Undergraduate students from Papua region are confronted with challenges that may hinder their academic career. Developing career adaptability has become a crucial factor in addressing such challenges effectively. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine how core self-evaluation (CSE) moderates the relationship between perceived parental support (PPS) and career adaptability. Participants comprised 180 undergraduate students from Papua region, and the instruments used for measurement were Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS), Social Provision, and CSE Scale. Data analysis was statistically conducted using the PROCESS macro by Hayes. The results showed that CSE moderated the influence of PPS on career adaptability among university students from Papua region. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2024.