Janet Clarke Hall

Empowering Future Leaders. Creating Lasting Impact.

Janet Clarke Hall is a residential college of the University of Melbourne with a proud legacy of firsts. Founded in 1886, we were the first residential college in Australia to admit women, one of the first to become co-educational, and by 2035, we aim to become Australia’s first need-blind residential college—meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need, offering sector-leading, transformative opportunities to the most promising young people in Australia and beyond, regardless of socio-economic background.

Our close-knit community fosters academic excellence, leadership, and a deep commitment to social responsibility. With the largest per capita scholarship fund of any Australian residential college, Janet Clarke Hall currently provides financial assistance to two-thirds of our students, with still more worthy applicants in need of support. We aim to open doors to an outstanding university experience for students, with our 140-year-old heritage listed building as their home.

More Than Just a Place to Live

Janet Clarke Hall provides an outstanding academic and residential experience, offering students a close and supportive community within the larger framework of the University. Our small size and vibrant culture encourages every student to pursue excellence, explore new interests, and take on leadership roles.

With a dedicated team of tutors who engage daily in teaching, mentoring, and academic support, our students consistently achieve exceptional results—more than 40% of all grades at First Class Honours level and 90% at Honours level, significantly above the University average. Beyond academics, our students are active participants in social, cultural, and sporting life, forming lifelong friendships and professional connections – often over a shared meal in the Dining Hall, playing ping pong in the Junior Common Room, or sat in front of one of the Colleges cosy fire places.

Education Transforms Lives. Your Legacy Can Too.

By including a gift in your Will to Janet Clarke Hall, you become part of our enduring mission to shape courageous, compassionate, trailblazing and intellectually curious young leaders.

Your legacy can help us realize our vision of ensuring that financial barriers never stand in the way of potential—funding scholarships, enriching programs, and sustaining a community where students support and uplift one another.

After taking care of your loved ones, we invite you to consider leaving a lasting impact—one that empowers future generations to pursue knowledge, embrace diversity, and make meaningful contributions to the world.

Together, we can ensure that opportunity is never out of reach.

Janet Clarke Hall aims to become Australia’s first need-blind residential college, meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need to the most promising young people in Australia and beyond, regardless of socio-economic background. Learn more in our Five-Year Strategic Plan – 2024 – 2029.