Central Queensland University Mackay, City Campus

CQUniversity Australia has been on a phenomenal trajectory in recent years and its remarkable growth in student numbers, new courses, new campuses, infrastructure and reputation has seen it emerge as one of Australia’s truly great universities.

Originally founded in Rockhampton in 1967, as the Queensland Institute of Technology (QIT) Capricornia, it was granted full University status in 1992 and was named the University of Central Queensland. The University rebranded to CQUniversity in 2009 and now has more than 30 000 students. It has firmly established itself as one of the largest universities based in regional Australia, with campuses in Adelaide, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Melbourne, Noosa, Perth, Rockhampton, Sydney and Townsville. Along with these campuses, the University also operates study centres in Biloela, Broome, Busselton, Karratha and Yeppoon, and delivers programs in Cooma, Geraldton and Port Pirie, thanks to partnerships with the respective university centres in those communities.

In 2014, CQUniversity merged with CQ TAFE bringing together more than 175 years of combined experience in the delivery of education and training and establishing Queensland’s first comprehensive, dual sector university. As a result, CQUniversity now delivers more than 300 education and training offerings, from short courses and certificates, through to undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees. Study areas include apprenticeships, trades and training, business, accounting and law, creative, performing and visual arts, education and humanities, engineering and built environment, health, information technology and digital media, psychology, social work and community services, science and environment, and work and study preparation. As a pioneer in the delivery of distance education, CQUniversity also continues to be a leader in this area with almost half of the current student cohort made up of students studying off-campus, many of whom are based in rural and remote areas.

After more than half a century working with stakeholders in regional Australia, CQUniversity is now a renowned research institution in several key disciplines and the benchmark leader for how universities should engage and collaborate with communities and industry. Its applied research focus is oriented towards real-world outcomes, with the purpose of providing solutions to challenges and identifying new opportunities for advancement in our regions and beyond.

In 2018, this research focus saw CQUniversity achieve Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) results of ‘above’ or ‘well above’ world standard in 13 categories of research including Mathematical Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Horticultural Production, Engineering, Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Psychology, Agriculture and Vet Sciences, Agricultural, Land and Farm Management, Public Health and Health Services and Nursing.

CQUniversity is proud to be recognised as Australia’s most inclusive university with some of the highest ratios of students from disadvantaged, mature age, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and first-in-family backgrounds. This inclusive approach and commitment to access and participation mean the University defines itself by who it embraces, rather than who it excludes.

Graduates from CQUniversity also have some of the best employment outcomes in Australia, with recent data released by the Graduate Outcomes Survey indicating that 79.9 per cent of domestic undergraduate students find full-time employment within four months of graduation, compared to the national average of 71.9 per cent. Data released by the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) also shows that CQUniversity outperforms the majority of Australian universities when it comes to the overall student experience and graduate salary outcomes.

CQUniversity places a strong emphasis on social innovation and global outreach and fosters a number of key partnerships with communities, industry and government, both in Australia and overseas. This commitment to engagement and social advancement has led to CQUniversity being recognised as Australia’s first and only Changemaker Campus by Ashoka U, an exclusive global social innovation group made up of only 40 education institutions across the world.

CQUniversity’s unique vision for diversity, outreach, engagement, research, learning and teaching, and inclusiveness, combined with its growth aspirations and continued expansion of student success, research excellence, social innovation and community engagement, has led to it being recognised within the top 600 universities in the world by the prestigious Times Higher Education World Rankings, and among the world’s best ‘young universities’ by both the Times Higher Education and QS World University Rankings.

CQUniversity Mackay City

• Conveniently located on Sydney Street in the heart of the Mackay CBD, CQUniversity Mackay City (Former CQ TAFE) campus offers a wide range of study options from certificates and diplomas to undergraduate courses.
• Facilities available on the campus include extended hours computer laboratories, a training restaurant, a hair dressing salon, a beauty salon, gym, library and student common areas.

The Emerald campus boasts modern facilities designed to create an engaging learning environment. It is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including computer labs, lecture theatres, and interactive study spaces. The campus features a well-resourced library, providing access to a collection of books, journals, and online databases to support students in their academic pursuits.

One of the campus's highlights is the state-of-the-art Engineering and Technology Precinct, which hosts various programs, including engineering, built environment, and asset management. The precinct has specialised laboratories, workshops, and simulation equipment, enabling students to gain hands-on experience in their respective fields.

CQUniversity Emerald Campus places a strong emphasis on student well-being and success. It offers comprehensive support services to help students navigate their academic journey. Some of these services include:

Academic support: Students have access to academic advisors, study skills workshops, and tutoring services to help them achieve their academic goals.

Career guidance: The campus offers career counselling, resume workshops, and job search assistance to help students transition from university to the workforce.

Counselling and mental health support: Professional counselling services are available to assist students with personal or emotional challenges during their time at the university.

Disability support: The campus provides a range of services to accommodate students with disabilities, ensuring equal access to education and campus facilities.

While Central Queensland University Emerald Campus does not offer on-campus accommodation, students can find numerous off-campus housing options in the surrounding area.