The Victorian government is backing one of the state’s leading pathology providers to open a state-of-the-art laboratory and headquarters in Docklands, creating hundreds of jobs and boosting Victoria’s medical technology sector.
Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks today visited the former Costco site in Docklands, where Melbourne Pathology will establish a new Centre of Excellence that will more than double the company’s operational footprint.
The project is expected to create over 200 jobs during construction and a further 250 ongoing roles once completed, including highly skilled scientists, pathologists, biomedical engineers and geneticists.
The new headquarters will feature more than 10,000 square metres of laboratory space capable of processing 200,000 tests per day, significantly expanding Victoria’s pathology and diagnostic capacity.
Expanded services will include advanced genomic testing and a dedicated drone landing area to transport time-sensitive samples between hospitals and collection centres across regional Victoria.
The centre’s 700-plus staff are also expected to help revitalise the northern end of the Docklands precinct, injecting more than $6 million into the local economy each year.
Melbourne Pathology, Australia’s oldest private pathology provider, has been operating for more than a century and currently runs 350 collection centres across Victoria.
The company provides critical testing and diagnostic services that support the state’s healthcare system every day.
Minister Brooks said the Docklands facility would strengthen Victoria’s position as a leader in health technology and medical research.
“This new Centre of Excellence represents a transformational investment in the state’s healthtech future and is a major vote of confidence in Victoria,” Brooks said.
“By expanding our diagnostic and genomic testing capabilities, this cutting-edge facility will create hundreds of jobs and cement Docklands as a hub for health innovation.”
The government’s investment in health and medical research is continuing to drive economic growth and deliver world-class care for Victorians.
Health technologies and medical research are identified as key priority sectors for future growth and investment in the Government’s Economic Growth Statement — part of a broader strategy to position Victoria as a leader in advanced manufacturing and innovation.
Melbourne Pathology CEO David Pinkus said the company was proud to embark on this major expansion, which will enhance its capacity to deliver fast and reliable medical testing across the state.
“Melbourne Pathology has a long and proud history, serving the Victorian community for more than 100 years and we are delighted to commit to a project of this magnitude,” Pinkus said.
“The new facility will become the Centre of Excellence for pathology in Victoria, and we are pleased to have the support of the Victorian government.
“The new laboratory will allow us to significantly increase our testing capacity and broaden the scope of tests we can provide locally.”
Construction is expected to begin later this year, marking another milestone in Victoria’s growing life sciences and advanced manufacturing sectors.
