Multi Faith Centre
An update from the Swinburne University Multi Faith Centre Governance Group.
Prioritising the faith needs of Swinburne students and staff
Swinburne University of Technology is a proudly multicultural institution, with people from more than 100 nationalities studying and working together across our campuses every day. Creating an inclusive and welcoming educational environment is at the heart of what we do; and enabling our students and staff to confidently and respectfully express their identities, cultures, religions and traditions forms a major part of that.
Accessing the Multi Faith Centre
All students and staff are invited to share in the use of our Multi Faith Centre, whether they are religious or not, because we believe in fair and equal access to Swinburne spaces for prayer, worship, meditation and spiritual exploration.
Some faiths require religious observance at specific times, when students and staff are on campus. The Multi Faith Centre enables students and staff to observe these requirements, without having to leave Swinburne.
While we recognise that some people in the wider community currently view our Multi Faith Centre as a public place of worship, it is not designed for this use.
What is happening
As part of our ongoing effort to ensure our University spaces are being used as intended, from 30 June, members of the public will be restricted from accessing the Multi Faith Centre. This is in line with the Centre’s existing guidelines, other Swinburne spaces, and is largely consistent with other Victorian education institutions.
This follows respectful dialogue and reflects our primary focus to always ensure our spaces meet the diverse needs of our students and staff.
We’ve approached the matter sensitively and patiently, working to slowly step the community through change and actively discourage public use. After two years, the period for adjustment has now ended.
Multi Faith Centre location
To better support the faith-based needs of our staff and student cohort, the Multi Faith Centre will also be relocating to The Junction, in the new year. The new Centre will include prayer spaces for all faiths and rooms for quiet reflection and to take time out to focus on yourself.
Planning and design work is now in progress and will be shaped through further consultation with Centre users.
Frequently asked questions
About the Multi Faith Centre
Some faiths require religious observance at specific times, when students and staff are on campus. The Multi Faith Centre enables students and staff to observe these requirements, without having to leave Swinburne.
The Swinburne Multi Faith Centre is a private University space for students and staff to use for prayer, worship, meditation and spiritual exploration – it is not a public place of worship.
A range of services are provided within the Centre to meet the diverse needs of the Swinburne University community, including prayer activities and spaces, multi faith chaplaincy support, religious texts, spiritual counselling, spiritual wellbeing activities, and club gatherings.
Chaplains are available to support students and staff looking for spiritual care, community, connection or conversation. Religions include Islamic, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian and Hindu.
The Multi Faith Centre is open from 5am–11pm for students and staff, seven days a week. Swinburne students and staff are required to tap their Swinburne ID card to enter the Centre.
Get in touch
- for email enquiries – multifaith@swinburne.edu.au
- Chaplain meetings can be booked online
Chaplains are available to support students and staff looking for spiritual care, community, connection or conversation.
- Bagoes Seta (Christian, Protestant)
- Sheikh Moustapha Sarakibi (Islamic)
- Rabbi Bochi Broh (Jewish)
- Gemma Chandan (Buddhist, Mindfulness)
- Dr Smriti Murali Krishna (Hindu)
- Nathan Steer (Christian, Protestant)
- Lauren Weatherlake (Christian, Protestant)
- Joshua Teo (Christian, Protestant)
Chaplains of different faiths and backgrounds are based at the Multi Faith Centre and provide guidance to students and staff.
Working closely with the Council for Chaplaincy in Tertiary Institutions (CCTI), Swinburne manages the appointment of all University chaplains, including an Imam. As part of this process, input and cooperation is also sought from relevant faith-based clubs and community religious leaders as necessary.
With duty of care and student wellbeing at the forefront, this ongoing approach to chaplaincy appointments is upheld without exception.
Changes to Multi Faith Centre access
As part of our ongoing effort to ensure our private University spaces are being used as intended, effective 30 June, members of the public will be restricted from accessing the Multi Faith Centre.
Access to the Multi Faith Centre is for students and staff only. This is in line with the Centre’s existing guidelines, other Swinburne spaces, and is largely consistent with other Victorian education institutions.
Sustained demand over many years demonstrates just how essential the Multi Faith Centre is to Swinburne students and staff. The restriction is in line with the Centre’s existing guidelines, other Swinburne spaces, and is largely consistent with other Victorian education institutions.
To better support the faith-based needs of our staff and student cohort, the Multi Faith Centre will also be relocating to The Junction.
The new Centre will include dedicated Islamic prayer facilities, non-denominational prayer and reflection areas, and spaces to support student wellbeing.
Many people in the wider community have come to view the Multi Faith Centre as a space for public prayer and use it as such. It is not designed for this use.
We want to ensure our private University spaces are being used as intended – they are reserved for, and designed to meet the diverse needs of, our staff and student community.
It is important to firstly recognise that Swinburne University is an education provider, not a religious institution.
The Multi Faith Centre was never designed for public use. It is a private University space for students and staff to use for prayer, worship, meditation and spiritual exploration.
