Our History

1908

George Swinburne Establishes Technical College

Former Mayor of Hawthorn and Parliament member George Swinburne establishes the Eastern Technical College, to serve those in Melbourne without access to further education.

1909

First Classes Commence

First classes begin in carpentry, plumbing and blacksmithing.

1913

Swinburne Technical College

Renamed Swinburne Technical College to commemorate founder George Swinburne, and his principles of students-focused learning, equal opportunity and industry engagement.

1960

International Classes

Swinburne enters the international education market with the first courses catering to overseas students.

1963

Industry Based Learning

The Industry-Based Learning program commences. The program, which still runs today, is one of the first of it's kind in Australia and is aimed at helping students transition into the workplace.

1981

First Bachelor Degree Granted

In the wake of new Victorian tertiary laws, Swinburne Council is given the power to grant Bachelor degrees. The first is awarded at a conferring ceremony in May.

1992

Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne gains university status and is proclaimed Swinburne University of Technology in July, marking a new period of growth and innovation.

2000

International Campus

The first international campus opens in Sarawak, Malaysia.

2011

Swinburne Online

Swinburne Online is launched - a partnership between Swinburne University of Technology and SEEK.

2012

Top 3% World University

Named as one of the world's top 400 Universities by the Academic Ranking of World Universities.