The doors have officially opened to Edith Cowan University’s new City campus, marking a historic milestone for Perth as it welcomes its first comprehensive inner-city university and signalling what leaders have described as a new era in education.
Jointly funded by the Albanese Government, the Cook Government and the university, the world-class 11-super-level campus dedicated to creative industries, business and technology is set to reshape the city’s educational, cultural and social landscape.
With thousands of students arriving for the first time this month, the purpose-built facility has been designed to connect learners directly with industry, culture and community in a modern, city-based environment. About 8,500 students and staff are expected to be based at the campus from semester one, bringing a daily surge of activity to the Perth CBD and a boost to surrounding businesses.
Western Australia Premier Roger Cook said investing in higher education was central to his vision of maintaining the state’s strong economy. He noted the State had committed nearly $200 million to the project, describing it as a generational development that would make skilling, upskilling and reskilling more accessible to Western Australians.
Beyond education, the Premier said the campus would help knit together Northbridge and the CBD, anchored by the city’s growing public transport network, fostering a vibrant and creative economy in the heart of Perth. He added that collaboration with the Albanese Government would help ensure Perth remained one of the best places in the world to live, raise a family and secure a quality job.
“My government is proud to have worked alongside the Albanese Government to deliver this project, which will ensure Perth stays the best place in the world to live, raise a family, and get a quality job.”
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare called the building a striking new landmark and an engine of opportunity, saying thousands of students would build their futures there each year.
“Thousands of students will build their futures right here every year.”
Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said that as classes begin, thousands of students will head into the CBD each day, creating new economic, educational and social opportunities. She described the project as a once-in-a-generation transformation of Perth’s heart and said the Commonwealth was proud to back the city’s future.
The campus features state-of-the-art teaching facilities, specialist business, law, creative arts and technology spaces, advanced screen and media production facilities, and extensive student support and wellbeing services. Eight public performance venues are expected to host more than 300 performances annually, while the main foyer boasts one of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest indoor LED displays, delivering immersive digital content year-round. Its distinctive media façade, spanning two sides of the building, will turn the structure itself into a creative canvas for students, staff and the public.
“With classes starting, thousands of students will head to the Perth CBD every day creating new economic, educational, and social opportunities.”
WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti said the campus was already breathing new life into the CBD, creating a thriving inner-city hub and delivering lasting benefits to nearby businesses as thousands travel in daily. She highlighted its accessibility, positioned above the Perth Busport and within walking distance of the METRONET rail network, describing it as a key part of the government’s vision for a modern, connected city.
Planning and Lands Minister John Carey said the influx of staff and students would be a game-changer for the inner city, increasing vibrancy and foot traffic in the CBD and Northbridge, while also fuelling a boom in student accommodation.
“This new campus has also fuelled a boom in student accommodation, ensuring more people live in the city.”
Tertiary and International Education Minister Tony Buti said students would immediately benefit from the outstanding CBD facility, adding that Western Australia would reap broader rewards from an institution focused on nurturing talent and developing skills for the wider community.
Federal Member for Perth Patrick Gorman described the development as not just an asset for Perth but for the entire nation, predicting it would attract students and visitors who value education, culture and community, injecting fresh vibrancy into the city and placing Perth firmly on the map for education and culture.
“This is not just an asset for Perth, it is an education asset for all of Australia.”
The campus also becomes the new home of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, including the Minderoo Centre for Performance Excellence. It brings together the School of Business and Law, creative humanities programmes from the School of Arts and Humanities — including the WA Screen and Media Academy — as well as technology and cyber security programmes from the School of Science and Kurongkurl Katitjin, the University’s Centre for Indigenous Australian Education and Research.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock described the opening as an historic moment not only for the university but for Perth and Western Australia. She said the city had joined the ranks of the world’s great cities with its first comprehensive inner-city university campus, built for creative arts, business, law, performance and technology students to learn, engage and create as they embark on their careers.
“This is a campus that will enrich the student experience and the very city itself. It’s a place of possibility and discovery.”
Calling it a place of possibility and discovery, Professor Pollock said the campus would enrich both the student experience and the city itself, bringing students, industry, culture and community together in the heart of Perth to shape the future side by side.
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