Join a Lab | The Lab

Where are you located?

All Labs are organised locally and applications are made directly to a Lab nearest to you. Some Labs are associated with larger organisations who manage or auspice The Lab and some Labs are organised by individuals or small groups of parents or carers in their local area.

Use the links on individual locations listed below to access venue and session information on a local Lab.

Please see the front page of the website for up to date information about the operation of local Labs during social distancing restrictions related to Covid-19.

All Labs operate independently and there may be variations in the schedule and cost of sessions between Labs.

Once you have identified a Lab near to you please register your interest by using our online registration system. Your registration will go directly to your local Lab.

Click on the button below to register for a Lab near to you.
Please keep note of the password you set to login at a later time.

+ Filters

Bega, NSW

The Bega Lab has been running since February 2016 and is open to participants aged 10-16 years.
Session times are Tuesdays during school terms from 4 to 6pm.

Sessions are held at: The Bega Youth Space, 91 Gipps Street, Bega.

Cost per session: $20 or $15 concession.

To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Bega Lab from the list at the top of the child registration screen.

If you have any questions about this Lab please contact bega@thelab.org.au

Hornsby, NSW

The Lab Hornsby opened in October 2012.

Originally the intention was to support a group of 10 young people in the program.

The demand we experienced convinced us to increase the numbers, and we now run two sessions each Saturday morning, enabling up to 30 young people to participate.

Hornsby RSL generously provide a room in which we hold The Lab Hornsby.

The sessions are facilitated by Just Better Care Hills District, a local Hornsby / Baulkham Hills area provider of in-home support for disabled and frail aged residents.

We have a team of five mentors who support our participants with guidance and technical expertise.
Saturday sessions are of one and a half hours duration (0900 to 1030 and 1030 to 1200).

To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Hornsby Lab from the list at the top of the child registration screen.

For further information please email thelabhornsby@justbettercare.com or call (02) 9484 8788.

Rhodes, NSW

The Lab at The Learning Space, Rhodes, has been running since Term 3, 2018.

In Rhodes we focus on technical and creative skills, offering mentoring by professionals in coding, digital design, gaming, 3D modelling, 3D printing and more. We work to create a safe environment for social development. The sessions are held in a Makerspace with access to a wide variety of digital and physical tools.

There is a dedicated meeting room located next to the Makerspace for parents who wish to stay on site.

The Lab, Rhodes, runs on Tuesday afternoons from 4pm to 6pm during School Terms.

To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Rhodes Lab from the list at the top of the child registration screen.

Grafton, NSW

The Grafton Lab expects to commence sessions for term 3, 2019.
Venue details will be published when finalised.

To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child.

Gold Coast, Qld

The Lab on the Gold Coast commenced in February 2015.

The Lab sessions are held at Autism Gold Coast, Cascade Gardens, Gold Coast Highway.

The Lab is currently running three sessions per week during Queensland school terms:
Saturday – 9.00am – 11.00am, 11.15am – 1.15pm, 1.45pm – 3.45pm.

The cost is $22.00 per session, payable at the beginning of each school term.

To register your child for the Gold Coast Lab please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and enter your and your child’s details. Select the Gold Coast Lab from the list on the top of the child registration screen.

You can contact the Gold Coast Lab at goldcoast@thelab.org.au

Banyo, Qld

This is the only Lab to open in the Brisbane region. First term commences on 30th January, 2017.
Sessions run at the following times:

Monday
4:30pm – 6:30pm

Wednesday
4:30pm – 6:30pm

The cost is $25 per session, payable at the beginning of the school term. This covers the cost of our mentors, who are professional programmers, graphic designers, 3d modelers and animators.

To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Virginia Lab from the list at the top of the child registration screen.

For any enquiries, please contact Dylan at banyo@thelab.org.au

Caboolture, Qld

The Lab Caboolture has two sessions 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm weekly Saturdays to school term. To add your name to the wait list please see the link below.

Two Technical/Social Groups are held at the Caboolture Neighbourhood Centre, 9 George Street, Caboolture. Laptops can be provided upon request.

To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child.

Mt Gambier, SA

The Mt Gambier Lab operates at the Group Training and Employment (GTE) Building.
173 Commercial St W, Mount Gambier SA

Saturday mornings during school term dates from 9:30am – 12pm.

