Away from Base (AFB) Program
The AFB program enables eligible students to participate in the necessary academic components of an approved mixed mode/online course that requires students to travel away from their permanent home or study location for a short period.
An AFB program assists and supports First Nations students with the reasonable costs of meals, travel, and accommodation while attending compulsory course requirements such as placements, practicums, clinical training blocks, and field trips.
Please email the Away-from-Base Team for more information and to discuss your eligibility.
Email: afb@cdu.edu.au
AFB Student Stories
Stuart Yiwarr McGrath
Improving health outcomes for all First Nations people is the driving force behind Stuart Yiwarr McGrath's aspirations of becoming a registered nurse. The AFB program supported Stuart with the costs of his clinical Placements in regional and remote Australia.
Stuart graduated in 2024 and has co-authored and presented papers at national and international forums and conferences, with a focus on cultural safety in a clinical environment.
Lala Gutchen
The Away-from-Base program enables me to travel to attend course-intensive workshops in Darwin and to expand my horizons through the Erub Living First Language Program, ensuring our sacred language continues to thrive for generations to come.
The Diploma of Arts, Languages and Linguistics represents a strategic pathway to bridge my traditional cultural knowledge with academic linguistics. CDU offers a culturally safe learning environment among fellow First Nations students, providing the national qualifications necessary to teach my native language formally. This program allows me to explore diverse linguistic traditions, enhance my understanding of language structures, and prepare for future academic advancement.
Key people
Student Programs Manager: Yasmin Crawshaw | email | Staff profile
Program Coordinator Away from Base: Marie Khan | email | Staff profile
Project Assistant Away from Base: Tarmler Clarke | email | Staff profile
CDU resources and services
A computer lab and student common area are available for Indigenous students studying at the Casuarina campus. You will find both in Blue 2, level 1.20 in the Indigenous Support Services area.
CDU study resources:
- Library workshops calendar
- Academic Language and Learning Success Program (ALLSP)
- Study Skills
- Learnline Guides
CDU support services:
Higher Education Pathways
At CDU, there is a study pathway for everyone.
As CDU is a dual-sector university, we offer both TAFE courses and Higher Education courses including undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees. CDU also offers short courses and enabling courses to get you back into the swing of studying if it’s been a while.
CDU has Enabling Courses for students who don’t meet the standard course entry requirements or would just like a refresher about what it’s like to study at Uni today.
We offer a free Tertiary Enabling Program (TEP) and a range of pathway programs for Indigenous students. You’ll have the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence you’ll need to succeed at university.
Explore our course and student types, admission requirements and pathways to study so you can apply with confidence.