Sustainable Development Goals at our University
In 2019, we signed the University Commitment which recognises the significant scope of work needed to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the important role university communities play in reaching these goals. We are committed to sustainability for ourselves, our surrounding communities, and the world.
The SDGs offer a shared framework for all levels of government, businesses, community groups and education organisations to prioritise action between 2015 to 2030, across environmental, socio-cultural and economic sustainability.
How we measure our impact for the SDGs
We use the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings (previously Impact Rankings) and other frameworks, such as the Sustainability Tracking Assessment and Rating System (STARS), to measure our progress towards sustainability. The THE Impact Ratings aim to evaluate university performance in relation to the SDGs.
SDG4 Quality Education
Quality Education aims to ensure that quality lifelong education promotes sustainable development and lifestyles, including human rights, peace, global citizenship and appreciation of diverse cultures’ contributions to the world. Quality education should be accessible, inclusive and equitable for people of all genders, orientation, abilities, indigeneity, ethnicity, socio-economic means and other.
As a university, we seek to equip our students, teachers and mentors, to contribute to a sustainable future for Tasmania and the world. We strive to ensure that education is valued and accessible to all, to expand literacy, numeracy, knowledge and opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. We provide purpose-built and flexible infrastructure, and engaging on-campus, distance and hybrid learning opportunities for various types of education, training, and preparedness to successfully and meaningfully engage in global society.
Lifelong learning measures
Public resources (lifelong learning)
Free courses
The University’s Wicking Dementia Centre offers various free massive open online courses (MOOCs) that are open to the public, including those not studying at the University. Participants do not need a medical background – just a desire to learn. These free online courses (MOOCs) have helped thousands of carers and healthcare professionals, as well as anyone interested in the offered topics, better understand health issues. Offered MOOCs include Understanding Dementia, Preventing Dementia, Understanding Childhood Dementia, Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury, Parkinson’s Disease, and Motor Neurone Disease. Those who complete all course modules for their chosen MOOC and successfully completed the final quiz, are eligible to receive a Certificate of Completion.
The University also launched the free MOOC The Climate Shift: Exploring Science, Empowering Action in 2025, providing accessible climate education to the broader community. The course covers climate science, human influences on climate change, climate impacts, adaptation, mitigation strategies and practical actions individuals and communities can take to build resilience and reduce emissions. The course is grounded in the latest research conducted at the University and takes a fresh, multidisciplinary look at the causes, impacts and responses to climate change. Designed to be flexible and engaging, the course includes videos, audio, written content and interactive activities. Participants are encouraged to apply what they learn at home and in their communities. Upon completing the course, participants receive a digital badge. The course also offers optional quizzes to test understanding. Scoring 80% or higher on all quizzes make participants eligible for a digital certificate.
Free access to campus facilities and equipment
The University of Tasmania provides permanent free public access to a broad range of campus facilities that support learning, culture, wellbeing, recreation and community connection. Community members and visitors are welcome to access University grounds, libraries, galleries, museums, exhibition spaces, heritage buildings, Aboriginal gardens, community gardens, sporting facilities, and open green spaces across the University's campuses. These facilities are available throughout the year and contribute to the social, cultural and environmental life of the communities in which the University operates.
Publicly accessible facilities include the University's network of libraries, which provide public access to books, publications, information resources and cultural collections. These include the Morris Miller Library, Law Library, Forest Library, Albert G Baikie Clinical Library, Carington Smith Library, Newnham Library, Inveresk Library, Cradle Coast Campus Library, and Sydney Campus Library. The University libraries include a range of spaces that can be used by community members to support learning, collaboration and the pursuit of knowledge, contributing to Tasmania's cultural, social and economic development consistent with the University's mission and goals.
The University also has a range of publicly accessible museums, galleries and exhibition spaces that showcase art, history, design, research and cultural artefacts. While some collections require advance booking to facilitate access, entry remains free. Examples include
- The Plimsoll Gallery (Hobart City campus) showcases touring and curated exhibitions of innovative local, national, and international contemporary art and design as well as student work from the School of Creative Arts and Media.
- The Loop (Hobart City campus) is a large-scale digital screen located in the Midtown precinct of Hobart. Community members, artists, curators, and organisations are encouraged to contribute works which delight, divert, entertain and provoke thought – connecting artists with audiences and the City of Hobart.
- The Lantern Gallery is part of the Inveresk cultural precinct. The Gallery is a student-run exhibition space showcasing art, architecture, design and technology. The gallery contributes to the cultural life of the precinct and provides free opportunities for the public to engage with creative practice.
Members of the public can also visit heritage-listed buildings and culturally significant sites, including spaces linked to Tasmania's history and Aboriginal heritage, through daily access, exhibitions, performances, guided tours and community events.
