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��ҹ������վ’s Food Centre in Nambeelup has achieved campus status, reflecting rapid growth and interest in the innovative teaching and research programs on offer.

The Food Centre is part of the Food Innovation Precinct of Western Australia (FIPWA). This state-of-the-art facility fosters industry innovation to drive business growth, develop new food products and exports, and transform WA’s food and beverage manufacturing industry.  

 In the heart of the Peel region, 40 minutes’ drive from Murdoch’s South Street campus, the custom-built Food Centre was especially designed for Food Science research and education.  

 “Not only is the site now approved for teaching domestic and international students but enrolments for 2025 have exceeded expectations,” ��ҹ������վ Food Science Lecturer Dr Wendy Hunt said. 

Twenty-two students will study postgraduate Food Science at the new bespoke Nambeelup campus this semester. Subjects on offer include Food Product Design and Development, Food Commodities and Food Chemistry. Human Nutrition has a record 45 students already enrolled from Food Science and Food Security streams with enrolments expected to reach 55 students.

Dr Hunt said the combination of a brand-new campus, robustly designed curriculum and a strong teaching team with an industry-based practical approach to learning was the reason behind the interest in the Food Centre. 

 “The Food Science programs are among the strongest in food safety available. Individual units in Food Microbiology, Food Safety and Risk Assessment allow students to specialise in this crucial area,” she said. 

 “Murdoch Food Science students also get something else others don’t. The Sustainable Innovative Food Technology Facility (SIFT) is located next door within FIPWA. This state-of-the-art food factory allows startup and smaller food producers to turn their product concepts into commercial food products actually sitting on shop shelves in WA. Students are literally working right alongside, and with, industry to help build food innovation in WA.” 

The SIFT Centre is the result of a WA Government (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development) partnership with the Future Food Systems CRC and delivered by ��ҹ������վ.

 FIPWA General Manager, Dr Chris Vas, welcomed the announcement.

 “As Western Australia’s centre for agri-food innovation excellence, FIPWA is the state’s premier location for food innovation, research and commercialisation,” Dr Vas said.

 “As a university focussed on translational research, Murdoch’s teaching programs will enable deeper levels of business engagement that will round out skill and talent development in the Peel Region.

“The co-location of Murdoch’s campus with SIFT should further attract food businesses and an increased number of students to work on collaborative research and product development opportunities.”

 The announcement has also been welcomed by local government leaders.

 Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke said it was great news for Nambeelup and the Murray-Wellington region.

 “The WA Labor Government’s multi-million investment in FIPWA has helped put our food and beverage manufacturing industry on the map, and it’s pleasing to see the precinct and ��ҹ������վ’s Food Centre thrive,” she said. 

Mandurah Mayor Caroline Knight said the new campus not only reinforced Peel’s reputation as a hub for innovation and education but also brought significant opportunities for people living in Mandurah.

“By providing access to world-class food science programs close to home, this initiative opens doors for local students and professionals to pursue their education and career goals without needing to leave the region,” she said.

 University campus status is conferred by the national regulator – the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency.

Food Science courses on offer:

• Graduate Certificate in Food Science  

• Graduate Diploma in Food Science  

• Master of Food Science (Industry Practice and Innovation)  

• Master of Food Science (Industry Practice)