Australia’s first fully integrated children’s cancer centre has reached construction completion within a $658-million hospital project in Sydney’s east.
The 12-storey Sydney Children’s Hospital Stage 1 and Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre is part of more than $1.5 billion in health infrastructure investment at Randwick.
Built by John Holland for Health Infrastructure, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and the Children’s Cancer Institute, the project was delivered over a three-year program starting in June, 2022.
Almost 1.95 million construction hours went into the build, which will also support about 500 paediatric roles across the Randwick health and education hub.
NSW’s 2025-26 Budget includes $12.4 billion over four years for health infrastructure, including $11.25 million earmarked for planning upgrades to the Royal Hospital for Women, also in Randwick.
Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network chief executive Cathryn Cox said the new facility was the product of years of planning involving staff, families and the community.
“The modern facilities, technology and equipment will give us room to grow, tailor care to improve health outcomes, and respond to the state’s evolving paediatric healthcare needs,” she said.
Designed by Billard Leece Partnership (BLP) after consultation with more than 1000 stakeholders—including patients, carers, clinicians and First Nations representatives—the facility connects to the $870-million Prince of Wales Hospital Acute Services Building.
It also links to the $600-million University of New South Wales (UNSW) Health Translation Hub, due for completion this year.
The design includes landscaped terraces, rooftop gardens and outdoor spaces, and a facade inspired by Bidjigal Country’s coastal cliffs, shifting light and native plants.
“Children heal in hospitals that have been purpose-designed for them, especially when their full spectrum of needs, including clinical, emotional and social, are met,” BLP managing director and health lead Tara Veldman said.
The building houses a larger children’s intensive-care unit, expanded emergency department, neurosciences centre, day oncology, inpatient wards, a bone marrow transplant unit and a virtual care hub.
It also includes co-located laboratories, education and training spaces, family amenities, recreational areas and a pet visiting space.
In a first for Australia, the Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre will bring clinical care and research for childhood cancer into one facility, aiming to accelerate the translation of discoveries into treatment.
It will expand the globally recognised Zero Childhood Cancer Program’s capacity for personalised therapies.
BLP is also designing the new Paediatric Services Building at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
The children’s hospital is one of several major projects in and around Randwick.
The University of New South Wales is advancing a $171-million education tower to expand its health and research programs, while in the suburb’s commercial centre Dexus is planning a 237-apartment development above the Royal Randwick Shopping Centre.
In nearby Kingsford, Avenor is delivering a 674-bed student accommodation complex.
