Start well with CDU
Get set-up for study now so that you can focus on learning by following the steps below.
If you have questions, reach out to Student Central or talk to your academic team. We're here to make sure you get the most out of your time with CDU.
1. Activate your student account
Watch our 'How to activate your CDU account' video for a visual guide.
Whether you're studying online or on campus, activating your student account is an important step.
Your student account will help you a lot throughout your studies. Once activated, you'll have your university and email access to all the essential systems and applications.
Visit DTS to read important information about your computer account.
Need help with your computer account?
Visit the DTS website
Contact the DTS Service Desk by calling (08) 7943 6600
Visit the IT Kiosk, Casuarina campus, Red Building 8
2. Enrol in your units
Once your account is activated, you can manage your enrolment and contact details on MyStudentInfo.
Need help? Check out our guide to enrolling.
Top tip: Have your Unique Student Identifier (USI) number ready for enrolment.
3. Get your student card
Your student card is your everything card. It will be your key to accessing CDU facilities, including, the library and computer labs, printing, and scanning, and will allow you to sit exams. You'll also be able to use your ID to get student discounts at relevant businesses.
Your student card is free, but you'll need to get a new one every year before it expires. Don't forget to apply yearly, as we won't automatically send you a new one. Top tip: Put a reminder in your calendar so you don’t forget.
How to get your student card
Online
To get your student card online, complete and submit the Student Card eForm (login to the CDU Portal, select eForms and select Student Card eForm).
Top tip: Check that you've attached all the required documentation.
In-person
To get your student card in person, visit Student Central at any CDU campus. You'll need to bring your photographic ID (Australian Driver's Licence or passport).
CDU campuses in Alice Springs, Casuarina, Palmerston and Darwin Waterfront offer a ‘while you wait‘ service.
Our other centres have a turnaround of three working days before your student card will be ready for collection.
4. Watch Post-Orientation recordings
Orientation may be over, but there is so much in store for you.
Whether you are a domestic or international student, we want to continue making you feel connected and supported for study in your first semester at university.
If you missed any sessions during Orientation, do not worry. All recordings are available to ensure you get essential information.
5. Explore the Start Well Guide
You will have access to links, how-tos, tips, and tricks for a great first semester. The guide is designed for all new students and can be accessed at any time during your course
6. Connect with your CDU community
Whether you are studying online or on-campus, there are so many ways to make the most of your CDU experience and connect with our student community.
Get involved
Log in to your student portal and discover upcoming events and orientation catch-up sessions to attend, student groups to join and community news written by students for students.
Start well with CDU
Get set-up for study now so that you can focus on learning by following the steps below.
As a new international student, there will be important information that you need to be aware of before arriving in Australia and commencing your studies.
1. Activate your student account
Watch our 'How to activate your CDU account' video for a visual guide.
Whether you're studying online or on campus, activating your student account is an important step.
Your student account will help you a lot throughout your studies. Once activated, you'll have your university and email access to all the essential systems and applications.
Visit DTS to read important information about your computer account.
Need help with your computer account?
Visit the DTS website
Contact the DTS Service Desk by calling (08) 7943 6600
Visit the IT Kiosk, Casuarina campus, Red Building 8
2. Enrol in your units
Note: You will not be able to enrol until you have received your offer letter and Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from the CDU Global team.
Once your account is activated, you can manage your enrolment and contact details on MyStudentInfo.
Need help? Check out our guide to enrolling.
Top tip: Have your Unique Student Identifier (USI) number ready for enrolment.
3. Get your student card
Your student card is your everything card. It will be your key to accessing CDU facilities, including, the library and computer labs, printing, and scanning, and will allow you to sit exams. You'll also be able to use your ID to get student discounts at relevant businesses.
Your student card is free, but you'll need to get a new one every year before it expires. Don't forget to apply yearly, as we won't automatically send you a new one. Top tip: Put a reminder in your calendar so you don’t forget.
How to get your student card
Online
To get your student card online, complete and submit the Student Card eForm (login to the CDU Portal, select eForms and select Student Card eForm).
Top tip: Check that you've attached all the required documentation.
In-person
To get your student card in person, visit Student Central at any CDU campus. You'll need to bring your photographic ID (Australian Driver's Licence or passport).
CDU campuses in Alice Springs, Casuarina, Palmerston and Darwin Waterfront offer a ‘while you wait‘ service.
Our other centres have a turnaround of three working days before your student card will be ready for collection.
4. Watch Post-Orientation recordings
Orientation may be over, but there is so much in store for you.
Whether you are a domestic or international student, we want to continue making you feel connected and supported for study in your first semester at university.
If you missed any sessions during Orientation, do not worry. All recordings are available to ensure you get essential information.
