Our focus

Undergraduate education and initial teacher preparation

Ensuring ACU undergraduate programs, including the Graduate Certificate in Religious Education, prepare primary and secondary teachers effectively for employment in contemporary Catholic schools through academically rigorous, mission-aligned formation.

Catholic practice and spiritual formation

Providing undergraduate students preparing for teaching in Catholic schools with structured, formally recognised opportunities for Catholic practice, spiritual formation and engagement in social justice.

Postgraduate leadership and formation programs

Ensuring ACU postgraduate programs, including the Master of Educational Leadership, Master of Professional Studies in Theology, Master of Religious Education and Graduate Certificate in Catholic Studies, remain responsive, flexible and aligned with the evolving needs of Catholic school leaders.

Catholic school accreditation

Designing and delivering programs that support teachers without formal study in religious education to become appropriately credentialled and confident to teach and teach religious education in Catholic school contexts.

Mission partnerships with Catholic education authorities

Collaborating with Catholic Education Offices and other Catholic school authorities to deliver a continuum of services, from professional learning to doctoral supervision, ensuring sustainable, effective and high-quality formation and leadership development.

Formation of ecclesial leaders

Reviewing and developing programs that ensure current and future leaders are equipped with the theological knowledge, ecclesial understanding and leadership capability required for effective service in Church and education contexts.

Resources for faith formation and religious education

Producing journals and other scholarly and practice-based resources, particularly digital resources, that support academics and practitioners nationally and internationally in faith formation and religious education.

Research in mission, identity and formation

Undertaking collaborative research with Catholic education authorities and Church agencies in the areas of Catholic school mission and identity, faith formation, religious education and leadership.

Engagement with parishes and ecclesial communities

Exploring and developing programs that support those engaged in ministry within parishes, dioceses, and other ecclesial communities and agencies.

International engagement and partnerships

Building partnerships with international Catholic authorities and universities, engaging global scholars in the work of the academy, and attracting international students to ACU programs in Catholic school mission and identity, faith formation, religious education and leadership.

Academy membership: capability and development

Supporting academy members through professional learning and collaboration to develop the capabilities required to design and deliver formation programs that advance the aspirations of the New Evangelisation.