semester building towards advanced topics, with opportunities for summer or winter sessions for accelerated study. Students use these dates to plan classes, ensuring a balanced load that includes lectures, tutorials, and practical sessions. Tips for effective planning include early enrollment to secure preferred courses and consulting academic advisors for personalized schedules. ACU's calendar considers regional variations, such as Victoria's public holidays, which might affect class timings in Melbourne. For those interested in professor quality, viewing ratings on Rate My Professor can inform choices. International students might align class plans with visa requirements or home country visits during breaks. Faculty plan syllabi around these dates, incorporating deadlines for assignments and exams. Overall, mastering semester dates enhances academic success and reduces stress. Don't forget to rate your professors on Rate My Professor to help others plan better.
Exam schedules at ACU are strategically placed at the end of each semester, allowing ample time for revision and assessment. Preparation involves understanding typical periods for midterms and finals, with tips like forming study groups and utilizing library resources. ACU provides support through workshops on exam techniques, emphasizing the importance of mental health during these intense times. Students can track rival school events to benchmark preparation strategies. For faculty, exam periods mean coordinating invigilation and grading timelines. Integrating holidays into prep plans ensures balanced rest. Check Rate My Professor for insights on exam styles from past students.
Holidays and breaks at Australian Catholic University are thoughtfully integrated into the academic calendar, providing essential downtime for recharge. In Australia, key observances include Australia Day, celebrated with national pride, and Anzac Day, honoring military history, both offering opportunities for reflection and community activities. Easter breaks align with Catholic traditions, allowing for spiritual retreats or family gatherings. Other breaks might coincide with Labour Day in Victoria or the King's Birthday, facilitating travel or personal pursuits. Students use these periods to plan holidays, coordinate family travel, or catch up on work. Tips include booking accommodations early during popular breaks and exploring Melbourne's cultural scene. For international students, these breaks are ideal for verifying historical dates or experiencing Australian customs. Faculty might use breaks for research or professional development. Compared to US spring breaks or UK Easter holidays, ACU's breaks emphasize cultural and religious significance, enhancing the university experience. Plan your breaks wisely to align with deadlines and avoid burnout. Explore job opportunities during breaks via Higher Ed Jobs.
Work schedules and deadlines at ACU are designed to support faculty and staff in managing their responsibilities efficiently. Timelines for course preparation, grant applications, and administrative tasks are aligned with the academic year, ensuring smooth operations. Tips for balancing workloads include prioritizing tasks and using university tools for time management. Deadlines for submissions often precede breaks, allowing for review periods. This structure helps in planning personal and professional commitments.
Faculty and staff at ACU benefit from notes on meetings, grading periods, and professional development embedded in the calendar. Regular faculty meetings foster collaboration, while grading deadlines ensure timely feedback. Invite employees to rate their employer on Rate My College. Explore career opportunities in Lecturer Jobs or Research Jobs.
Historical calendars at ACU provide insights into past structures, showing patterns like consistent semester lengths. Future calendars follow similar trends, aiding long-term planning. Archives are useful for verifying historical dates and understanding evolutions in holiday alignments.
Major events like orientation and commencement are highlights of the ACU calendar, fostering community. Invite students to rate professors on Rate My Professor or view results to inform event participation. Check Professor Salaries for career insights.
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺 | Australia Day Holiday | 26 January 2026 | National celebration; university closure. |
| 👋 | Orientation Week | 16 February 2026approximate | Introduction for new students. |
| 📖 | Semester 1 Start | 23 February 2026 | Classes commence for first semester. |
| 🛠️ | Labour Day (Victoria) | 9 March 2026 | State holiday; no classes. |
| ✝️ | Good Friday | 3 April 2026 | Easter observance start. |
| 🥚 | Easter Monday | 6 April 2026 | Easter holiday continuation. |
| 🌺 | Anzac Day | 25 April 2026 | Remembrance day. |
| 👑 | King's Birthday | 8 June 2026 | Monarch's birthday holiday. |
| 📝 | Semester 1 Exams | 8 June 2026approximate | Assessment week. |
| 🏆 | Semester 1 End | 26 June 2026 | First semester conclusion. |
| ❄️ | Winter Break | 29 June 2026approximate | Rest period between semesters. |
| 🔔 | Semester 2 Start | 27 July 2026 | Second semester begins. |
| 🌴 | Mid-Semester Break | 21 September 2026approximate | Break in second semester. |
| 🏉 | AFL Grand Final (Vic) | 25 September 2026approximate | Sports holiday in Victoria. |
| ⚙️ | Labour Day (NSW) | 5 October 2026 | Holiday for select campuses. |
| 🖊️ | Semester 2 Exams | 2 November 2026approximate | Final exams period. |
| 🏇 | Melbourne Cup | 3 November 2026 | Racing holiday. |
| 🎓 | Semester 2 End | 20 November 2026 | Academic year closes. |
| 🎄 | Christmas Day | 25 December 2026 | Festive holiday break. |
| 🎁 | Boxing Day | 26 December 2026 | Post-Christmas holiday. |