Murdoch opened its second campus in 1998 in Rockingham. The innovative hub was created to improve education, employment and research opportunities in the Rockingham, Kwinana and Peel districts. 

In line with Murdoch’s focus on equity and inclusion, the campus opened offering a range of entry pathways and enabling programs for those seeking a university education, but not qualifying for direct entry.  

While completing the programs students were supported to build study skills, academic ability and confidence. 

The Rockingham campus features computer labs, meeting rooms, a cafe, gym and after-hours facilities to support students’ studies. The Rockingham Central Library located on campus, services both the University and local community. 

Image: Rockingham camps

The Rockingham campus still offers enablement programs today with On-Track Flex for those who don’t have an ATAR or who haven’t undertaken recent study. This free 14-week program helps participants to develop the skills needed for university entry. 

TLC Learning for Tomorrow is also offered at Rockingham, for students in year 12 but not pursuing an ATAR pathway.  

Image: Students learning at Rockingham campus.

In 2005 Murdoch opened a third Western Australian campus, extending its health offerings with new nursing courses at a brand-new campus known as Murdoch’s Peel campus.  

It was part of a vision to offer an integrated education precinct in one of Australia’s fastest growing regions.  

On 30 June 2005 the new Peel campus was officially opened by the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP, Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training. More than 150 staff, students and community members were in attendance. The campus was part of a collaborative education and shared learning precinct, alongside Mandurah Senior College and Challenger TAFE. 

Facilities at the campus included a simulation room, that could be modified as patient rooms or operating theatres, a simulation ward including bathrooms, a nursing station, drug treatment and utility areas, and control rooms allowing tutors to program simulations and observe students. 

The Murdoch University Chiropractic Clinic was opened in August 2005 offering services to the public and featuring private treatment rooms, a rehabilitation gym, a physiological therapeutics facility and digital radiographic suite.  

In September 2007, Stage Two of Peel Campus was officially opened by the Hon Julie Bishop MP, Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training. The additional space was needed at the Peel campus due to a significant growth in nursing enrolments. The new state of the art building on campus quadrupled student capacity and featured a 250 seat lecture theatre, science laboratories and clinical demonstration wards.  

Upon finishing their studies in 2007, all of Murdoch’s first cohort of nursing graduates were snapped up into employment.

Image: Murdoch University Peel campus Stage 2 official launch in 2007.

In December 2015, following representations by members of the University community, the City of Mandurah agreed to change the name of the Peel campus to the Mandurah campus. Both other tenants on campus - John Tonkin College and Challenger Institute were supportive of the change in name.  

A new addition to the campus, the CSIRO-Murdoch-Industry Bioplastics Innovation Hub is now located on Murdoch’s Mandurah campus. This hub will will play a key role in the national science agency’s mission to reduce Australia’s plastic waste by 80% over the course of this decade. Murdoch researchers are working there to develop a new generation of 100% compostable bioplastic products like bottles, caps and wrappers to replace the first-generation bioplastics, which require UV light to break down.