The Australian Catholic University (ACU National) is one of 38 Australian Government funded public universities. It is open to all, regardless of nationality, culture or religious background. Established as a university in 1991, it can nevertheless trace its education origins in Australia back to the mid 19th Century when a range of Catholic institutions prepared students for Teaching and Nursing careers.

ACU National sees itself as part of a history of intellectual and philosophical inquiry and teaching that is linked to the establishment of the first universities in Europe in the Middle Ages. Those early universities took advantage of a wide range of learning that was derived from the monastic traditions of the church itself, and from Greek, Jewish and Islamic intellectual and philosophical knowledge and wisdom. In its approach to education ACU National also identifies strongly with a commitment to truth, promotion of the common good and human dignity, and respect for academic freedom.

This approach makes ACU National graduates unique. They not only receive an excellent academic education, but in the process they engage with the social and ethical dimensions of learning. They will therefore be highly competent in their chosen fields, ethical in their behaviour, and have a commitment to serving the common good.

A national university
ACU National has more than 16,000 students, including 2,500 from overseas, studying on its six campuses on the east coast of Australia: in Melbourne, Ballarat, Canberra, North Sydney, Strathfield and Brisbane. Currently around 60 Sri Lankan students are studying at ACU in a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. ACU is regarded as a national leader in the field of Nursing education, Teacher education, and Exercise Science but it also offers a range of accredited degree programmes in other disciplines, including: business, accountancy, environmental science, educational leadership, exercise science, social science, social work, psychology, arts, visual arts and design, music and theology.

The university offers students a choice of study location in three Australian states: New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, competitive tuition fees, flexible degree pathways - including diploma and ELICOS programmes - and first class pastoral care.

All of its campuses offer an extensive range of academic and social support services, and have easy access to transport networks. In 2008, the Good Universities Guide awarded ACU National the highest rating for graduate outcomes and graduate salaries.