Outside of building 189

Building 189 – Market Hall and activity room bookings

Welcome to the home of student events in the heart of the University of Melbourne Student Precinct.

About Building 189

Building 189 includes:

  • Market Hall – A large, flexible event space for student-facing programs
  • Level 1 Gallery – A mezzanine space overlooking Market Hall. Providing a top-down view of the space, the gallery offers additional seating and hang-out areas for up to 50 people
  • Four activity rooms – Ideal for workshops, meetings, creative sessions, and breakout spaces. Rooms have a capacity of up to 50 people.
  • Lockers are available in Building 189 on level 1, and can be used by all University staff and students.

All bookings are managed in line with the Student Precinct Operational Model, which prioritises student engagement, transparency, and shared use of space during semester periods.

Booking guidelines

What’s the space for?

Building 189 is bookable for student-facing events during semester, including:

  • Whole-of-campus student engagement events
  • Student club & society activities
  • Creative workshops and exhibitions
  • Student services programs
  • Information sessions, panels, and community building events

What’s the space not for?

During the semester, student-facing activities are prioritised in Building 189. This space is not primarily intended for staff and external activities such as:

  • Admin or internal staff meetings
  • Academic teaching or tutorials
  • Events not primarily aimed at student engagement

Faculties, student clubs and general student use

Market Hall is a large, light-filled and flexible event space within Building 189 hosting up to 150 guests.

Bookings open 12 weeks in advance and are managed on a first-come, first-served basis, based on alignment with the Student Precinct’s goals. Booking requests must provide relevant information on the type of event your wish to run and how it will benefit the student experience.

Direct Booking System (DiBS)

For more information about booking Market Hall please see the Event User Guide (PDF 807.6 KB).

Booking the Activity Rooms

Student-led activity

There are four Activity Rooms in Building 189, primarily reserved for student-led activity. Rooms have capacity for up to 50 people and are available to book by registered student clubs and associations.

Staff departments may request Activity Rooms only when used in conjunction with a larger, student-focused event in Market Hall (e.g. breakout spaces, quiet rooms, support services). Standalone bookings by staff for internal meetings are generally not approved.

If you're requesting both Market Hall and Activity Rooms, please indicate this in your request and explain how each space will be used.

Direct Booking System (DiBS)

G01: 16 desks, 32 chairs, wooden floor. Bluetooth audio and AV wall screen.
G02: 16 tables, 32 chairs, wooden floor. Bluetooth audio and mobile AV screen.
101: 8 tables, 16 chairs, carpeted floor.
102: 8 tables, 16 chairs, carpeted floor, one upright piano.

Other bookings

UMSU, SASS, and central university event teams

If you're planning major student-facing events for all Unimelb students (e.g. Open Day, RUOK Day, Wominjeka), you are encouraged to submit booking requests before each semester as part of forward planning.

To request early-semester access to Market Hall and activity rooms, please contact:

performingarts-ops@unimelb.edu.au

Learn more about Building 189 spaces

  • The Gallery is a mezzanine space overlooking Market Hall. Providing a top-down view of the space, the Gallery offers additional seating and hang-out areas for up to 50 people.

  • Located a stone’s throw from the bustling Swanston Street tram stop, the Amphitheatre offers a place for student events, performances and to simply relax and unwind.

    View location

    What’s on in the Amphitheatre and around campus

  • The Identity Bricks project invited Indigenous students, staff and alumni to share and embed their cultural stories and journeys in a permanent installation in Building 189. Integrated into the structural columns of the building, the Identity Bricks serve as a creative recognition of this site as an Indigenous place with a continuing and diverse Indigenous presence.

  • Building 189 is targeting a 5 Star Green-Rated building from the Green Building Council of Australia.

    Explore our sustainability approach

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • Bookings open 12 weeks in advance for student clubs, faculties and other University departments via DiBS. UMSU events, SASS and Central Event teams may book ahead of semester.

  • All availability is shown in real time on the DiBS platform.

  • No – all booking requests must go through DiBS (unless part of the pre-semester planning process). Email requests will not be processed.

  • All bookings are assessed based on availability, event alignment, and overall programming guidelines. If your request is declined, we encourage you to view other dates via DiBS.

  • Only the time you've booked is guaranteed. Please include any setup/pack-down time in your booking request.