In 1908, the Honourable George and Ethel Swinburne founded Swinburne (then known as the Eastern Suburbs Technical College) with a simple premise in mind: to provide technical education to a sector of society otherwise denied further education. The first students enrolled in classes including woodwork, science and mathematics. In 1963, Swinburne led the way with one of the first industry-based learning programs and from the 1970s offered degrees in engineering, accounting, chemistry and arts. On 1 July 1992, by an Act of the Victorian Parliament, Swinburne gained university status. 

Throughout our history, we have demonstrated our ability to be innovative and responsive to change. We continue to focus on emerging technologies, industry engagement and flexible learning options. We ensure we adapt and evolve with the times and deliver relevant education for our students — today and tomorrow.

Our evolution

The curriculum expanded after the Second World War to include mechanical and electrical engineering, later adding chemistry, film and television, and computer programming also. The first international transition course began in 1960 to cater for the arrival of increasing numbers of overseas students. Our highly regarded Industry-Based Learning program started in 1963, combining academic study and industrial experience. In response to Federal Government reforms in the 1980s, Swinburne became an inter-sectoral university of technology, providing TAFE education and higher learning. We gained university status on 1 July 1992 and began operating from Wantirna campus and Croydon campus in 1998.

Since 2000, Swinburne has undergone a process of rapid change and development. Continuing to focus on innovation, industry engagement and high-quality, personalised teaching has secured us a position in the top 400 universities in the world. 

Designing the future

Our commitment to increasing access to tertiary education builds on George and Ethel Swinburne’s original vision of equal opportunity education. We established Swinburne Online to help us engage with a more diverse range of students. In 2000, the introduction of our Malaysia campus has enhanced our student base across South East Asia. 

The completion of the Hawthorn campus’ state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing and Design Centre in 2014 also means new opportunities. It fosters collaboration between design and Swinburne's existing strengths in engineering, ICT, business and the social sciences.

Our Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors

A university with a strong vision for the future needs true visionaries at its helm. Here are the key people who have helped shape and propel Swinburne to be the world-class university it is today.

Vice-Chancellors

• Iain Wallace | Principle Director: 1986–1992 / Vice-Chancellor: 1992 - 2003
• Ian Young | Vice-Chancellor: 2003 - 2011
• Linda Kristjanson | Vice-Chancellor: 2011 - 2020
• Pascale Quester | Vice-Chancellor: 2020 - present
   

Chancellors

• Richard Pratt | Chancellor: 1993 - 2002
• Douglas Mitchell | Chancellor: 2002 - 2005
• Bill Scales | Chancellor: 2005 - 2014
• Graham Goldsmith | Chancellor: 2014 - 2019
• John Pollaers | Chancellor: 2019 - present

Swinburne coat of arms

A link between Swinburne's founders and their family endures through the modified version of his family's coat of arms. The coat of arms offers an intriguing insight into the foundation, values and motto of the university:

• The arms — the colours of red and white and the cinquefoils on the shield commemorate the arms of the Swinburne family, and the four mullets in the cross symbolise the Southern Cross.
• The crest — the demi-boar and the cinquefoil perpetuate the Swinburne connection, as the book is symbolic of learning.
• The motto — the College of Arms’ translation of the motto is 'achievement through learning'.