Unfortunately, public access has not been tightly managed in the past; leading some people in the wider community to use the Centre as a public place of worship.
This decision serves to align the use of our private University spaces with their intended purpose – ensuring our spaces are reserved for, and continue to meet the diverse needs of, our staff and student community.
Over the past two years, we have adopted multiple approaches to address concerns about increasing public use of the Multi Faith Centre; including seeking open and constructive dialogue and providing access exemptions for immediate family. Unfortunately, none of these measures have been successful in discouraging public access.
As part of our ongoing effort to ensure our private University spaces are being used as intended, effective 30 June, members of the public will be restricted from accessing the Multi Faith Centre. This is in line with the Centre’s existing guidelines, other Swinburne spaces, and is largely consistent with other Victorian education institutions.
We have been patient and allowed a remarkably flexible period for community adjustment, but that period has now ended.
This decision follows two years of respectful engagement, including active dialogue with the Swinburne Islamic Society and the Board of Imams Victoria (BOIV).
We have been patient and allowed a period for community adjustment, but that period has now ended.
To better support the faith-based needs of our staff and student cohort, the Multi Faith Centre will also be relocating to The Junction, in the new year.
The new Centre will include prayer space for all faiths and rooms for quiet reflection and to take time out to focus on yourself.
Planning and design work is now in progress and will be shaped through further consultation with Centre users.
What governs the use of the Multi Faith Centre
The Multi Faith Centre is a place of respect and tolerance. All Centre users are expected to show courtesy to fellow users and the facility itself.
Co-created with students and staff through an inclusive, participatory and consultatory process, Multi Faith Centre guidelines complement the staff and student codes of conduct.
The guidelines are designed to ensure a safe and respectful environment is maintained for all staff and student users, of all religions, faiths and cultural backgrounds. Public access was never permitted under the original guidelines.
No. The Multi Faith Centre was never created for public use and the guidelines have always reflected that.
Exemptions were temporarily made for immediate family members over a trial period; however, these exemptions no longer apply.
Minor revisions to the Multi Faith Centre guidelines (version 3) were made in June 2025 to align with the creation of the Swinburne Student Association (SSA) and the dissolving of Swinburne Student Life (SSL).
There are no changes to the terms of access in version 3, which will be released publicly in the coming weeks.
Policies relating to the use and booking of spaces on campus is available on Swinburne’s website.
No. We must emphasise that this is not directed at any specific group. Swinburne respects all religions and gives special privileges to none.
Public access has never been permitted under the original guidelines – it simply was not effectively managed until now.
In this circumstance, we are prioritising our students and staff by ensuring our Multi Faith Centre is reserved for and continues to meet the diverse needs of the Swinburne community as an absolute priority.
We are deeply committed to protecting the right of every student to learn, interact and participate fully in university life, with a clear sense that they are welcome, they are safe, and they belong. All our students and staff are warmly invited to continue sharing in the use of the Multi Faith Centre.
Access to the Multi Faith Centre
Security will be actively checking Swinburne staff and student IDs. Those who do not have a valid Swinburne staff or student ID will not be able to access the Centre.
While we value the positive influence and support from the wider community in general, we will always ensure that our University spaces meet the needs of our University community.
We have a duty of care to our students and staff and, in line with this duty, we expect anyone visiting our campus to be a student, staff member or officially invited guest.
The Multi Faith Centre is for students and staff only. This is in line with the Centre’s existing guidelines, other Swinburne spaces, and is largely consistent with other Victorian education institutions.
Swipe card access is used wherever possible and appropriate across Swinburne campuses. In the cases where swipe card access is not possible, CCTV and security patrols may be more prevalent.
Everyone has the right to feel safe, and be safe, on campus. We will not tolerate behaviour from any person or group that threatens the safety of others.
We will also not accept, under any circumstances, intimidations or threats to our staff or students.
If a student or staff member raises an issue regarding potentially inappropriate behaviour on campus, or within University spaces, it will be investigated.
- If you, or someone you know, is being affected by inappropriate, concerning or threatening behaviour, you can report the incident online or via email safercommunity@swinburne.edu.au.
- Campus security is available 24-7, including public holidays +61 3 9214 3333.
Non-emergency door alarms exist in various spaces across campus for security purposes – the Multi Faith Centre is one of those spaces.
Where can I get further support?
If you need to talk through your challenges in a confidential space with an experienced health care professional, wellbeing support services are available for free to all students and staff.
Students | Staff |
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Swinburne students have access to medical, counselling and psychological services.
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Swinburne staff can access our employee assistance program (EAP), which is available 24-hours a day. Staff can find out more information on the Intranet. |
Other community support services are also available:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7), text 0477 131 114 or chat online
- Headspace: 1800 650 890 (9am-1am) or chat online
Swinburne takes your feedback seriously. Staff and students can submit complaints and feedback through our dedicated Complaint Form. You can also review our complaints management guidelines.
Have more questions?
For all general enquiries, please contact us via email.
Chaplains are also available to support students and staff looking for spiritual care, community, connection or conversation.