Through the ongoing support of the Federal Government's Higher Education Participation and Partnership Program (HEPPP), CQU is committed to increasing the participation of students from low socioeconomic, regional and remote and Indigenous students in higher education. CQU has widening participation programs for both school students and adult learners. CQUni Connect is the school outreach program.

CQU partners with numerous primary and high schools to deliver programs that raise aspirations towards higher education and empower students to apply and successfully transition from high school to university or TAFE with a sense of belonging and confidence. The programs are supported by peer role models (current students), practitioners (CQU Connect staff), teaching and academic staff, and researchers.