Brunswick (VIC)
306 Albert Street, Brunswick VIC, 3056
Merri-Bek Council
Merri-Bek Council also asked us why Brunswick, so we told them!
North Business Awards
We were nominated for the Inner North Business Awards in 2025, so they must have enjoyed us being here the past few years, too!
Making Space for Bio-Led Innovation in Merri Bek
With three facilities housed together in the heart of Brunswick, we’re perfectly positioned at the intersection of creativity, innovation and community. We’re a minute’s walk from the Brunswick train station, 4 minutes from the Number 19 Tram, 5km from the CBD and only 18km from Melbourne Airport. That’s a big win.
Unit 1
- 280 m2 office space
- 12 co-working desks (4 available)
- 18 pax office (leased)
- 2 pax office (leased)
- 3 pax office (leased)
- 3 pax office (leased)
- 3 quiet rooms
- Kitchen, BBQ
- Meeting/Board Room/Multi-Function Room
- Podcasting, Photography and Videography Kit and Services Available
Unit 17
- 180 m2 PC2 lab space
- 17 lab benches
- 6 co-working desks
- Kitchen with Dual induction hotplates
- One private lab pod (4-6 lab benches)
Unit 20
- Two Private Lab Pods of 100m2 each (both are currently under lease)
- Engineering Pod (currently leased)
Ecosystem
BioQuisitive
This civic science laboratory is a hub for grassroots scientific exploration and learning, focusing on supporting initiatives with positive social and environmental outcomes. CoLabs’ proximity to BioQuisitive fosters a culture of shared knowledge and experimentation between both communities, strengthening Melbourne’s bio-led innovation ecosystem.
Want to join our community? Check out our Discord.
Engineering & Fabrication
With a high concentration of engineering workshops and fabrication facilities nearby (like Moth Design, Pondeljak or Sean and Horn) Brunswick offers unparalleled access to prototyping, product development, and technical expertise. Whether you need precision machining or advanced materials, it’s all here. We even have a Maker Community around the corner.
RMIT University
Just minutes away, RMIT brings a pipeline of technical talent, cutting-edge research, and education in design and innovation. Collaborating with RMIT and bringing students through our spaces each semester allows them to be exposed to the forefront of innovation while providing a pathway towards meaningful employment with our member organisations, nurturing the next generation of changemakers.
Great cuisine/coffee
Yeah, look, this is a big one for us coffee snobs. Brunswick’s eclectic café and food scene is second to none. With a variety of cuisines and some of Melbourne’s best coffee (and tea), the area ensures you’re always energised and inspired. From Mile End Bagels, Lunar by Hikari, Market Lane, Inner North Brewing, Wildlife Suprette or Project 281 – you’re spoilt for choice.
High density of technical talent
Brunswick’s unique blend of academia, industry, and creative enterprises attracts some of the brightest minds in science, engineering, and design. This rich cultural fabric makes Brunswick an ideal location for our community of innovators to live, work and play.
The Brunswick Design District (BDD) is where creativity, science, and sustainability intersect – fostering experimentation, collaboration, and regenerative innovation. With a strong legacy in design, fabrication, and ethical enterprise, it offers CoLabs members a unique ecosystem to explore the connections between biotechnology, material science, and circular design.
At the heart of this district, you’re surrounded by a dense network of makers, researchers, and entrepreneurs, accelerating the journey from concept to real-world impact. Like a thriving ecosystem, this diversity fuels breakthroughs across design, engineering, and science. Embedding CoLabs within a globally recognised hub for innovation and creativity.
This civic science laboratory is a hub for grassroots scientific exploration and learning, focusing on supporting initiatives with positive social and environmental outcomes. CoLabs’ proximity to BioQuisitive fosters a culture of shared knowledge and experimentation between both communities, strengthening Melbourne’s bio-led innovation ecosystem.
Want to join our community? Check out our Discord.
Home to world-class research institutes, universities, and hospitals, the Parkville Precinct is a powerhouse of life sciences and medical innovation. Being a stone’s throw away (or an 11-minute tram ride for those that don’t throw stones) to connect with leading-edge research and foster impactful collaborations between industry and academia.
With a high concentration of engineering workshops and fabrication facilities nearby (like Moth Design, Pondeljak or Sean and Horn) Brunswick offers unparalleled access to prototyping, product development, and technical expertise. Whether you need precision machining or advanced materials, it’s all here. We even have a Maker Community around the corner.
Just minutes away, RMIT brings a pipeline of technical talent, cutting-edge research, and education in design and innovation. Collaborating with RMIT and bringing students through our spaces each semester allows them to be exposed to the forefront of innovation while providing a pathway towards meaningful employment with our member organisations, nurturing the next generation of changemakers.
Yeah, look, this is a big one for us coffee snobs. Brunswick’s eclectic café and food scene is second to none. With a variety of cuisines and some of Melbourne’s best coffee (and tea), the area ensures you’re always energised and inspired. From Mile End Bagels, Lunar by Hikari, Market Lane, Inner North Brewing, Wildlife Suprette or Project 281 – you’re spoilt for choice.
Brunswick’s unique blend of academia, industry, and creative enterprises attracts some of the brightest minds in science, engineering, and design. This rich cultural fabric makes Brunswick an ideal location for our community of innovators to live, work and play.
Make our member perks your multiplier
We believe in transparency and will always communicate any pricing revisions well in advance, ensuring our members are fully informed. Our goal is to work collaboratively with you to co-create and maintain and thriving community at CoLabs.
- Fridges / freezers (-20, -80)
- Some second-hand glassware
- Autoclaves
- Incubators (normal and CO2)
- PCR, qPCR, gradient PCR
- Inverted, standard and stereo microscopes
- Fume hoods, laminar flow hoods, BSCs
- Scales, pH meters
- Centrifuge in 1.5, 15 ml and 50 ml volumes
- Waste management
- Purchasing and procurement
- General utilities
Our community of impact-oriented innovators.
Member Perks
We’ve made it our mission to clear as many barriers to frontier science and innovation as we can. That means we make essentials easier for you – like ready-to-use labs, equipment, storage and waste services – and we lean in where you need us, from R&D support to sourcing specialised equipment and helping you make crucial connections to researchers and investors. All so you can move faster and build with confidence.
- Collaborative partners
- Transdisciplinary community
- Knowledge exchange
- Training & events
- Funding advice & connections
- Marketing assistance
- Partnerships with academia, industry & government
Service Offerings
By the Bench
By the meter
Hot Desk
Fixed Desk - Sit Stand
Private Offices (1-3 person)
Private Offices (5-10 person)
What’s not included
- Custom or unique equipment that is required for your work
- Consumables and reagents
- New glassware
- Bulk storage of samples
- Bulk storage space (available on site)
Thank you to our sponsors, from early days to every day
Founding Partners
Gold
Silver
Bronze
