Co-locate with us
Co-locating our partners with globally renowned researchers, world-class facilities and infrastructure encourages opportunities to collaborate across the value chain.
The Research and Innovation Precinct is a nexus of large and small business, world class research institutes and a thriving university culture. All backed by university and state investment into Melbourne’s North to create a thriving University City of the Future.
No matter your size, the precinct is designed to help co-located partners thrive.
Our team are experts at connecting businesses with the right partners to drive impact, helping establish formal collaborations with other co-located organisations and university academics.
We also foster the organic evolution of partnerships by bringing people from co-located organisations together through networking events, speakers, workshops and more.
Co-located spaces are affordable and can be tailored to suit your needs. Co-located partners have the option to:
- Rent existing office or laboratory space (short or long term) – from shared offices to small or large spaces that can house an entire workforce.
- Build new spaces designed with facilities and amenities specific to your business need.
Benefits of partnership
Co-locating in the Precinct gives you easy and facilitated access to a wide range of specialist facilities, laboratories and infrastructure.
We take the time to understand what need and have the know-how and expertise to connect you with the right people to keep your projects moving.
New hubs under construction also offer specialised facilities and infrastructure for Precinct partners. Learn more about the Digital Innovation Hub and Bio Innovation Hub.
Partners have access to our world-leading researchers across the domains of:
Our experts are the ‘go-to’ names in their fields, renowned for their leading research excellence, with a track record of innovation, discovery and translation.
Partners can also connect with the broader La Trobe research ecosystem which has more than 1280 experts across 38 specialist research centres.
We also encourage partners to capitalise on the wealth of student and graduate talent at La Trobe by offering work-integrated placements, internships, industry-sponsored PhD programs and employment opportunities.
- We can act as a landing pad for international firms establishing themselves in Melbourne or those who make regular but infrequent visits to Australia to pursue research and innovation activities.
- Our industry liaison team can provide introductions to academics and researchers across all La Trobe campuses.
- We can facilitate research collaborations, identification of grant and funding schemes and opportunities, and access to La Trobe Accelerator programs.
Our talent pipeline is available to our partners – there are many different mechanisms to access students for your workforce and our Precinct team will work with you to identify the best pathways.
Our graduates have strong employment outcomes with the most recent QILT survey 2021 saw our graduates in the ‘most adaptive grads in Victoria’, with employers ranking our graduates as the best in Victoria for their ability to adapt, apply skills and knowledge and work independently.
For industry partners, the Research and Innovation Precinct team facilitates direct access to top-ranked, undergraduate, Master’s and PhD students.
Many of our students are enrolled in courses that are increasingly co-designed with industry, helping ensure they are equipped to meet the current and future challenges of their professions.
Our university programs include:
Industry PhD
Students enrolled in the La Trobe Industry PhD undertake a research project that addresses real-world challenges identified by and of critical importance to the industry partner. Through the program, industry partners get access to our world-leading research capabilities to help solve their business challenges, boost performance and develop a culture of innovation.
Industry internships
We offer industry internships to Master's by research and PhD students in various disciplines through our alliance with Australian Postgraduate Research Intern (APR.Intern). Internships are about four to five months’ duration and focus on clearly defined research projects within industry organisations.
Work integrated learning and student placements
Work Integrated Learning helps students gain practical industry experience while studying, ensuring they’re work ready. Students in turn can apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-world practice, bringing a fresh perspective to workplaces.
- offices and facilities at competitive rates
- Greenfield development options
- a diverse community hosting more than 33,000 students and over 3000 academic and professional staff from 97 countries
- access to a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem where industry and academia connect physically and digitally to solve real-world challenges
- a place for recreation and socialising in beautiful surrounds with easy connections to Melbourne’s Central Business District and regional Victoria
- a pipeline of new talent with job-ready skills, education and training including multilingual undergraduate, Master’s and PhD students, enabling you to easily upskill your workforce
- access to more than 1280 experts across 38 specialist research centres in the areas of Health & Wellbeing, Digital Transformation, and Agriculture, Food & Environment.
There’s something special about being on a university campus. With more than 35,000 students, and 3000 academic and professional staff from all over the world here to teach, study or learn, there is an openness and vibrancy that sets us apart from corporate precincts.
Our curated approach to co-located partners means you will be located near like-minded companies: start-ups, SMEs and corporates that share values of innovation, research and engaging and building a future workforce in Australia and overseas.
Our campus offers diverse amenities and facilities in a single location. These include a medical centre, sports park, childcare, cafes and restaurants, licensed bars, venue hire, bank, post office, library, telecommunications providers, supermarket, retail and convenience stores, gym, sporting ovals, an indoor swimming pool and basketball courts.
Melbourne’s north provides employees with attractive lifestyle choices in distinct and diverse multicultural neighbourhoods within easy reach of the campus and Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD).
Co-location FAQs
The Precinct is integrated across the 235 hectare Bundoora campus, surrounded by native flora, abundant bird life and a wildlife sanctuary, yet is situated only 30 min from the airport and Central Business District. The Precinct offers office suites, laboratory space and the option for new greenfield developments.
Co-located within the Research and Innovation Precinct or having a close working partnership with the Precinct, our Precinct Partners have access to globally renowned researchers, world-class facilities and infrastructure, a future workforce, networking events, and the facilities of a vibrant university campus.
We provide competitively priced options for short-term and long-term leases. We cater for start-ups or corporates who need a ready-to-go laboratory space or office with meeting rooms and collaborative spaces or for larger companies wanting to build premises and facilities. We also work with organisations that want to partner with University researchers and access our specialised facilities.
Investment in research is not a prerequisite for co-location on campus, however alignment with the University’s values and strategic direction is critical. We seek long-term, sustainable partnerships that deliver mutual benefit and encourage our Precinct Partners to collaborate with our researchers to innovate, commercialise ideas and start businesses. We also encourage partners to capitalise on the wealth of student and graduate talent at La Trobe by offering work-integrated placements, internships, industry-sponsored PhD programs and employment opportunities.
Yes, our team will work with you to identify a suitable talent pipeline for your requirements. There are many mechanisms in place to find suitable students and graduates for your workforce through full-time and part-time employment, Work Integrated Learning Placements (WIL), student projects, engagement with teaching and learning, and industry-sponsored PhD programs. Contact our team to discuss your requirements.
Our co-located partners range from small start-ups with 1-2 people to large multinationals seeking the benefits of co-locating within a university.
The Precinct offers a rich network of anchors, SMEs and start-ups, which span entire industry value chains. Partners collaborate with each other and with researchers through research contracts and joint grants, through engagement with students, and through networking opportunities facilitated by our events, shared spaces and innovation programs.
Yes, our co-working office enables organisations that are not based in Melbourne to have a presence within the Precinct and enjoy access to our research and innovation facilities. We can also provide a home for international firms establishing themselves in Melbourne or people who make regular but infrequent visits to Australia to pursue research and innovation activities.
Our Strategic Relationship Managers are dedicated to helping you navigate the University network and make the most of its students, researchers and world-class facilities. Our team has deep experience in business creation, start-ups and R&D commercialisation. Contact us to see how we can help you increase your competitive edge.
Like what you’ve read? Let’s work together
Our Precinct team is dedicated to helping our co-located partners navigate the university network and make the most of our students, renowned researchers and world-class facilities.
- Alison Angleton, Director of Strategic Partnerships – Research and Innovation Precinct
- Jeff Jones, Digital Innovation Hub Manager – Research and Innovation Precinct
- Bruce Ross, Senior Business Development Manager – Research and Innovation Precinct