5. Explore the Start Well Guide
You will have access to links, how-tos, tips, and tricks for a great first semester. The guide is designed for all new students and can be accessed at any time during your course
6. Connect with your CDU community
Whether you are studying online or on-campus, there are so many ways to make the most of your CDU experience and connect with our student community.
Get involved
Log in to your student portal and discover upcoming events and orientation catch-up sessions to attend, student groups to join and community news written by students for students.
Advanced standing
Advanced standing is a way for you to get credits towards your course from previous achievements. This can include previous study you've completed, work experience or other life experience you've gained.
If you're an international student, you might have already applied for advanced standing when you enrolled.
Experience mattersEnrolling essentials
Enrolling is the fun part. Here you will choose the units you want to study.
What is a unit? This is just a fancy way of saying subject.
Your student number and your Unique Student Identifier (USI)
Student number
Your student number is specific to CDU. We use this to identify you throughout your studies. All student numbers start with an 'S' followed by 6 digits. For example, S123456.
Find your student number
If you're a Higher Education student, you'll find your student number at the top of your offer letter.
If you're a TAFE student, you'll receive an email with your student number after applying for your course.
Unique Student Identifier (USI)
Your USI is a nationally recognised number used to create an online record of your qualifications and training. So, if you've done previous study, you might already have a USI.
USI numbers are now an Australian Government requirement for all Higher Education (HE) and TAFE students. All students require a USI to be able to graduate and receive their award.
Higher Education students will need a Unique Student Identifier (USI) to be eligible for Commonwealth supported places (CSPs) and Commonwealth financial assistance (HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP or OS-HELP). You need to provide CDU with your USI before the census date to remain enrolled.
Create your Unique Student Identifier
Applying for a USI is free, and you will have the same USI for life. You can apply for a USI in as little as five minutes by visiting usi.gov.au.
What's the difference between enrolment and admission?
Enrolment can sometimes get confused with admission. Here's the difference:
- Admission just means you are in our system as studying a particular course. Depending on your type of course and how you applied, admission steps might differ. Check out the last step of your application process for more information.
- Enrolling means selecting the units you wish to study or need to study, to complete your course.
If you're a Higher Education student
You can study up to 40 credit points a semester, so that's 80 credit points each year.
International students need to maintain a 40 credit point study load (unless there are exceptional circumstances, in which case you can apply to reduce your study load).
For domestic students, 30-40 credit points are considered a full-time study load. 10-20 credits is part-time.
If you're a TAFE student
Your number of units varies depending on the course and how it is being delivered.
Your lecturer will discuss this with you when they get in touch after you make your application.
In each unit, you might have lectures, tutorials, practicals or training sessions. This depends on what is the best way to teach your unit.
What are census dates?
The census dates is the last date that you can withdraw from a unit without receiving a financial penalty. The census dates for Higher Education and TAFE differ.
Check out important dates to find out more.
Login to the CDU portal
Your student portal will become your best friend at University. It's an online portal that gives you access to all your study essentials.
Below are a few of the applications you can access through the portal.
Student academic integrity
Academic integrity is the expectation that students will act with honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility.
New commencing Higher Education students must complete the mandatory Academic Integrity module on Learnline to demonstrate understanding of academic misconduct.
Find out moreLife and wellbeing
Having the right support can be the secret to success. We provide access to counselling, financial support, study skills, and careers information to help you achieve your goals.
Get setup to study
Get involved
Stay up to date with all things student life at CDU by following our Facebook page. Here you'll find updates about events and what's happening around the University.
Join a student group
Student groupsGetting around
Transport
There are regular bus routes that cover Darwin and Palmerston and Alice Springs.
Student concession for bus travel applies seven days a week for CDU students. You must present your Student ID card to the bus driver to get a concession.
The major bus interchanges are located at Casuarina Shopping Centre, Palmerston interchange and Darwin interchange.
You can plan your journey with the bus tracker app.
Parking
There are a few different options for parking at CDU.
Free parking, parking permits and pay and display parking are available at Casuarina and Palmerston campuses. Parking at Alice Springs campus is free.
Other CDU campuses and centres don’t include CDU parking facilities.
For more information about parking visit the Office of Facilities Management.
Safety and Emergency
SafeZone
SafeZone is a free app to help you stay safe at CDU. It provides:
- updates on emergencies like floods, fires and cyclones
- information to help you practice Safezone emergency responses on campus
- quick access to on-campus security
- alerts regarding on-campus dangers, such as an active shooter
- notifications for current critical situations that may impact you, your teaching team, or your classmates.
Critical incident response
If the University needs to go into a partial or full lockdown due to a critical incident, follow the Escape. Hide. Tell. principle. Learn more.