Murrup Barak means ‘the spirit of Barak’ in Woiwurrung language. We chose this name to honour the memory of William Barak – a visionary Wurundjeri leader.

Murrup Barak has a diverse team with dedicated staff members who help to contribute to our objectives while supporting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student cohort. Director, Inala Cooper (Yawuru) leads Murrup Barak while we work closely with Student and Scholarly Services to provide student administration and support. Murrup Barak also delivers wellbeing and scholarly support services, such as the Indigenous Tutorial Access Scheme to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at any stage in their degree.

Learn more about us

There are tailored study options and pathways at the University of Melbourne for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Murrup Barak can provide support or connect you to our network if you are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person who is interested in studying at the University of Melbourne. The University offers undergraduate courses across nine key disciplines, graduate courses across eleven study areas and access to a wide range of research themes through graduate research.

Explore courses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Whether this is your first degree or you are returning to study, Murrup Barak can help support you explore your interests.

Want to know more?

If you're an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person wanting to study at the University of Melbourne, please get in touch with us.

Reach out to our team

Our dedicated Outreach team at Murrup Barak can offer you guidance and support if you are considering studying at the University of Melbourne.

We can provide you with further information and advice about applying or provide you with the resources you may need to make a decision about tertiary study.  If you are interested in studying at the University, we invite you to contact our Outreach team and they will be in touch.

Engagement opportunities

Murrup Barak and the University provide opportunities for those who may be considering studying with us to get involved with our community.

Camps

Students in Years 9,10, 11 and 12 can take part in camps where you learn more about the University. Camps are a great way to experience University and explore your interests. We highly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to apply for these camps:

Murrup Barak Camp

We are also excited to be offering an opportunity exclusively run by Murrup Barak for Year 11 and 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high-school students who are on an ATAR or IB pathway. The camp will run Tuesday 27 June to Thursday 29 June 2023. All expenses are covered for this program.

Information sessions

Our Outreach team can present to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students about the University at schools and other educational settings. School presentations suit students in Years 11 and 12 who are on an ATAR/IB pathway. We welcome all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to come along and start to think about their future pathway.

Our self-guided digital resources can also help you learn more about studying at the University.Contact our Outreach team to book a presentation or for more information.

Campus tours

Our staff and student leaders can show you and your family around our campus and facilities. Contact our Outreach team to book a visit to Murrup Barak and have a tour of the University of Melbourne. Contact accommodation providers directly if you’d like to tour their locations.

Meet us in person

Our Outreach team travel around the country to connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who may be interested in studying at the University.

Contact us to see if we're heading along to an event near you

The University of Melbourne offers more than a place to live with on-campus accommodation, you can experience all university life has to offer including social events and academic support.

Murrup Barak can support you to apply for on-campus accommodation which includes residential colleges and student accommodation affiliated with the University.

As an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person studying at the University, you may be eligible for a secured spot in accommodation and financial help. We recommend to let us know if you are planning to live on-campus when you apply to the University.

Our Outreach team can also provide you with information about on-campus living if you are interested.

Residential colleges

There are ten residential colleges at the University of Melbourne.

The colleges vary in size with most offering a single furnished room including shared bathroom and laundry facilities, common areas, and study spaces.

All colleges at the University of Melbourne provide three meals a day.

Each college has its own culture and benefits. Take some time to explore each college to work out which is best for you.

Want to live at a residential college?

To apply to live at a residential college, complete the form on the online application portal.

Only complete one application, listing all colleges by order of preference.

International HouseJanet Clarke Hall
Medley HallNewman College
Ormond CollegeQueen's College
St Hilda's CollegeSt Mary's College
Trinity CollegeUniversity College

University accommodation

There are five university accommodation options.

University accommodation offers more independent living with fully self-contained studio apartments or shared apartments with communal amenities.

Like residential colleges, there are social activities and wellbeing support from specialised staff.