To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Mt Gambier Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form.

Melrose Park, SA

The Melrose Park Lab operates at The Benevolent Society. Unit 1 / 34-40 Bennett Avenue, Melrose Park, SA
Sessions run on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 – 6pm & Saturdays from 10am to 12pm.

• Our friendly reception team will bring you through to the LAB Hub.
• Ample parking is available on-site.
• There are some coffee shops on site, but these close between 4PM – 5PM.
• There is a Parent Café/waiting area at Reception, if you wish to stay.

To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Melrose Park Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form.

Salisbury, SA

The Salisbury Lab operates in the Helen Barnes Room at the Salisbury Library. 55 John St, Salisbury, SA.
Sessions are held on Saturdays from 10am to 12pm and 1pm – 3pm.

• Enter the library and head to the Helen Barnes room at the rear of the library.
• Parking is available locally. There are both street parks or a shopping centre nearby.
• There are some coffee shops nearby.
• You can stay nearby at the library if you wish to stay.

To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Salisbury Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form.

Stem Camp, Vic

The Rural and Regional Game Jam will run over 3 days during the second week of the Term 3 school holidays. Each day will focus on a different part of the game development process to create an exciting game with console, developing skills in coding, graphic design and CAD, respectively. Each student will receive a tech kit valued at $100, plus post the Camp, will be sent a package containing their handheld console in the packaging they designed with the game they built.

3 Day – Camp Dates

Monday September 28: MakeCode Arcade Game Development
Wednesday September 29: Adobe Illustrator Graphic Design
Friday October 2: Tinkercad 3D CAD

The program will give attendees the opportunity to learn together and develop their ideas. At the end of each day they will have a chance to show what they’ve achieved, with Tuesday and Thursday left for self-direction and independent work on their projects if they chose to.

This is a free online program funding by the Department of Education and Victoria, in partnership with Banyule Nillumbik Tech School, Whittlesea Tech School and The Lab specifically for young people in Rural and Regional Locations.

To register your child for the Stem Camp please click on the orange REGISTER button at the top of this page and enter your and your child’s details. Select the Stem Camp from the list on the top of the child registration screen.

Avondale Heights, Vic

The Avondale Heights Lab will run sessions on Wednesday 4.30pm – 6.30pm at the Avondale Heights Library and Learning Centre; 69 Military Rd, Avondale Heights

Sessions will run during the Victorian School term and is specifically for participants aged 17 – 25 years old.

The cost is $25 per session. This covers the cost of our mentors, who are professional programmers, graphic designers, 3D modellers and software designers.

To express your interest and reserve a place for your child, please register by clicking on the orange REGISTER button on this page and select the Niddrie Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form

For further information please email disability@mvcc.gov.au or call Moonee Valley City Council on ph. 9243 8888

Ballarat, Vic

Sessions are held at the Ballarat Tech School, 136 Albert St, Ballarat Central on Thursday afternoons from 4.30 to 6.30 pm.

The cost will be $25 per session with session dates following the school term.
To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Ballarat Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form.
For further information please contact ballarat@thelab.org.au

Bendigo, Vic

The Bendigo Lab will commence sessions in March, 2020 and will be hosted by the Bendigo Tech School. Sessions will be held on Tuesday afternoons from 4 – 6pm during school term dates and are offered at no cost.
For general enquiries please contact bendigotechschool@latrobe.edu.au

To register your interest and be contacted as soon as starting details are available please register by clicking on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Bendigo Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form.

Docklands, Vic

The Lab at the Docklands Library will commence sessions during term 4 2019. Sessions will be held on Saturday mornings from 10am – 12pm.

To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Docklands Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form.

Ferntree Gully, Vic

The Lab Ferntree Gully runs sessions on Wednesdays 4 – 6pm for 9 – 15 year olds.

The Lab is at: 22 Willow Rd, Upper Ferntree Gully

The cost is $20 per session ($15 concession) payable by the term.

To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of
your child. Select the Ferntree Gully Lab from the list at the top of the child registration screen.

Contact No: 9758 7081

Nth Fitzroy, Vic

The Lab at Bargoonga Nganjin, Nth Fitzroy Library will commence sessions as soon as possible following the lifting of access restrictions. At this stage we are unsure when this will be possible.
When sessions commence they will be held on a Wednesday between 5 and 7pm.

