A unified CIT-UC: Our why

Our vision is for a combined post-school education system that brings together CIT and UC through an integrated institutional model (subject to further exploration and due diligence), offering the strongest opportunity to achieve these outcomes and create a vibrant future for both our institutions.

Canberra's future depends on the skills, knowledge and adaptability of its people.

Imagine a seamless post-school education system in the ACT where:

movement between TAFE and university qualifications is seamless;
lifelong learning is simple;
industry and workforce needs are met; and
more Canberrans have access to more opportunities to learn, grow, thrive and succeed.

A unified CIT-UC could unlock these opportunities and create a stronger, more connected post-school education system for the ACT and regional NSW, with better outcomes for Canberra's students, employers and economy.

Message from the Vice-Chancellor

Making the case for a unified CIT-UC

To continue building the ACT's economy and capability, we need a skilled and educated workforce, supported by an equitable, flexible and joined-up post-school education system designed around the student.

To achieve this, we should be removing barriers to entry and creating seamless, simplified transitions between CIT and UC, and vice versa.

Given the importance of a harmonised tertiary education system for Canberra and the region, I would argue that a closer institutional relationship between CIT and UC could deliver better outcomes for students, staff, industry and the ACT economy.

Across Australia, dual-sector institutions demonstrate the value of integrating TAFE and university pathways. These models support student success, improve access to education and help meet workforce and productivity needs.

I see a future where CIT and UC staff enjoy working in a connected, stable and sustainable environment, with the respective current industrial instruments in place: greater collaboration between skills development and knowledge, improved research capability and a more secure future for staff.

Professor the Hon Bill Shorten
Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Canberra

Why now?

The ACT's post-school education system is at a turning point. Changes in the education sector, structural pressures, new technology, financial pressures, and national policy momentum for tertiary harmonisation are driving urgency for change across the Australian post-school system.

At the same time, governance issues at CIT have created a separate but equally pressing need for change that provides stability for students, staff and stakeholders, restores public confidence and ensures CIT's long-term sustainability. UC has been on its own journey to sustainability, completing a well-publicised restructure and governance improvement plan, while weathering the financial shock of changes to Commonwealth Government higher education policy impacting student growth.

A long-term sustainable solution is required, with the opportunity for CIT and UC to create a combined future that meets the skills and capability needs of a growing ACT economy and population, and positions Canberra as a national leader in modern, flexible education.

UC's current partnership with CIT, including eight guaranteed pathways from CIT diplomas into UC degrees, already shows that seamless movement between TAFE and university education is achievable.

We have been here before. So what is different this time?

The ACT Government has previously considered a CIT-UC combination. In 2011, then Education Minister for the Territory Government, Andrew Barr, commissioned the Bradley Review to examine a CIT-UC merger. The Review in principle supported it, but the urgency for change was simply not present at that time.

The strategic environment has shifted significantly since 2011. National policy now favours tertiary harmonisation, UC's governance maturity has strengthened, financial pressures have intensified for both CIT and UC, and stakeholder expectations have evolved.

Guiding principles

In February this year*, leaders from CIT and UC came together to collectively define a more ambitious, system-level approach to tertiary harmonisation across the ACT region.

Together, we set the harmonisation principles below, which have guided us since:

Students first: Seamless experience, shared identity.
Bravery and boldness: Pace, risk appetite, stop/start discipline.
Equity and diversity: Broaden participation.
Prioritise ACT workforce need: Rapid upskilling and regional reach.
Flexibility of delivery: Non-linear Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) pathways.
Genuine industry pathways: Co-design and productivity lens.
Equitable resourcing: Parity of esteem and shared investment.
Co-location as an enabler: Physical and digital integration.

* CIT and UC innovation workshop, February 2026

What a unified CIT-UC would mean

Benefits for students

A harmonised tertiary model would create a connected, student-centred education system in the ACT, where learners can move seamlessly between CIT and UC.

Clearer and simpler pathways, with more personalised learning journeys, whatever your age or stage of life and career.
Support for learners from entry-level qualifications through to advanced degrees.
Ongoing learning opportunities to stay ahead of changing workforce demands, with continuous upskilling and professional development.
Better use of expertise, facilities and resources.
A stronger ability to compete in increasingly challenging education markets.

Benefits for employers

Access to a skilled workforce supports the growth, innovation and competitive advantage of local businesses.

Rapid technological change demands continuous workforce upskilling. A unified CIT-UC could respond more effectively to evolving industry demand.
Stronger pathway alignment and access to placements, internships and apprenticeships for students, which means better workforce development and a streamlined talent pipeline for employers.
Combined TAFE and university capabilities and closer industry engagement would strengthen research and applied innovation and accelerate commercialisation.
Greater resilience against changing market pressures.

Benefits for the community

A unified CIT-UC would create more opportunities for Canberrans to learn, work and thrive.

Simpler, more efficient movement between CIT and UC, with improved access for people at different stages of life, changing careers or looking to gain new skills.
Stronger pathways that support more equitable outcomes, with improved access for underrepresented learners.
A connected system that supports continuous reskilling and personal development, and creates opportunities to keep talent in the ACT, improving socioeconomic outcomes.
Shared resourcing and capacity to deliver better wrap-around student support, increasing participation among equity cohorts.

Benefits for CIT and UC staff

More opportunity. More collaboration. Greater impact.

Certainty of conditions with distinct separate Enterprise Arrangements remaining in place.
More opportunities for staff to collaborate, develop and shape the future of education in Canberra through greater disciplinary breadth and increased options for multi-disciplinary work.
Increased confidence in employment through leadership stability and organisational sustainability, with greater opportunities for professional development.
More career mobility across vocational and university education.
Stronger collaboration between teaching, training and research with continued emphasis on safety and quality .
Scaled operations that better enable investment in workforce development, technology and innovation, infrastructure development and true multi-campus operations.

What coming together might look like

A single 'front door' for students, easing access to all learning options and expanding the breadth of offerings, formalised pathways and available support services.
Embedded commitment to tertiary excellence and innovation, through the establishment of an ACT Institute of Excellence in Post School and Tertiary Education, developing innovation into new ways to integrate and deliver study and get students into the workforce faster.
One front door for First Nations students, through the establishment of a Regional Centre of Indigenous Education Excellence. A combined CIT and UC would be the first time Canberra and regional First Nations students could start in one place and move easily into alternative courses and outcomes.
An increase in new and unique two-way pathways between CIT and UC, and a new generation of education offerings that better meet the evolving needs of students and employers.
Simplified admissions and enhanced Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Recognition of Prior Experience (RPE), creating a unified approach to recruitment and admissions.
Innovation in trades training to support ACT critical industries, using the scale of a combined CIT and UC to design and develop with industry the essential training and facilities needed to allow critical trades (like plumbing and electrotechnology) to flourish.
Formalised and sustained engagement with industry, employers and the community via governance advisory boards, ensuring that insights are continuously captured, translated into action and reflected in offerings.
Connected campuses and learning facilities, including activating the south for university students, through accessible, interconnected and multi-disciplinary use of CIT and UC facilities.
Commitment to support distinct enterprise agreements with protection of existing entitlements for staff, providing certainty for staff as the organisations come together.
Additional representation of students and staff from both CIT and UC through direct election to the Council, including equal representation of CIT and UC staff, students and alumni/graduates.
University course creation that is more responsive to ACT priorities and aligned to ACT skills requirements, through closer and more responsive engagement with the ACT Government and industry.
Opportunity to explore the future use of the Bruce precinct in innovative ways, including options to develop infrastructure for priority sectors (like health and sport).
Protection of the existing, distinct VET fee framework, including maintaining government-subsidised and Fee-Free TAFE places where applicable, affordable qualifications (Certificate II/III), protection of apprenticeship and traineeship fee arrangements, flexible payment options and assistance, and appropriate oversight for any future fee increases.

Consistent with federal policy on post-school education and equity

An integrated (harmonised) post-school education system would help build the ACT’s workforce, increase productivity and secure regional economic growth.

A unified CIT-UC could become the national exemplar of tertiary harmonisation, improve alignment with the Universities Accord and national skills reforms, and create a strong future for both institutions, the ACT and region.

The University of Canberra and CIT represent two interconnected pillars of Canberra's post-school education system, with campuses in the north and south of the city, we would create greater access to education, training and lifelong learning for all Canberrans.
There is a need to future-proof the workforce with a combination of skills and knowledge that better supports the ACT’s workforce needs.
Improved pathways would reduce barriers and improve access to post-school education for people from equity backgrounds.
The benefits of scale, shared capability and strategic alignment via potential areas of educational and functional unification unlock benefits that only the coming together of CIT and UC could deliver.

Pathways in action

Joshua Astron

From CIT to UC: Building skills, expanding opportunities

Joshua’s journey shows the value of a CIT–UC pathway – CIT’s practical learning helped him build programming skills and industry confidence, while his Software Engineering degree from UC opened even more doors to opportunity. Together, CIT and UC provided a seamless pathway from vocational training to university education, helping Joshua turn his passion for technology into a career.

Read Joshua's story

Museerah Suhail

From CIT to UC: The pathway that empowered an accounting career

Museerah discovered her passion for accounting through her studies at the Canberra Institute of Technology, where she completed an Advanced Diploma in Accounting, before getting a Bachelor of Accounting degree from the University of Canberra. With credit given for prior learning, Museerah’s CIT–UC pathway helped her gain practical skills, reduce study time and costs, and secure valuable industry opportunities, including an internship with EY.

Read Museerah's story

Tessa Scanlan

From CIT to UC: Balancing life, backing herself

When Tessa Scanlan returned to study as a mature-aged student, she wasn't just gaining new qualifications – she was building a whole new future. Juggling a full-time career and young family, she used a flexible pathway from CIT to the University of Canberra to pursue her passion for law, proving that it's never too late to fulfil your aspirations.

Read Tessa's story

Josphine Lokai

From CIT to UC: From personal loss to compassionate purpose

A decision to move to Canberra to build a new life following personal loss saw Josphine Lokai pursuing her life purpose: nursing. From studying at CIT and working as an enrolled nurse to graduating with a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Canberra, her journey is defined by resilience, compassion and a commitment to seeing the person – not the illness – when she looks at each of her patients.

Read Josphine's story

We want to hear from you

We would like to hear your thoughts, opinions and perceptions of what a unified CIT-UC could be for students, staff and the ACT.

If you have moved between CIT and UC, or UC and CIT, we would love to hear your story too.

You can also follow the Legislative Assembly inquiry's public hearings.