In the 200th year of Catholic education in Australia, Australian Catholic University (ACU) is opening its doors to its newest campus, the Saint Josephine Bakhita Campus in Blacktown.
ACU’s Blacktown campus will offer students a unique higher education experience. That is because ACU engages the Catholic intellectual tradition to foster a learning environment where students develop their unique gifts through reflection, service, and intellectual inquiry.
ACU Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Greg Craven said that it was a privilege to be serving the Diocese of Parramatta community.
“Catholic education in this country began in a small classroom in Western Sydney with only a couple of dozen primary school children. What an extraordinary growth the Catholic education sector has seen since then, and we are so proud to have been a part of that,” he said.
“The opening of the ACU Blacktown campus means young residents of Blacktown and the wider Diocese of Parramatta will not have to travel vast distances to study. Having a campus in the heart of the city’s population centre means closer ties with partners in the area. Our students can learn, seek placements and find employment close to home.”
ACU engages the Catholic intellectual tradition, where faith and reason are compatible in education, allowing ACU to offer students world-class degrees with a distinct difference.
ACU’s Vice-President and Director of Identity and Mission Father Anthony Casamento said that true to its mission as a Catholic University, the new campus would be distinctly Catholic but welcoming all people of all faiths and none; inviting them to engage fully in an authentic Catholic university experience in Western Sydney.
“The Blacktown local government area is one of the most ethnically diverse in Australia. As a Catholic university ACU is well-positioned to embrace this diversity, while at the same time offer all staff and students on the campus an authentically Catholic university experience that is dedicated to the pastoral needs and spiritual wellbeing of the entire campus community.”
Importantly, ACU will offer students an edge in an increasingly competitive job market. Professor Craven said that choosing a university that produces job-ready graduates was more important than ever.
“ACU is one of the top three universities in Australia for graduate employment, first in Australia for employer satisfaction, and one of the top 10 Catholic universities in the world. The Blacktown Campus will offer a range of degrees to suit any interest, including education and arts, health sciences, law and business, theology and philosophy.”
Opening in August for 2021 applications, Year 12 students can apply for the ACU Guarantee program, which will see offers made as early as September – although students must still complete Year 12 exams to qualify.  If a student does not achieve their desired ATAR, ACU offers a range of pathway programs that will help them gain entry into a variety of undergraduate degrees. This includes a unique Foundations Studies course, which is a fee-free pathway program covered by ACU.
Attending ACU Open Days will offer students and their families the best chance to discover what’s on offer at the Blacktown Campus. ACU Open Days will be held as virtual events this year on Saturday 29 August, 5 September and 12 September, 9am-3pm. For more information visit openday.acu.edu.au, visit the ACU website, email askacu@acu.edu.au, or call 1300 275 228.
Students and their families are also welcome to visit the ACU Blacktown Campus information centre at 19 Flushcombe Road to find out more. Opening hours are Tuesday 10am – 12pm, Wednesday 12 – 2pm and Thursday 2 – 5pm.
With thanks to ACU.
