• Section 1 - Policy Statement
• Section 2 - Policy Scope
• Section 3 - Definitions
• Section 4 - Construction of the Common Academic Calendar
• Section 5 - Application of the Common Academic Calendar
• Section 6 - Timeline
• Section 7 - Publication
• Section 8 - Revisions Made to This Policy
• Section 9 -  Associated Information

Section 1 - Policy Statement

(1) This Policy provides the framework for the setting of the Common Academic Calendar and Study Periods at ACU to ensure that important academic dates are scheduled in advance. It provides direction for the planning and offering of courses and units at ACU.

Section 2 - Policy Scope

(2) This Policy applies to all ACU campuses, academic programs, staff and students.

Section 3 - Definitions

(3) The terms used in this Policy are consistent with the Glossary of Student and Course Terms.

Section 4 - Construction of the Common Academic Calendar

(4) The Common Academic Calendar will operate as the baseline against which the Academic Regulations and other student policies are applied.

(5) The Common Academic Calendar will be developed with consideration to the Universities Australia guidance particularly in relation to the starting date of standard study periods.

(6) The Common Academic Calendar will consist of:

1. two standard Study periods (semesters) of seventeen weeks each consisting of:
   1. twelve weeks of teaching/class contact;
   2. a one week mid-semester recess or study week, in line with the Universities Australia Common Vacation Week schedule;
   3. a one week pre-examination study week;
   4. a maximum three week official examination period.
2. A five week recess between Semesters one and two, one week of which should also coincide with the Universities Australia common vacation week schedule.
3. Non-standard study periods, described as:
   1. Summer Term;
   2. Winter Term;
   3. Professional Terms 1 to 8;
   4. ACU Terms 1 to 4;
   5. Research Terms A, B, C and D;
   6. Foundation Terms 1, 2, 3 and 4;
   7. International (offshore) Trimesters 1, 2 and 3;
   8. ELICOS Terms 1 to 9.
4. Dates for Orientation, Enrolment and the Universities Australia Common Vacation Weeks.

(7) There will be two administrative reporting periods being:

1. First Half-Year Period incorporates the following:
   1. Summer Term;
   2. Winter Term;
   3. Professional Terms 1 to 4;
   4. Foundation Terms 1 and 2;  
   5. International (offshore) Trimester 1;
   6. ACU Terms 1 and 2; and
   7. Semester One.
2. Second Half-Year Period incorporates the following:
   1. Professional Terms 5 to 8;
   2. Foundation Terms 3 and 4;
   3. International (offshore) Trimesters 2 and 3;
   4. ACU Terms 3 and 4; and
   5. Semester Two.

Section 5 - Application of the Common Academic Calendar

(8) The Common Academic Calendar will apply to all academic programs delivered by ACU regardless of location or study mode.

(9) Any variation from the Common Academic Calendar must be approved in advance by the Academic Registrar as set out in Section 3 of the Common Academic Calendar Procedure.

Section 6 - Timeline

(10) The Common Academic Calendar will normally be developed and approved two years in advance.

Section 7 - Publication

(11) The Common Academic Calendar will be published via the ACU website.

(12) Extracts from the Common Academic Calendar will be provided to Universities Australia for inclusion in its published list of principal academic dates for its member Universities.

Section 8 - Revisions Made to This Policy

(13) The revision table includes revisions up until this document was migrated into the current policy platform. Any later changes will show in the Status and Details tab.

Section 9 -  Associated Information

(14) For related legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines and any supporting resources please refer to the Associated Information tab.