Construction of the first stage is expected to be completed by early 2028. Indicative image only.
20 October 2025
In brief:
- Construction has started on the first stage of UNSW Canberra City.
- The campus is expected to attract about 6,000 students and educators.
- Construction of the first stage is expected to be completed by early 2028.
Construction has begun on UNSW Canberra City.
It will be located on the corner of Constitution Avenue and Coranderrk Street in Parkes.
UNSW Canberra City is expected to attract about 6,000 students and educators to Canberra.
The campus will provide education, research and innovation in areas such as:
- defence
- cyber security
- artificial intelligence
- digital engineering
- climate policy
- public policy.
Stage 1 of the development
Construction has started on the first stage of the development.
This includes construction of two six-storey, multi-use buildings.
The buildings will feature:
- teaching and research spaces
- retail offerings
- cultural offerings
- student-focused spaces
- facilities for new and existing industry partners.
This stage is expected to be completed in time to welcome students in early 2028.
Construction and design
Construction Control will build the UNSW Canberra City campus.
Construction is expected to deliver around 350 new local jobs.
Architecture firm Hassell is designing the new campus.
The design has a strong focus on environmental sustainability and connection to Country.
The buildings will feature low-carbon materials, energy-efficient systems and climate-responsive design.
Landscaped green spaces, pedestrian pathways and end-of-trip facilities will support vehicle-free transport, like bicycles.
The campus will celebrate First Nations culture through design.
This includes:
- design and colour elements that represent land and sea
- native plant species that reflect the local ecology
- women-led spaces and art representing women’s stories
- spaces designed to support storytelling, dialogue and community connection.
When can I enrol?
UNSW is currently providing short course and online education offerings at what was previously the CIT Reid campus.
The university launched its first undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Cyber Security, in early 2025 at the Reid campus.
Postgraduate programs on offer include:
- Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security Leadership
- Graduate Certificate in Policy Leadership.
This list will continue to grow as the campus is developed.
Applications are now open for Semester 1, 2026.
More information about UNSW Canberra City is available on Built for CBR and the UNSW website.
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