Released 20/10/2025
Today construction kicks off on Stage 1 of UNSW Canberra City.
The new campus will play a key role in revitalising the eastern edge of Canberra’s CBD, significantly enhancing activity in the precinct and connectivity to the city centre.
It will also bring substantial economic and social benefits to the city, creating jobs and attracting about 6000 more students and educators to Canberra when complete.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the development is one of several large-scale projects currently underway as part of the biggest transformation of our city centre since self-government, and one the ACT Government was proud to support.
“The ACT Government is contributing $25 million to the development of this new education precinct, in addition to covering remediation and land provision in the city centre’s south-east,” The Chief Minister said.
“This is a strategic investment in Canberra’s future, strengthening our higher education offering and cementing our city as Australia’s knowledge capital. In positioning Canberra as a leading destination for education, research, and investment, we will continue to grow as a city and offer students greater choice through new innovative academic partnerships and programs.
“That’s why it’s also pleasing to see a strong focus on areas such as cybersecurity, defence, artificial intelligence, climate, and public policy. These are critical fields for Australia’s future, and skilling people for jobs in these knowledge-intensive sectors is a key priority, aligning with our broader goals of economic diversification and building a resilient, future-ready workforce.”
During the construction phase, the development will also generate new local jobs, providing a boost to Canberra’s building sector and support local businesses in the CBD.
UNSW has a longstanding connection to Canberra. UNSW Canberra City will strengthen this connection and further diversify Canberra’s tertiary education landscape.
Stage 1 of the UNSW Canberra City, located at the corner of Constitution Avenue and Coranderrk Street in Parkes, is expected to open in early 2028. More information can be found at: https://www.unsw.edu.au/canberra/about-us/our-campuses/city/about-precinct/parkes.
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Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases