Your guide to university open days in 2024

Wondering how to make the most of uni open days this year—and whether you should even go, if you're planning to study online? We've gathered all the key information for you, including dates you can put straight in your calendar.

Two female university students looking down at paperwork

If you’re still making up your mind about what—and how—you’d like to study in 2025, then attending a university open day can be a great way to narrow down your choices (though you can also book a call with us to ask about different universities right now). 

It doesn’t matter if you’re planning to study online or on-campus. At open day, you can find out about different courses, chat to careers experts and tour facilities, which can give you a lot of clarity around the direction you’d like to take your future. 

But how should you prepare to get the most out of the day? Consider this your open day cheat sheet.  

What is a university open day?

During a university open day, a higher education institution will open its campus to the public. This allows prospective students to explore everything the institution has to offer. Every university in Australia will hold an open day, so you can attend more than one if you’d like to compare different courses and facilities. 

Everyone is welcome to attend a university open day, including high school students, parents and mature-age professionals who are thinking about studying. You can also attend if you’re planning to study online. 

What can you expect at a university open day?

At an on-campus open day, you’ll have the chance to:   

  • Attend undergraduate and postgraduate course information sessions
  • Tour practical course facilities like medical clinics and science labs
  • Tour campus facilities like the library, student support centres, gyms and cafes  
  • Tour on-campus accommodation
  • Meet academic staff and other students and ask questions about study life
  • Check out student social clubs
  • Chat to staff about anything to do with the application process, including fees, scholarships and admission pathways
  • Get some free uni swag 

Can you attend open day virtually?

While most universities have shifted their open days back on campus, some still host virtual open day events for those who can’t attend in person (see our list below).   

Virtual open day events may be offered on a specific day only, or on-demand all year long—it really depends on the uni.

But how does a virtual open day work? You’ll generally get to:

  • Watch live or pre-recorded course information video sessions
  • Video chat with career advisors and industry experts
  • Video chat with teaching staff about courses
  • View virtual campus tours
  • Attend virtual library tours
  • Attend webinars hosted by admissions staff on the application process, fees, scholarships, course entry requirements and alternative admission pathways

How to prepare for an open day

To get as much as possible out of your day (no matter how you plan to be there), we recommend following this checklist:

  1. Make note of the courses and study areas you’d like to learn about.
  2. Visit the university’s open day page to find out when and how its open day will be held (we have a list of dates below).
  3. Register for the open day online in case spots fill up. 
  4. Review the schedule of events and plan out your day. This may be emailed to you after you register. 
  5. Prepare a list of questions you’d like to ask teaching staff, current students and admissions staff.
  6. Download a campus map if you’re attending in person. 
  7. Pack a pen, notebook and water bottle, plus a carry bag for all the course guides and brochures you’ll receive during the day. 

Questions to ask at a university open day

Remember, open day is your chance to speak to current students, teaching staff, career advisors and admissions staff about anything you’d like to know. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of this because their answers could give you a whole new perspective on the study area you’re interested in. 

Here are a few example questions to get you started:

  • How much time will I need to spend on studying every week?
  • How is this course assessed? Will there be group assignments, solo projects or both?
  • How much reading is required?
  • Are there opportunities to gain practical experience in this course (like internships, placements or industry projects)?
  • Is the course more practical or theoretical?
  • (If it’s an online course) will I ever be required to come to campus?
  • How does online study for this course work?
  • What have graduates of this course gone on to do?
  • What are job prospects like in the industry?
  • What are the entry requirements for this course?
  • What are the study fee options?
  • What student support is available?
  • What disability support is available?

When are university open days?

Most uni open days take place on different weekends throughout July, August and September. This gives Year 12 students who plan to study to a traditional calendar time to enter their preferences before 2025 intake deadlines.

Here are the 2024 open day dates to jot down if you’re thinking about studying with any of our partner universities: 

 University   Open day dates 
Australian Catholic University On-campus open days
Blacktown: Saturday 27 July 2024, 10am–2pm
Brisbane: Saturday 3 August 2024, 9am–2pm
Melbourne: Sunday 11 August 2024, 10am–3pm
Strathfield: Saturday 17 August 2024, 10am–2pm
Ballarat: Sunday 25 August 2024, 9.30am–2pm
North Sydney: Saturday 7 September 2024, 10am–2pm
Canberra: Saturday 14 September 2024, 11am–2pm

Virtual events:
Explore webinars, online alumni Q&As and more

Visit the ACU open day website to find out more.
Australian National University On-campus open day: 
Saturday 29 March 2025

Visit the ANU open day website to find out more.
Bond University

On-campus open day: 
Saturday 27 July 2024, 10am–2pm

Virtual events:

View on demand


Visit the Bond University open day website to find out more.
Charles Sturt University On-campus open days: 
Wagga Wagga: Sunday 28 July 2024, 10am–2.30pm
Port Macquarie: Sun 4 August 2024, 10am–2.30pm
Albury-Wodonga: Sun 11 August 2024, 10am–1.30pm
Bathurst: Sun 18 August 2024, 10am–2.30pm
Orange: Sun 25 August 2024, 10am–1pm

