Murdoch University veterinary school to undergo a $100 million rebuild

August 7, 2025

A $100 million gift from Ted Powell will fund a transformational and expanded veterinary training and research facility at Murdoch

*A $100 million donation will provide Murdoch University with a Veterinary Medicine facility offering the highest quality service for agriculture and science *– Image: MU* Veterinary facility*

Murdoch University’s iconic veterinary school will undergo a complete rebuild with a recent $100 million gift, especially for the veterinary program to be doubled from 100 to 200 participants.

The existing School will be replaced by a 9,600sqm state-of-the-art facility large enough to support a 50% increase in the number of vet students who can be trained in WA. It will sit alongside Boola Katitjin, Murdoch’s academic building, voted the world’s best in 2023.

The $100 million gift from Perth businessman and philanthropist Ted Powell is the largest ever received by a WA university and one of the largest received by any Australian university.

*Perth businessman and philanthropist Ted Powell shown here with vet school regular Megsie has donated $100 million to build a new facility – Image: MU* Veterinary facility

Mr Powell is a long-term supporter of the University through The Ragdoll Foundation, created with his late wife Dee, which provides financial support to students through the Ragdoll Scholarship program. Since its inception, more than 140 Murdoch students have earned their degrees with financial support from the foundation.

“There are many good causes in the medical field, in the educational field and I would encourage anyone who is financially well-off to consider giving to worthy causes,” Ted Powell expressed.

“I am absolutely delighted that this gift will support the redevelopment of the Veterinary School. My late wife Dee was an animal lover, and I think she’d be really, really proud of this project,” Ted Powell added.

Vice Chancellor Professor Andrew Deeks said Mr Powell’s extraordinary act of generosity would help ensure WA continued its role as a leading hub for animal research, teaching and training.

**Murdoch University’s iconic veterinary school will undergo a complete redevelopment following an unprecedented $100 million gift** *– Image: MU* Veterinary facility

Inclusion and support at the upgraded facility

Support next-generation world-class teaching and research at WA’s only veterinary school and animal teaching hospital.
Upgrade and expand the ageing veterinary school to continue to meet modern standards and best serve the WA and Australian community.
Train more veterinarians, addressing critical workforce shortages in WA and nationally.
Build on Murdoch University’s demonstrated strengths in livestock, equine, wildlife and conservation, animal care and welfare.
Support more cutting-edge research into animal health, welfare and disease.

*The Murdoch Veterinary School is responsible for conducting research into animal health and welfare with a vital role to play if an animal disease should arise *– Image: MU* Veterinary facility*

Over 4000 vets have graduated

Since its foundation in 1975, Murdoch’s School of Veterinary Medicine has graduated 4000 veterinarians and consolidated its ranking in the world’s top 50. The school currently trains approximately 100 graduate veterinarians each year.

In addition to the School, The Animal Hospital at Murdoch University (TAHMU) provides services directly to the WA public and offers an important referral service for local veterinarians, along with a range of specialist services.

Including to the agricultural and racing industries. It is the facility of choice for dealing with the most complex animal health issues and treats everything from birds, dogs and cats to horses and exotic zoo animals such as giraffes.

Professor Deeks said the new School was part one of a staged project to upgrade TAHMU and refurbish the current veterinary school buildings to create a new Conservation and Life Sciences precinct at the University.

“Veterinary Medicine was one of 10 Foundation courses offered by Murdoch when we opened 50 years ago and a commitment to the environment and conservation are part of the University’s DNA,” Professor Deeks added.

*Murdoch Veterinary School is responsible for the delivery of associated education including the training of professionally registrable veterinarians and specialists *– Image: MU* Veterinary facility*

“The discipline has advanced significantly over that time, as have the safety requirements for biological laboratories and animal facilities. The new facility will improve the safety and wellbeing of staff, students and animals alike – as well as providing a higher quality service for the agricultural and scientific community and the broader WA community.

“The development also strengthens research in animal health and the University’s One Health agenda, recognising the links between human, animal and environmental health; expand biomedical research collaborations and attracts high calibre academics, students and other animal specialists.

“On behalf of Murdoch University, I cannot thank Ted Powell enough for his generosity, support and foresight. He will leave a legacy for the Western Australian veterinary profession, animal research – and for animals great and small – which will resonate for generations to come,” Professor Deeks concluded.

Apply for a Veterinary Medicine course at Murdoch University on this link.

See more about the $100 million donation from Perth businessman and philanthropist Ted Powell and what it will mean to Murdoch University on this video link.