CQUniversity welcomes bi-partisan commitment to Cairns

CQUniversity has today welcomed a bi-partisan $27.5 million election commitment to fund the second stage of the new CQUniversity Cairns CBD campus, building on the $50 million already provided at the last federal election.

The additional funding will now enable the expansion of the campus to deliver critically needed allied health degrees, including a new medical imaging program, and significantly boost the region’s ability to grow its own workforce by increasing the campus’s capacity to service up to 6000 students across all modes of study.

CQUniversity’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Klomp explained that during the design process for the new campus, engagement with industry and local stakeholders highlighted that current and future education, training and health needs of the region had evolved.  

“Since the original funding commitment, we undertook a detailed design process that identified an opportunity to deliver an expanded world-class facility that is responsive to the current and emerging workforce and skill needs of Far North Queensland. 

“CQUniversity has a very strong track record when it comes to responding to challenges facing our communities and industries.

“Last year, we introduced a local physiotherapy course and since its introduction, we have filled all the student places in the program – something that has the potential to see an additional 40-50 physiotherapists serving the region in three to four years from now.   

“By introducing new courses in high-demand areas such as occupational therapy, medical imaging and exercise physiology, CQUniversity is helping to tackle the acute health workforce shortages facing Far North Queensland, ensuring more local students can train, qualify and stay to work in the region.

“Specifically, we all know that medical imaging services in Far North Queensland are under significant pressure due to workforce shortages, and with a commitment for the expanded campus, our plan to bring this on from 2026 through a partnership with Queensland X-ray will yield the same powerful results for the region. 

“We are incredibly grateful to both major parties for their commitment to invest $27.5 million in the future of Cairns. This will be a game changing investment and a transformational moment for education and health in the Far North. 

“Today’s commitment is a clear vote of confidence in Cairns – in its people, its potential, and its future. 

“I look forward to continuing our positive and productive conversations with all sides of government as we move forward with the new campus and give certainty to the local community that they will soon have a purpose-built campus to meet the education and training needs of the future health workforce.”  

CQUniversity is planning to commence work on the new CBD campus later this year with the opening slated for Term 1, 2028.