Our campuses

Year One trainee officers at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) during a 'Functional Circuits' training session at ADFA. Approximately 300 trainee officers are currently undertaking Year One Familiarisation Training (YOFT) at the Academy.

Tree of Knowledge captured in the golden hour morning light.

Discover what it's like to study at UNSW Canberra. From the heart of Canberra to our UNSW Canberra-ADFA campus, you'll find a unique environment where academia and defence combine.

UNSW Canberra at ADFA campus

The UNSW Canberra at ADFA campus is located at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in the suburb of Campbell. It’s adjacent to other Australian Defence Force sites including the Campbell Park Defence base and Royal Military College at Duntroon. The location is unique; set in native bushland less than five kilometres from the city centre and Canberra International Airport.

UNSW Canberra City campus

This new city campus will allow us to expand our offerings in Canberra by delivering world-class education within the Parliamentary Triangle. The city campus will enable UNSW’s strategic priorities of academic excellence, social engagement and global impact to thrive. The campus environment will provide a sense of place and pride in UNSW. Students, staff, alumni, members of the local community, and partners from the defence and security community located adjacent to the campus, will come together to innovate, transform, learn and contribute to society.

UNSW Canberra Launch 

Innovation is one of the most significant sources of sustainable competitive advantage. UNSW Canberra identified the opportunity for a dedicated innovation space that allows academics, businesses, government and the ACT community to come together to develop defence and security capability, talent and technology.

Our campus facilities

UNSW Canberra offers a wide range of facilities and services. These are available to students and visitors at our ADFA and Canberra City campuses. Whether you need to do some ‘life administration’ or grab a meal, you’ll find most facilities conveniently located right in the heart of our campuses.

  • Branches of both the Defence Bank and Australian Military Bank are available. They offer a wide range of banking services and 24-hour multi-card ATM services.

  • Dry cleaning is available at the AAFCANS cafe.

  • Salon ADFA is open from 9am to 4pm on weekdays. It’s also open on Thursday nights by appointment.

    Contact: (02) 6268 8824.

    Find Salon ADFA on Facebook.

  • The Academy Library provides high-quality library and research services as well as spaces for study and reading.

    Find out about opening hours on our website to access physical resources and in-house services. The library is also available through a 24/7 Library Access service online.

  • A dedicated communal area for all non-Defence students is located on the ground floor of Building 21.

  • A prayer room is available at Room 101, on the Lower Floor of Building 21.

  • A space for parents and carers with children is available on level two of the Academy Library. It’s available for all staff, students and visitors with children. A comfortable chair and breastfeeding facilities (such as a refrigerator) are provided, as well as children’s toys and books. Baby change facilities are available inside the accessible toilet nearby.

    These facilities are available during the Academy Library's opening hours.

  • UNSW Canberra at ADFA provides:

    • free onsite parking
    • a taxi rank
    • bus stops.

    Onsite parking is free for all staff and visitors. We offer a number of carparks across campus. Accessible car spaces are also available.

    Use the UNSW Canberra map to find parking areas, bus stops and taxi ranks.

    The nearest tram stop is Alinga Street in the city centre, where you can also catch a bus.

  • All UNSW Canberra staff and full-time postgraduate students have free access to the Indoor Sports Centre.

    The Centre offers modern weights and cardio equipment, a heated 25-metre indoor swimming pool, and indoor squash, basketball and tennis courts. We also provide showers and change rooms.

    To use the facilities, apply for an induction and an annual pass at the reception desk.

    Contact reception: (02) 6268 8689.

    We also offer a range of outdoor space for sport and recreation including cricket, football and netball.

    You can play golf at the RMC Golf Course, plus there’s a boatshed on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin and an outdoor pool at Duntroon/RMC.

    The nearby Duntroon Community Centre is a facility for Defence and non-Defence families. It offers playschool and parent groups, as well as social and craft activities. Find out more about Duntroon Community Centre

  • The Army & Air Force Canteen Service (AAFCANS) is open from 7am to 3pm on weekdays. It’s located at Building 33, Long Tan Road, Campbell.

    The café is great for a quick morning coffee, to network or join your colleagues for a snack before or between classes. The lunch menu includes hot meals, tasty sandwiches, fresh gourmet rolls, hot and cold snacks, and drinks.

    As well as the AAFCANS, there’s a smaller AAFCANS Lecture Theatre North (LTN) café serving coffee, snacks, sandwiches and cold drinks. Hours for the LTN café are usually 8.30am to 2pm on weekdays but may vary.

    AAFCANS also offers a function room for hire, with on-campus catering. This is located upstairs from the main café.

    A third AAFCANS in the Royal Military College, Building B72, Retail Section Off Fraser Rd, Duntroon Campbell.

    Contact: (02) 6268 8634.

    Check trading hours online or download the app.

  • Adams Auditorium has a 1200-seat theatre, which can be configured to 400- and 800-seat theatres.

    The three seminar rooms (Army, Air Force and Navy room) each have the capacity for 24 people. The Army and Air Force rooms have a partition wall that can be removed to combine the rooms to fit 48 with table and chairs.

    To enquire about booking the auditorium, please email auditorium@adfa.edu.au