Through the ongoing support of the Federal Government's Higher Education Participation and Partnership Program (HEPPP) ACU is committed to increasing the participation of students from groups under-represented in higher education.

As part of this mission, ACU offers a number of widening participation programs exclusively to schools in low-socioeconomic areas.

Learn more about our participation programs and workshops, or contact the Equity and Inclusion team.

Programs for schools and students

ACU widening participation

Discover our school outreach programs, which aim to support and encourage primary and secondary school students to consider higher education as a future option.

Primary school programs

Learn more about our range of programs for primary school students, including on-campus tours, in-school visits and numeracy activities.

Browse primary school programs

Secondary school programs

Explore our programs for secondary school students, including on-campus tours, in-school visits and student shadowing opportunities.

Browse secondary school programs

WP Student Ambassadors Team

Our student ambassadors work with primary and secondary students to show that university can be attainable for everyone.

Meet our WP student ambassadors

Other programs

ACu community engagement

Learn about our programs and workshops for school students.

Uni Step-Up

Experience uni life before finishing secondary school. Through Uni Step-Up, Year 11-12 students can study a first-year ACU unit.

Discover Uni Step-Up

Year 12 workshops

Our workshops provide Year 12 students with study tips, revision, and strategies to improve your results.

Explore our VCE Workshops

Explore our NSW HSC Workshops

Explore our QLD QCE workshops

Uni Ready Now

Kick start your preparation for Uni and beyond in this program which explores pathways, develops academic skills and professional capabilities.

Find out more about Uni Ready Now

Professional development

Free professional development opportunities for staff at Widening Participation partner schools.

Explore our professional development opportunities

Widening Participation Plan

Equity and Inclusion are integral to Australian Catholic University's (ACU) mission. Widening participation through the provision of equitable access, participation and success in higher education are key practical ways ACU lives our Catholic mission to promote the dignity of the human person and contribute to the common good. At ACU equity is everyone’s business. For more information, download the ACU Widening Participation Plan.

ACU’s Widening Participation Plan 2023 – 2026 (PDF, 2.3MB)

Got a participation question? Contact our Equity and Inclusion team

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