The University further provides free access to recreational and outdoor facilities, including the University Reserve at Sandy Bay, the Heritage Orchard and community gardens at Newnham and Inveresk, the Riawunna Indigenous Garden, and multi-sport courts and exercise spaces at Inveresk. Public access also extends to recreational infrastructure and equipment associated with these facilities, including fitness, exercise and sporting amenities available through University recreational spaces and community programs.
Together, these facilities provide opportunities for lifelong learning, cultural participation, physical activity, environmental education and connection with nature, ensuring that University infrastructure delivers clear benefits beyond the student and staff community.
Free online resources
The University of Tasmania’s Island of Ideas program provides dedicated educational outreach activities for the wider community through a series of free public lectures and discussions that are open to all, including those not studying at the University. All lectures are recorded and made freely available online through dedicated Soundcloud and YouTube channels. The program is specifically designed to share University expertise beyond the campus and stimulate informed public discussion on issues of social, environmental and economic importance. The wide range of topics are aligned to and guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Island of Ideas events are delivered both in person and online, removing geographic barriers and enabling broad community participation across Tasmania. The series brings together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders and community voices, creating accessible opportunities for lifelong learning and public engagement. By providing free access to leading researchers and experts on issues of public significance, Island of Ideas demonstrates a sustained and structured approach to community education and public engagement.
The University also provides permanent free public access to a range of online information resources, research outputs, digital collections and educational materials. Through the University's Research Repository and Open Access Repository, members of the public can freely access research publications, higher degree research theses, and other scholarly outputs produced by University researchers, supporting the dissemination of knowledge to the community, industry, government and the wider public.
The University also provides online access to digitised archival collections through SPARC, as well as virtual exhibitions showcasing research, cultural collections and unique materials held by the Library's Special and Rare Collections. These resources support lifelong learning, public engagement with research and culture, and the broad dissemination of knowledge beyond the university community.
By providing free online access to research, heritage collections and educational resources, the University extends the benefits of public scholarship to communities in Tasmania, nationally and internationally.
Public events (lifelong learning)
https://www.utas.edu.au/about/events/island-of-ideas
Vocational training events (lifelong learning)
The University of Tasmania offers a wide range of programmed and ad hoc public learning opportunities, including short courses, executive education programs, vocational training, workshops and open online programs that are accessible to the general public. These opportunities support lifelong learning, professional development and workforce capability building, enabling participants to gain knowledge and skills without committing to long-term study.
For example, the University offers various Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), which are free to the general public. This includes the very successful Understanding Dementia MOOC, , which has attracted tens of thousands of participants worldwide, as well as The Climate Shift: Exploring Science, Empowering Action, designed to build climate literacy and empower participants to take action within their communities and workplaces. These self-paced courses provide flexible opportunities for personal and professional development and are open to participants regardless of educational background.
Short courses for executive education and vocational training can also be accessed through the Short Courses Portal, with over 60 courses on offer designed to support executive education, professional development and vocational skills training. Courses are available across a broad range of disciplines, including business and law, creative arts and design, earth, sea, Antarctic and environment, education and humanities, health and medicine, and science, technology and engineering. Examples include: Project Management, Timber Design for Residential Construction, Navigate AI Essentials: Responsible Use in Practice or Living with Fire. Completion of short courses is recognised with a digital Certificate of Completion, and some are eligible to be awarded a micro-credential.
The University also delivers specialised vocational and professional training open to the general public through the Australian Maritime College (AMC) and AMC Search, its commercial training and consultancy division. AMC Search offers one of the largest portfolios of maritime short courses in the Southern Hemisphere, providing industry-accredited training, certification programs, workforce upskilling and continuing professional development opportunities for the shipping, ports, defence, logistics, energy and maritime sectors. Courses support both entry into maritime careers and ongoing professional development, and cover areas such as maritime safety, hydrographic surveying, autonomous maritime systems, marine engineering, vessel operations and regulatory compliance. Training is delivered through scheduled public courses, online learning and customised industry programs.
In addition to its programmed offerings, the University deliver customised business-to-business training and professional development programs tailored to the needs of organisations, industries and workforce groups, demonstrating the University's commitment to responsive, industry-focused workforce development. For example, The University’s Tasmanian Behavioural Lab provides bespoke behavioural insights training programs to provide skills needed to design and implement policy interventions in-house. This training can be delivered in their state-of-the-art Hobart laboratory or at the organisation’s own facilities in Tasmania or interstate.
By making high-quality education accessible beyond traditional degree programs, the University of Tasmania empowers individuals, communities and industries to continue learning throughout their lives. From free public courses and professional development opportunities to specialised vocational and industry training, these programs help build knowledge, strengthen workforce capability and equip people to contribute to a more sustainable, innovative and resilient future.
