The University of Melbourne’s Werribee Campus, located about 32 kilometers southwest of Melbourne on Boon Wurrung land, is a cutting-edge centre dedicated to veterinary education, research, and specialist animal care. It plays a vital role in training the next generation of veterinarians and bioscientists while serving the wider community with advanced clinical services.
State-of-the-Art Facilities and Services
At the heart of the Werribee Campus is the Werribee Equine Centre, renowned for its exceptional care of horses. It offers comprehensive services including lameness diagnosis, advanced imaging (X-rays, ultrasound, standing CT, scintigraphy, and high-field MRI), and year-round emergency orthopaedic care for racehorses. The centre receives referrals from across Victoria and interstate, showcasing its expertise and reputation.
Adjacent to this is the Greencross Veterinary Hospital, a purpose-built 3,000 sqm facility featuring 14 consultation rooms, three modern surgical theatres, and a dedicated Emergency & Critical Care ward. Serving over 23,000 animals annually, the hospital caters to dogs, cats, and exotic pets, providing general practice, specialist care, and emergency services with a highly skilled team passionate about animal welfare.
Campus Redevelopment and Expansion
The Werribee Campus is currently undergoing a significant redevelopment under the Western Edge Biosciences (WEBS) program, designed to enhance teaching, research, and clinical training facilities. This includes a new five-storey Learning and Teaching Building spanning over 8,500 sqm, equipped with flexible, state-of-the-art spaces that meet international accreditation standards for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.
The redevelopment also extends the existing veterinary hospital with additional consultation rooms, separate waiting areas for different species, and a new emergency area. These improvements aim to support continuous 24-hour operation and provide the best hands-on clinical experience for students.
New landscaped gardens, improved pedestrian access, and upgraded parking facilities complement the campus’s modern infrastructure, creating an inviting environment for students, staff, and visitors alike.
Collaborative Biosciences Precinct
Werribee Campus is a focal point for interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, and the Faculty of Science. This synergy fosters innovative research addressing global challenges such as health, food security, and environmental sustainability.
The campus’s world-class ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ practical classrooms support a cross-disciplinary approach to biosciences education, enriching student learning and research outcomes.
Community Engagement and Location
Situated at 250 Princes Highway, Werribee VIC 3030, the campus serves not only students and researchers but also the local community through its clinical services and outreach programs. Despite the ongoing construction, the campus maintains full operation, ensuring uninterrupted high-quality veterinary care and educational activities.
Why Choose UniMelb Werribee Campus?
- Access to internationally accredited veterinary education with cutting-edge facilities
- Hands-on clinical experience at a leading veterinary hospital and equine centre
- Opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary biosciences research
- A supportive environment designed with student wellbeing and learning in mind
- Proximity to Melbourne with a peaceful, purpose-built campus setting
The University of Melbourne’s Werribee Campus stands as a beacon of excellence in veterinary science and biosciences education. Its blend of advanced facilities, expert clinical services, and collaborative research initiatives offers students an unparalleled learning experience. As the campus continues to evolve, it reinforces UniMelb’s commitment to training skilled professionals ready to make a global impact in animal health and biological sciences.