Visit the CSU open day website to find out more
Curtin University Curtin University’s open days were held in March. Keep an eye on the Curtin University website for future events or browse on-demand open day content
Edith Cowan University Edith Cowan's open days were held in April. Keep an eye on the ECU website for future events. 
Flinders University On-campus open days: 
Bedford Park: 9 & 10 August 2024, 9.30am–3.30pm
Adelaide City Campus: 11 August 2024, 10am–3pm
Riverland: 14 August 2024, 6pm–8pm
Tonsley: 17 August 2024, 10am–1pm

Visit the Flinders University open day website to find out more.
Griffith University On-campus open days: 
Gold Coast and Nathan: Sunday 11 August 2024, 9am–2pm

Visit the Griffith University open day website to find out more. 
James Cook University On-campus open days:
Townsville: Saturday 13 July 2024, 10am–2pm
Cairns: Saturday 27 July 2024, 10am–2pm

Virtual open day: 
Tuesday 6 August 2024, 3pm–7pm

Visit the JCU open day website to find out more. 
La Trobe University

On-campus open days:
Melbourne: Sunday 4 August, 10am–4pm
Albury-Wodonga: Sunday 11 August, 9.30am–1pm
Mildura: Wednesday 14 August, 4pm–7pm
Sydney: Thursday 22 August, 10.30am–1pm
Shepparton: Saturday 24 August, 10am–2pm
Bendigo: Sunday 25 August, 9am–2pm

Visit the La Trobe open day website to find out more. 

Macquarie University On-campus open day: 
North Ryde: Saturday 10 August 2024 

Visit the Macquarie open day website to find out more.
Murdoch University Murdoch University's open day was held in March. However, you can attend an online Q&A session on Thursday 1 August from 5.30pm, open nights, and a Year 12 online information session on Tuesday 15 October. 

Visit the Murdoch University website to find out more.
RMIT University On-campus open days: 
Bundoora: Sunday 4 August 2024, 10am–4pm
Brunswick: Sunday 11 August 2024, 10am–3pm
Melbourne City: Sunday 11 August 2024, 10am–4pm

Visit the RMIT open day website to find out more. 
Southern Cross University On-campus open days:
Northern Rivers: Saturday 4 August 2024, 9am–2pm
Coffs Harbour: Sunday 11 August 2024, 9am–2pm
Gold Coast: Sunday 18 August 2024, 9am–2pm

Visit the SCU open day website to find out more. 
Swinburne University  On-campus open day: 
Sunday 28 July, 10am–4pm

Visit the Swinburne open day website to find out more. 
The University of Adelaide On-campus open day: 
Sunday 11 August 2024

Visit the University of Adelaide open day website to find out more.
The University of Notre Dame Australia On-campus open day: 
Sydney: Saturday 31 August 2024

Visit the Notre Dame open day website to find out more. 
The University of Newcastle On-campus open days: 
Central Coast: Saturday 17 August 2024
Newcastle: Saturday 31 August 2024

Virtual events: 
Explore on-demand webinars 

Visit the University of Newcastle open day website to find out more. 
Torrens University On-campus open days: 
Surry Hills: Thursday 8 August 2024, 3.30pm–6.30pm
Ultimo: Saturday 10 August 2024, 10.30am–1pm

Virtual open day: 
Available on-demand

Visit the Torrens University Australia open day website to find out more.
University of New England UNE’s open day was held in May. Keep an eye on the UNE website for future events. 
University of Queensland On-campus open day: 
St Lucia: Sunday 4 August 2024, 9am–3pm
Gatton: Sunday 18 August 2024, 9am–3pm

Visit the UQ open day website to find out more.
University of South Australia On-campus open days:
Mount Gambier: Sunday 4 August 2024, 10am-3pm
City West and City East: Sunday 11 August 2024, 9.30am
Mawson Lakes: Sunday 25 August 2024, 11am–3pm
Whyalla: Sunday 25 August 2024, 10am–3pm
Magill: Wednesday 28 August 2024, 3.30pm–7pm

Visit the UniSA open day website to find out more.
University of Southern Queensland On-campus open days:
Ipswich and Springfield: Sunday 11 August, 10am–2pm
Toowoomba: Sunday 18 August, 10am–2pm

Visit the USQ open day website to find out more.
University of Tasmania On-campus open days:
Sydney: 3 August 2024, 10am-3pm
Hobart: 15 September 2024, 10am-2pm 
Launceston: 22 September 2024, 10am-2pm

Visit the UTAS open day website to find out more. 
University of the Sunshine Coast Moreton Bay: Sunday 21 July 2024, 9am-2pm
Sunshine Coast: Sunday 4 August 2024, 9am-2pm

Visit the USC open day website to find out more 

Want to find out about a course or study area sooner? You can also book a free one-on-one phone call with an Open Universities Australia student advisor at any time. They can answer your questions about your online study choices with the above universities.  

With all this information at your fingertips, it’s easier than ever to find your ideal study path.

Book a call with an Open Universities student advisor now. Or find out about non-ATAR pathways into university

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