What is the difference between a Semester and a Trimester?

Traditionally semesters described two teaching periods in an academic year. Over the past few decades many universities have expanded this to include a third "semester" over Australia's summer period, either in the form of intensive blocks or a shortened semester. This can often be inequitable and confusing for students, and includes the interruption of the New Year break.

Trimesters are three equal length teaching periods, often shorter than the traditional semesters. In the new Academic Calendar from 2023, UniSQ's trimesters will fit within a calendar year, avoiding the interruption over New Year, and are typically equal lengths of 12 teaching weeks (14 learning weeks) each.