Murdoch University, established in 1972, is located in Perth in Western Australia. It lies in the suburb of Murdoch, approximately 14 kilometres south down the Kwinana Freeway from the centre of Perth. It has Australia's geographically largest campus, necessary in order to accommodate Western Australia's only veterinary school. Most of the southern part of the university consists of paddocks of livestock.

Murdoch University was initially intended to cater predominantly to mature-aged students. It is home to several disciplinary schools: law, arts, science, engineering, veterinary studies, education and commerce.

Plans by the Australian federal government to merge the university with the University of Western Australia in 1988 were shelved. Murdoch University particularly prides itself on its high standard of teaching and focus on students needs. Murdoch University is a member of Innovative Research Universities Australia (IRU Australia).