Education outreach activities beyond campus
The University of Tasmania delivers a broad range of educational outreach activities beyond its campuses, working with schools, families, community organisations and the wider community to improve access to knowledge, inspire participation in education and build skills across Tasmania. Delivered on both a programmed and ad hoc basis, these activities include school engagement programs, educational workshops, public demonstrations, citizen science projects, community learning experiences and student-led outreach initiatives.
A flagship outreach program is Children's University Tasmania, led by the University's Peter Underwood Centre. The program works with primary and secondary school students across Tasmania to foster a love of learning beyond the classroom and raise aspirations for future education. Participants engage in a broad range of learning activities provided by schools, community organisations and cultural institutions, encouraging young people to explore learning opportunities within their own communities. The program culminates in formal graduation ceremonies that celebrate student achievement and lifelong learning.
The University also supports climate and environmental education through Curious Climate Schools and the The Heat is On program. These initiatives connect school students directly with climate scientists and researchers, providing opportunities for students to ask questions, access curriculum-aligned resources and engage with contemporary climate science. Through classroom resources, school engagement activities and direct interactions with experts, students develop a deeper understanding of climate change, sustainability and evidence-based decision-making.
Student-led outreach is a key component of the University's community engagement activities. Through Young Tassie Scientists, University students and early-career researchers visit schools and community events across Tasmania to deliver science demonstrations, presentations and hands-on learning experiences. The program creates opportunities for school students to engage directly with emerging scientists, while also developing participants' science communication and community engagement skills.
The University further extends educational opportunities through the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), whose scientists and students regularly engage with schools and communities through presentations, demonstrations, work experience opportunities and community events. IMAS supports educational outreach through school visits, participation in events such as National Science Week, Festival of Bright Ideas, AgFest, and the Australian Antarctic Festival, as well as citizen science initiatives including Redmap and Reef Life Survey, which enable community members to actively contribute to marine and environmental research.
The University also delivers targeted outreach programs that improve health, wellbeing and social outcomes through engagement with schools and local communities. Initiatives such as HealthLit4Kids, Teddy Bear Hospital and the West Coast Financial Literacy Project provide educational resources, workshops and practical learning experiences that improve health literacy, financial capability and wellbeing for children, young people and families.
In 2025, outreach activities continued through statewide school engagement programs, citizen science initiatives, science festivals, climate education programs, work experience opportunities, and community events that connected thousands of Tasmanians with University knowledge and expertise. These activities demonstrate the University's commitment to extending educational opportunities beyond campus and supporting lifelong learning, educational aspiration and community capability building across Tasmania.
Lifelong learning access policy
The University of Tasmania ensures that lifelong learning opportunities, public educational programs and outreach activities are accessible to all members of the community, regardless of ethnicity, religion, disability, immigration status, gender or other personal characteristics. Equity, accessibility and inclusion are embedded throughout the University's policies, strategies and support services, which actively remove barriers to participation and provide targeted support for underrepresented and diverse groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, international students and learners from diverse backgrounds.
The University's Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Framework promotes an inclusive culture that values diversity and seeks to ensure that all members of the University community are treated with dignity, fairness and respect. This commitment is reinforced through the Behaviour Policy, which requires learning, teaching and research environments to be inclusive of difference, free from harassment and discrimination, and respectful of the rights and dignity of all people.
The University further supports equitable participation through its Support for Students Policy, which provides for a personalised, equitable and supportive learning environment, including culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, dedicated support for international students, and learning plan adjustments for students with disability, health conditions and neurodiversity. The Admission, Enrolments and Credit Policy also promotes fair and transparent access to educational opportunities by recognising diverse educational pathways and prior learning experiences.
Accessibility is further supported through the University's Disability Inclusion Action Plan, which embraces universal design principles and seeks to remove barriers to participation across learning, teaching and campus environments. Students are supported by specialist accessibility advisers who provide guidance and tailored adjustments to ensure equitable participation in educational activities.
The University also recognises the importance of culturally safe and inclusive learning environments for First Nations peoples. The Strategic Plan for Aboriginal Engagement commits the University to fostering a welcoming environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, staff and communities through respect for Indigenous cultures, knowledge and rights.
In addition, the Facilities, Infrastructure and Asset Management Policy states that University facilities are to be open and accessible to students, staff and members of the community. This supports equitable participation in public lectures, outreach programs, lifelong learning activities, libraries, cultural facilities and other community-facing educational opportunities.
Together, these policies and frameworks demonstrate the University's commitment to ensuring that educational outreach activities, lifelong learning opportunities and community engagement programs are accessible to all, regardless of ethnicity, religion, disability, immigration status or gender.