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    Castlemaine Community Health and Learning Hub Opening in July 2025

     

    The Castlemaine Community Health and Learning Hub will deliver vital training for Victorians pursuing a career in healthcare, boosting local job opportunities and strengthening the region’s healthcare infrastructure.

    This project is made possible thanks to a $4 million Victorian Government investment and will be delivered by Bendigo TAFE and Dhelkaya Health. It is expected to be completed by  mid-2025.

    The innovative regional initiative will help to address skills shortages and training opportunities in the local heathcare sector.  It will offer training facilities to deliver Bendigo TAFE health services qualifications like allied health, nursing and aged care. 

    Creating an opportunity to live, learn and work locally

     

    The Castlemaine Community Health and Learning Hub will give Mount Alexander Shire and surrounding regional residents more choices to live, learn and work locally.  Additionally, Bendigo TAFE students will have direct access to placement and work opportunities in the health care industry. 

    Course Offerings

     

    Starting mid-2025, we’re offering health courses at the new Community Health and Learning Hub.

    If you want to kick-start your career or upskill and live in Castlemaine, you can now do it closer to home.

    Get the skills you need to help you land your dream job;  join us at Bendigo TAFE and be part of a movement is paving the way for rewarding careers in health and community.

    * Free TAFE on selected courses only. Eligibility criteria apply. Tuition is free. Other fees and charges, including materials and consumables, may apply. Visit freetafe.vic.gov.au 

    Project Vision

    Work begins on Community Health and Learning Hub in Castlemaine

    Bendigo TAFE CEO Sally Curtain and Dhelkaya Health CEO Sue Race were joined by Member for Bendigo West the Hon Maree Edwards MP on site today to mark the start of works.  

    Award-winning infrastructure design studio Architectus has designed the Hub, creating a flexible and multi-use facility that simulates real-life experiences and puts learning on display. Barpa, a majority Indigenous owned commercial construction company, has been engaged to undertake this construction project. Project plans were launched in May 2024, with the facility expected to be completed by mid 2025.  

    Once complete the facility will include:   

    • 4 bed health care simulation space
    • 2 bed aged care simulation (residential care)
    • home unit simulation (in home care)
    • general purpose classrooms, complemented by student breakout, storage, reception and a shared staff office space.

    Once complete the first-class training and education space will: 

    • align with local health workforce needs,  
    • support modern learning and teaching practices, emphasising active, student-centric learning, 
    • foster collaboration and teamwork among students, educators, industry affiliates and community partners, and  
    • facilitate remote program delivery to cater to students' diverse needs.

    All spaces will be shared by Bendigo TAFE for training delivery and by Dhelkaya Health for training development for staff in the graduate nurse program, external students and the Monash University GP program.

    A program of consultation with Dhelkaya Heath staff and local community including schools, employers and stakeholders will help to inform the planning and development of this innovative training hub.