Skip to main content
Start of main content.

New Bond University precinct equips students for surging care industry

Vice Chancellor and President Tim Brailsford in front of the new building

Bond University has unveiled a new precinct at Robina to prepare students for the anticipated boom in Australia’s care sector.   

Allied health students at the new multi-level building will have access to 11,500m2 of education spaces, state-of-the-art training facilities, clinics and equipment. The tripling of the population aged over 85, projected in the federal government’s new Intergenerational Report, will drive demand for physiotherapists, exercise and sports scientists, dietitians and occupational therapists.   

The project, built by ADCO Constructions, was self-funded by Bond University and created 200 jobs during construction and more than 50 highly-skilled, ongoing positions.  

Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, officially opened the precinct and praised the University’s investment in growing the nation’s health workforce.  

“I'm sure all of you would agree with me that the value of a great education can never be underestimated. Nor can the importance of good health and the knowledge that accompanies it.”  

Vice Chancellor, Queensland Governor and Chancellor with plaque opening new building

Vice Chancellor and President Professor Tim Brailsford said the new facilities would enable Bond to train the future generation of allied health workers and do its bit to help alleviate workforce shortages.  

“We know there’s a shortage of health workers at the moment and Queensland Health are predicting larger shortages in allied health,” he said. 

"We see the additional training of students here being critical in solving some of the health crisis.” 

ADCO’s Managing Director Neil Harding said the company was thrilled to partner with Bond University to deliver the project, continuing a long association with the University.  

“We first worked with Bond University in 2004 completing the Health Science and Medicine Faculty Building. Since then, we have partnered to successfully build 24 facilities, establishing ADCO as the Builder of Choice.” 

“Our involvement with Bond University extends much further than just construction, with many of our people providing mentoring to construction students and the ADCO Sports Excellence Scholarship providing benefit to over 25 students since 2009.” 

The new building connects to the University’s existing Institute of Health and Sport building and doubles the current space for allied health programs. 

Athlete running down indoor track

Key features of the new facility include: 

* A range of new clinical spaces, including simulated hospital wards and clinician consulting rooms to accommodate treatments in physiotherapy, nutrition, rehabilitation and occupational therapy 

*Community clinics 

* A world-class 60m gait laboratory that incorporates pressure sensors and high-speed cameras to analyse human movement. It can be used to assist everything from recovery and rehabilitation for age-related conditions to elite sports training. 

* A rehabilitation gym. 

* An indoor amphitheatre in an atrium designed to encourage innovation. 

* Simulated residential settings to support research and education in occupational therapy. 

* Commercially simulated kitchen facilities for nutrition and dietetic studies. 

* An exterior design that complements the adjacent Cbus Super Stadium and adds to the overall presentation of the Robina precinct.   

The design by XL Architecture prioritises natural light, airflow, and a range of environmentally sustainable initiatives including solar power. 

 

ADCO representatives with the plaque opening the new building

More from Bond

  • Australia's long losing streak on gambling

    Australians lose more money on gambling per capita than anyone else in the world, and clinical psychologist Dr Cher McGillivray says advertising is partly to blame.

    Read article
  • Tips to reduce back-to-school stress

    Dr Cher McGillivray offers practical strategies for parents to help children cope with school refusal and anxiety.

    Read article
  • Order of Australia award for Professor Redfern

    The Director of the Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare at Bond University, Professor Julie Redfern AM, is named on the 2025 Australia Day Honours list.

    Read article
  • UV phone sanitisers dial up savings for hospitals

    Installing ultraviolet-C mobile phone sanitisers could save hospitals $500-$700 per bed annually compared to handwashing after phone use.

    Read article
  • From Cleopatra to Wellington, leaders have always taxed beer

    Australia’s ever-higher beer taxes are linked to a tradition that dates back thousands of years, says Assistant Professor Anthea Gerrard.

    Read article
Previous Next
1 of 5