Unlike residential colleges, university accommodation does not provide food.

Want to live at university accommodation?

To apply to live in university accommodation, complete form on the the online application portal.

Complete one application and list the options by preference.

Little HallLisa Bellear House
University ApartmentsUniLodge Lincoln House
The Lofts at Melbourne Connect (graduate only)

There are a range of financial support services at the University of Melbourne including scholarships that are specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Murrup Barak provides access to bursaries and grants each semester, while the University also delivers its own financial aid including loan programs. You can learn about more general financial aid services provided by the University on the financial support and scholarships page.

Our team are here to support you so that you can focus on studying and achieving your best at university. If you are a current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student enrolled at the University, you can contact the Student Success team if you are in financial stress or need additional support.

ABSTUDY

In addition to scholarships and grants, we recommend applying for ABSTUDY if you are eligible. ABSTUDY is a government payment that assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with costs associated with studying.

Murrup Barak does not administer ABSTUDY, please visit Services Australia for up-to-date information about eligibility and the application process. Our team can only provide you with general information about this payment, but we do recommend applying as early as you can to ensure you receive payments by the time classes start.

Interested in what courses we have on offer?

Take a look at specific information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples considering study at the University of Melbourne. We offer support to students at any stage in their academic journey from undergraduate to research students.

Find out more

Scholarships

There are many scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students based upon individual circumstances, such as first in family to attend university and academic merit.

Visit the Scholarships website, to view and search all scholarship options.

Scholarship name Applications open Applications close Study areas Number awarded
Melbourne Access Scholarship Automatic consideration All study areas ~ 325
Residential College Access Scholarship Package 10 Aug 2022 7 Oct 2022 All study areas ~ 60
Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships Automatic consideration All study areas ~ 50
Indigenous Student Success Grant (Undergraduate) 1 Jan 2023 31 Oct 2023 All study areas ~ 50
Indigenous Bursaries 1 Jan 2023 8 Mar 2023 All study areas ~ 25
Indigenous Accommodation Grant 1 Jan 2023 8 Mar 2023 All study areas ~ 20
Fay Marles Scholarship 1 Apr 2022 31 Oct 2022 All study areas ~ 20
Melbourne Indigenous Merit Scholarship Automatic consideration All study areas 10

Contact us to find out more about studying at the University of Melbourne

Your success is fundamental to studying at the University with access to social, academic and cultural events that you can participate in to elevate your university experience.

We aim to create a welcoming and supportive environment at Murrup Barak for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at the University of Melbourne. We host events specifically for mob across the academic year such as study nights, health and fitness classes, weekly lunches and workshops.

Enriching your experience at the University of Melbourne

Murrup Barak supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from the very start of your degree, through to graduation and beyond. We run an orientation program, Dhumbali, for commencing students at the beginning of each semester. Find out how you can participate in Dhumbali and get to know other mob at the University.

Read more about Dhumbali

Access a wide network of research hubs, programs and services similar to Murrup Barak that support your experience at university.
Students have their voices heard and represented across the University with automatic access to all Student Union services.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have the opportunity to interact with our community and across the world.

Indigenous Tutorial Access Scheme (ITAS)

ITAS provides tutoring sessions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students. The scheme is funded by the Commonwealth Government and we deliver the program. We strongly encourage all students to access the benefits of ITAS.

Learn more about ITAS

Studying on campus

Murrup Barak provides study rooms that you can use 24/7. We also have rooms that are able to be booked for ITAS tutoring. As an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student, you also have access to a private computer room with complimentary printing, which can also be used for study.

The University is also well-equipped with on-campus study spaces that you can use as an alternative to the spaces provided in our building.

Graduate support

We support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduate students studying at the University through a variety of networks. This includes direct, personal support for cultural and academic advocacy within a safe environment. Murrup Barak also provides academic and professional opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduate students through various events, lectures, and conferences.

In partnership with the Indigenous Graduate Student Association, we provide a safe space for graduate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to study in, located on Level 3, 100 Leicester Street (Building 278), Carlton. You will have access to the space via scanning your Student ID. The Common Room includes computers with access to complimentary printing, break-out areas for group work, lockers, and kitchen facilities.

If you are a student interested in how Murrup Barak can support your graduate study, please submit an enquiry and a member of our Student Success team will contact you.

Future pathways

We directly support current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with their future career options and further study opportunities, whether at the University or not. We aim to connect students with a specialist in their field that they are interested in and with faculty networks external to Murrup Barak. This also includes facilitating a productive transition for students from study to opportunities beyond graduating, such as internships or graduate roles.

Throughout the year, our events often showcase future study options and career pathways for graduates. We also host student mixers to help create connections between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates. We also collaborate externally with community stakeholders, supporting students to attend events, conferences and other academic and professional networking events.

If you are a student interested in how Murrup Barak can support your transition to further study or the workforce, please submit an enquiry and a member of our Student Success team will contact you.

If you want to learn more about what your university experience may look like, check out our student life page.

We provide a range of services at Murrup Barak to students, staff and the community.

Based on the Parkville campus, Murrup Barak is located in the Old Physics Building (Building 128).

To ensure a safe environment, Murrup Barak is only available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students via swipe access using a Staff/Student ID. If you require access, please get in contact with us.

If you are looking for additional advice and help with studying at the University of Melbourne, you can also contact Stop 1 if you are a current student. If you are looking to study and are not of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, you can submit an enquiry here.

Murrup Barak works to support students with their studies and is guided by the University's policies and strategies. If you are wanting more information about these policies, you can read about this on our strategy page. We kindly ask that you contact the Indigenous Strategy team if you require further information on University policy.

To make sure your enquiry is directed to the correct team at Murrup Barak, please choose an option below that is most relevant to your situation.

  • Future students

    Thinking about studying at the University? Contact our Outreach team who provide one-on-one support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples interested in study at the University.

  • Current students

    Contact our Student Success team if you are currently studying at the University.

  • Teachers, Support Staff and Schools

    Contact our Outreach team if you are a Liaison Officer, Careers Counsellor, Community Worker, or Teacher working with someone interested in tertiary study.

  • Indigenous Tutorial Access Scheme (ITAS)

    Contact our ITAS Coordinator if you are a student or tutor enquiring about the Indigenous Tutorial Access Scheme.

    Additional information and access to the portal is available on our ITAS page.

  • Employers

    If you are an employer looking to promote to students, you can list your opportunity on Careers Online, a self-managed, free service that the University provides for promoting job opportunities to current students, graduates, and alumni.

    Please note that Murrup Barak does not manage this service. If you are interested in learning more about how we promote opportunities to students, please visit our dedicated Careers page.

  • General enquiries

    Please direct all general enquiries via email to our Community Liaison Officer.

Our location

Murrup Barak, Old Physics Building (Building 128), Wurundjeri Country, Parkville, Victoria, 3010.

Wanting to study at the University?

Take a look at courses and degrees available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Learn more

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this website contains the names, images and voices of people who are deceased. We apologise for any distress caused.

Explore how our team supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with academic, social and cultural services.

The purpose of Murrup Barak is to provide a safe, responsive and empowering service to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, interested in higher education and enrolled at The University of Melbourne, which supports them to reach academic, personal and professional goals.

Murrup Barak can support you while studying

Get in touch with our team

Acknowledgment of Country

Murrup Barak acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways where we work and learn, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung, Boonwurrung, Bunurong, Dja Dja Wurrung, and Yorta Yorta Peoples. We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present.

We recognise the diversity of First Nations peoples throughout Australia and the unique relationships they have with Country since time immemorial. We also recognise the important place of Indigenous knowledges within the academy.

Get to know more about Murrup Barak's work and how we support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students