To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Fitzroy Nth Lab from the list at the top of the child registration screen. You’ll be contacted as soon as we have more information about a start date.

Footscray, Vic

The Lab Footscray is currently running the following sessions;

Saturday
Social Session
11.30am – 1.30pm

Social Session
1.30pm – 3.30pm

The cost is $20 per session, payable each school term. This covers the cost of mentors who are professional programmers and software designers.

To register your interest please click on the blue Join a Lab button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Footscray Lab from the list at the top of the child registration screen.

Frankston, Vic

The Lab Frankston Vic Inc
Cube37@FAC

The Lab was established in Frankston in 2013 and continues to operate with support from the Frankston City Council.A not-for-profit association run by our members, The Lab Frankston Vic Inc is located at Cube37 at The Frankston Arts Centre, 25 – 37 Davey St, Frankston. The entrance to Cube37 is to the right of the main Arts Centre entrance.

DAYS & TIMES – SCHOOL TERMS ONLY

TUESDAYS

4:00 – 6:00pm

6:00 – 8:00pm

SATURDAYS

12:30 – 2:30pm

The cost is $25 per two-hour session. We request a single payment to cover the weeks of each school term. Your payment covers the cost of room rental and our paid mentors, who include professional programmers and designers.

The Frankston Lab also runs social activites for participants during school holidays.

To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Frankston Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form.

We are planning to start new sessions on other days and times, so if you cannot attend current sessions please still consider registering your interest. Places in existing and new groups will be offered in order of the date of registration.

If you have a query please contact – frankston@thelab.org.au

Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptop or other device. A limited number of loan laptops are available.

For those looking to get a laptop for their child, here are some recommendations of what to look for;

Cheaper/Short Term (2 years)
CPU: i3-i5
Ram: 4GB+
Graphics card: Intel/AMD would suffice.
Hard Drive: 500GB+

Longer term (4 years)
CPU: i5-i7
Ram: 8GB+
Graphics card: nVidia or ATI Radeon
Hard Drive: 1TB

Geelong, Vic

The Lab Geelong was established in March 2013.

The Lab Geelong is thankful for the support of Just Better Care.

The Lab Geelong currently runs the following sessions;

Wednesday
Social Session
5:00pm-7:00pm

Friday
Social Session
5:00pm-7:00pm

Saturday
Social Session
9.30am-11.30am

Saturday
Social Session
11.30am-1.30pm

To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Geelong Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form.

Greensborough, Vic

Greensborough Lab sessions will run in Term 4 on Monday and Wednesday, commencing;
Monday 14 – October – 9 December
Wednesday – 16 October– 11 December

There is no cost to participate in The Greensborough Lab.
Currently there is a waiting list for Monday sessions and limited places available for our Wednesday session.
Please specify your choice of day in the ‘Additional Details’ section of the registration form.

To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Greensborough Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form.

Highett, Vic

The Highett Lab is set to commence sessions very soon at Highett Neighborhood Community House, 2 Livingstone St,
Highett.
Sessions will run on Wednesdays from 4.30-6.30pm between Wednesday 30th October and Wednesday 18th December.

To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Highett Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form.

Leopold, Vic

The Leopold Lab runs a session on Wednesdays from 5pm – 7pm.

To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Leopold Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form.

Moonee Ponds, Vic

The Lab Moonee Ponds will commence Saturday 20 July 2019

The Moonee Ponds Lab will run sessions on Saturday 10am – 12pm at the Sam Merrifield Library; 762 Mt Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds

Sessions will run during the Victorian School term.

The cost is $25 per session. This covers the cost of our mentors, who are professional programmers, graphic designers, 3D modellers and software designers.

For further information please email disability@mvcc.gov.au or call Moonee Valley City Council on ph. 9243 8888

We are currently taking an expressions of interest for a Lab session for those aged 17-25 years. At this stage we are unsure of a venue or day/time. Please register your interest or email disability@mvcc.vic.gov.au to discuss further.

Mornington, Vic

The Lab Mornington runs a session every Monday during the school term from 4.30 – 6.30pm.
The Lab is located at The Studio @ PCT, Wilsons Rd, Mornington.
To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Mornington Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form.

