ACU is a university of service. We seek to serve the wider community through education, engagement and research, especially by providing opportunities to those in need and by educating our students to be socially and morally responsible individuals. We’re committed to serving the common good and upholding the sacredness in life. We respect and welcome all faith traditions and uphold the dignity of all human beings. To ensure staff and students of all backgrounds and beliefs enjoy a safe and welcoming learning environment, we support the Australian Human Rights Commission’s campaign Racism. It stops with me.

Australian Catholic University (ACU) was opened on 1 January 1991 following the amalgamation of four Catholic tertiary institutions in eastern Australia:

• Catholic College of Education Sydney in New South Wales
• Institute of Catholic Education in Victoria
• McAuley College of Queensland
• Signadou College of Education in the Australian Capital Territory.

These institutions had their origins in the mid-1800s, when religious orders and institutes became involved in preparing teachers for Catholic schools and, later, nurses for Catholic hospitals.

Through a series of amalgamations, relocations, transfers of responsibilities and diocesan initiatives, more than 20 historical entities have contributed to the creation of the University.