• Charles Sturt celebrates success of students with graduations ceremonies in Wagga Wagga and Bathurst
• Charles Sturt’s graduates are filling critical skills shortages in regional Australia in health, education and other fields

Years of hard work and dedication by more than 900 Charles Sturt University students will be recognised during graduation ceremonies to be held in September.

The ceremonies will welcome graduates and guests to Wagga Wagga and Bathurst in ceremonies held from 15-24 September.

Charles Sturt Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Brown said graduations are primarily a celebration of students' success but also of the contribution made by the University, especially in regional Australia.

More than 80 per cent of Charles Sturt’s regional graduates go on to live and work in regional Australia, helping to fill critical skills shortages in health, education and other fields.

“Many of the graduates in these ceremonies will become the nurses, teachers, veterinarians, physiotherapists and other skilled professionals that regional Australia's communities need,” Professor Brown said.

“Our graduate employment rates are the highest in Australia. Many of today’s graduates, who finished their courses last year, are already putting their skills and knowledge to use in local hospitals, classrooms and other professional settings.

“I wholeheartedly congratulate each and every one of them on their achievement. We are proud of them and look forward to all they will accomplish in their careers.”

The most popular courses among graduates are Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Education (Birth to Five Years), Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Bachelor of Educational Studies and Bachelor of Education (K-12).

Ms Millie Owen previously attained a Bachelor of Educational Studies from Charles Sturt and graduated from the University for a second time with a Master of Teaching (Secondary) on Wednesday 16 September.   

During her last few years of high school at Mater Dei Catholic College, Ms Owen said she had teachers that showed care, dedication and passion for English and Drama, which inspired her career path.

“I saw the positive impact a teacher could have beyond the classroom and knew I wanted to be that kind of person in a young person’s life, a teacher who supports, encourages and believes in them,” she said.

She returned to Mater Dei Catholic College to work as a teacher’s aide and received a conditional accreditation, which has allowed her to begin teaching her own classes while completing her degree this year.

The hands-on experience she has gained has given her the confidence to start her full-time teaching position in North Queensland in 2027 where she completed her final professional placement.

Charles Sturt has retained its number one ranking in the 2025 Graduate Outcomes Survey for undergraduate employment, with 90.5 per cent of graduates employed full-time within four to six months of finishing their course.