Morwell, Vic

The Lab at Morwell will commence sessions for Term 4 2019 on October 8. Sessions will be held from 6pm to 8pm at CoAbility, 215 Princess Drive, Morwell. The venue is conveniently located near to bus and train services.
Please register your interest by clicking on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Morwell Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form.

Niddre, Vic

The Lab Niddrie will commence Tuesday 16 July 2019

The Niddrie Lab will run sessions on Tuesday 4.30pm – 6.30pm at the Niddrie Neighbourhood Centre (Niddrie Community Hub); 3-15 Matthews Ave, Niddrie.

Sessions will run during the Victorian School term.

The cost is $25 per session. This covers the cost of our mentors, who are professional programmers, graphic designers, 3D modellers and software designers.

For further information please email disability@mvcc.gov.au or call Moonee Valley City Council on ph. 9243 8888

Reservoir, Vic

The Lab Reservoir is located at The Reservoir Neighborhood House. Following on from the Digital Enterprise Project, passionate staff and participants were eager to continue its success.

Sessions run every Saturday during the Victorian school term for two hours. There is a morning session at 10am-12:00pm and an afternoon session at 12:30pm-2:30pm.

Sessions are semi-structured with the term 2 program focusing on content creation. Participants are welcome to explore the topic of the day, or let us know what you’re interested in and our dedicated mentors will be more than happy to guide you along.

Term fees are payable at the beginning of the term.

To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Reservoir Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form.

Please contact admin@reservoirnh.org.au for further details.

Torquay, Vic

The Lab Torquay was established in August 2015.

The Lab Torquay runs a social session – Monday, 4:30pm-6:30pm
To register your interest please click on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Torquay Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form.

Werribee, Vic

A new Lab is set to open in central Werribee soon.
More details will be posted here when they are available.
Please register your interest by clicking on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Werribee Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form. We can then contact you directly when we have session times and a starting date.

WA Online , Western Australia

This is a new group that will be commencing for Term 4.

Please register your interest by clicking on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the WA Online Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form. We can then contact you directly when we have session times and a starting date.

This group will be able to transition to face to face sessions as soon as social distancing restrictions are lifted.

The Lab Online, National

The Lab Online has been running since 2016 and while it is a different experience to face to face venues, it still offers participants an opportunity to explore their technology interests in a social setting. We use video chat technology that is both highly secure and has a range of privacy controls that allow each participant to switch their audio or video feed on or off as they want.

Group sizes are small so that participants get sufficient assistance with sessions focused on the development of a project that might be coding or art based, depending on participants interests. For more information please refer to the page linked further down this page or register using the orange button.

Canberra, ACT

This is a new group that will be commencing for Term 4.

Please register your interest by clicking on the orange REGISTER button on this page and register your details and those of your child. Select the Canberra Online Lab from the list at the top of the child registration form. We can then contact you directly when we have session times and a starting date.

This group will be able to transition to face to face sessions as soon as social distancing restrictions are lifted.

The Lab Online

The Lab Online delivers The Lab program in an online format for participants unable to access a face-to-face venue. We use a highly secure video conferencing platform to deliver weekly mentored sessions that explore creating coding and other game and web related creative activities.

The Lab in the media

Jobs at Labs

The Role of the Mentor
The Lab aims to encourage social engagement through a young person’s interests in technology. The mentor’s role is to facilitate participants technology and skill development experience during Lab sessions. Mentors are experienced programmers, games developers and digital media artists who have all successfully completed Police and Working With Children Checks required by law in each state in which Labs operate.

Mentors are valued for their technical and interpersonal skills but the mentor’s role is not as a teacher, parent, disciplinarian or therapist. The most important element of the participants experience is that they have an enjoyable experience in a safe and supported environment.

Download and read about The Lab Mentor's role and responsibilities

Mentoring at a Lab
Labs are always on the lookout for enthusiastic IT and Game Developers to work as mentors at The Lab. Being a Lab mentor is a fun and highly rewarding opportunity to share your tech skills with enthusiastic young people with a passion for games and technology.

While a spot might not be immediately available, Labs are keen to know that you are in their area and interested to be involved.

For more information please contact us at admin@thelab.org.au, include your current CV and indicate the Lab venue most appropriate for you.

Want to be a part of The Lab?

Find your nearest Lab and get involved in a network of like-minded techology experts.