Key Dates

The key dates below are for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students. These dates are subject to change. For more information on key dates, please refer to our Academic Calendars.

When to Apply

We encourage you to submit your application at least three months before your desired term. 

Term Starts

Classes for each term start as follows:

2025

Term 1 – Monday, 10 March
Term 2 – Monday, 14 July
Term 3 – Monday, 10 November

2026

Term 1 – Monday, 9 March
Term 2 – Monday, 13 July
Term 3 – Monday, 9 November

Recommended Arrival

Plan to be in Australia about four weeks before classes start. This is to ensure you have enough time to arrange your long-term accommodation, attend orientation and finalise your check-in on-campus.

2025

Term 1 – Monday, 10 February
Term 2 – Monday, 16 June
Term 3 – Monday, 13 October

2026

Term 1 – Monday, 9 February
Term 2 – Monday, 15 June
Term 3 – Monday, 12 October

You can find more information on pre-arrival such as what to expect and settling in on our Planning Your Arrival and Studying in Australia page.

Orientation 

Orientation is usually scheduled the week before classes start. 

2025

Term 1 – Monday, 3 March to Friday, 7 March
Term 2 – Monday, 7 July to Friday, 11 July
Term 3 – Monday, 3 November to Friday, 7 November

2026

Term 1 – Monday, 2 March to Friday, 6 March
Term 2 – Monday, 6 July to Friday, 10 July
Term 3 – Monday, 2 November to Friday, 6 November

You can book in to specific orientation events, both on-campus and online after you've enrolled by logging into MyCQU. For more information, please check our Orientation page.

Enrolment

As a new international student, you must enrol after receiving your student visa. You can do this by logging into MyCQU.

If you are studying your course online from your home country or if you are in Australia on a visa other than a student visa, you can enrol as soon as we finalise your acceptance. The last day to enrol is:

2025

Term 1 – Friday, 14 March
Term 2 – Friday, 18 July
Term 3 – Friday, 14 November

2026

Term 1 – Friday, 13 March
Term 2 – Friday, 17 July
Term 3 – Friday, 13 November

For more information, please check our Enrolment page.

Census Date

Census date is the last day you can withdraw from enrolled units without academic or financial penalty.

2025

Term 1 – Tuesday, 1 April
Term 2 – Tuesday, 5 August
Term 3 – Tuesday, 2 December

2026

Term 1 – Tuesday, 31 March
Term 2 – Tuesday, 4 August
Term 3 – Tuesday, 1 December

Census date for Research Higher Degree students is the due date to pay fees for the relevant enrolment period. Research Higher Degree students do not have their fees for an enrolment period reversed when withdrawing prior to the Census Date. Research Higher Degree students are liable for any relevant fees up until the effective date of their withdrawal.

2025

Research First Half Year – Sunday, 29 June
Research Second Half Year – Tuesday, 30 December

2026

Research First Half Year – Monday, 29 June
Research Second Half Year – Wednesday, 30 December

Orientation Highlights