15 January 2026
A YEAR IN REVIEW: EXPERIENCE GOLD COAST EDUCATION 2025 WRAP UP
Throughout 2025, the Experience Gold Coast Education Team strengthened the region’s position as a globally recognised study destination within the lifestyle capital of Australia. Our work was delivered across three key streams — Careers & Employability, Student Attraction, and Student Experience & Wellbeing — supported by a strong and collaborative Industry Partnerships function.
Under the Careers & Employability stream, the Gold Coast Careers Festival attracted more than 9,000 attendees, while the Student Recruitment Event at HOTA provided a direct platform for students to engage with employers, showcase their skills and secure meaningful job opportunities.
The Student Attraction stream celebrated a standout achievement with the success of the Gold Coast New Student Grants program, which delivered over 250 grants in the first round, followed by a further 100 grants in the second round. Supported by targeted onshore and offshore engagement activities, international agent webinars and market outreach initiatives, the program significantly strengthened awareness and conversion, reinforcing the Gold Coast as a highly desirable choice for international study.
The Student Experience & Wellbeing stream strengthened student belonging, inclusion and success through an expanded calendar of activities delivered at the Gold Coast Student Hub, including cultural celebrations, information sessions, community connection initiatives and wellbeing support programs. A key highlight of the year was the 2025 Mayor’s Student Ambassador Program, where our ambassadors played an inspiring role in motivating fellow students to thrive, build confidence and achieve a positive balance between study, work and lifestyle on the Gold Coast.
Across all streams, the Industry Partnerships team played a central role in strengthening collaboration with schools, English language providers, vocational colleges, universities, accommodation partners and sector stakeholders — helping to build a coordinated, high-impact ecosystem that supports not only students, but also education professionals and institutions.
MAYOR’S STUDENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAM 2026 – APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Applications are now open for the 2026 Mayor’s Student Ambassador Program, a flagship initiative that connects people from across the Gold Coast’s international and domestic education community with city leaders, industry and each other.
The program brings together a diverse group of ambassadors who represent the voice of the Gold Coast’s education sector. Participants take part in leadership development, city and industry engagement, community events and promotional activities that help showcase the Gold Coast as a world-class place to live, study and build a future.
As a Mayor’s Student Ambassador, students will become part of a network that builds cultural connection, promotes the city locally and internationally, and supports the growth of the Gold Coast as a global education and lifestyle destination.
EXPERIENCE GOLD COAST SECTOR INSIGHTS FOR 2026
Through the recent 2025 Education Partner Survey, we gained meaningful insights into the opportunities and priorities that matter most to our sector — and we are committed to acting on them. In 2026, we will continue delivering impact through our four core streams: Careers & Employability, Student Attraction, Student Experience & Wellbeing, and Industry Partnerships.
Through Student Attraction, we will deepen our global presence and increase the international visibility of Gold Coast education, ensuring our destination is clearly positioned as a place where students from around the world can study, work and build their futures. We will strengthen market guidance, expand engagement across emerging regions, and co-create inclusive, co-brandable marketing assets with partners to elevate the Gold Coast on the world stage.
Through Careers & Employability, we will continue strengthening industry-linked pathways — connecting students with employers, meaningful job opportunities and long-term talent outcomes.
Through Student Experience & Wellbeing, the Gold Coast Student Hub will remain a welcoming, vibrant space where students build friendships, connect with industry, share their stories and achieve a healthy study–work–life balance, inspiring others to thrive.
And through Industry Partnerships, we will enhance collaboration, transparency and advocacy — working side-by-side with our sector to ensure the Gold Coast remains a competitive and globally recognised education destination.
Together, we will continue to strengthen our partnerships, elevate the Gold Coast on the global stage, and create meaningful opportunities for students to study, work, live and succeed here.
LATAM EDUCATION INDUSTRY WEBINAR — WHY THE GOLD COAST IS AUSTRALIA’S ULTIMATE STUDY DESTINATION
We are excited to announce that the Experience Gold Coast Education team is kicking off 2026 with a special webinar for the Latin American market. We invite all education agents, institutional partners, stakeholders and international students to join us for our online event: “Why the Gold Coast Is Australia’s Ultimate Study Destination.”
The free webinar will be hosted by Gustavo Cominese and Paula Lopes on 30 January 2026 at 8:00 AM AEST (LATAM evening of 29 January).
This 45-minute session will share the latest insights into the Gold Coast’s growth, education pathways across ELICOS, VET, TAFE, Schools and Higher Education, and the unique lifestyle benefits that make the city the lifestyle capital of the world and a well-recognised destination for international students. We will also highlight the free support services available to agents, schools, students and partners, along with our strong focus on careers and employability.
Attendees will gain practical tools and market insights, followed by a live Q&A session.
SAVE THE DATE — GOLD COAST CAREERS FESTIVAL 2026
We’re excited to announce that the 2026 Gold Coast Careers Festival will be held on 20–21 May, bringing students, jobseekers, and employers together at the Gold Coast Sports & Leisure Centre in Carrara. Across two inspiring days, visitors will have the chance to explore a wide range of career pathways, connect directly with education and training providers, and discover opportunities across the region’s key industries — all under one roof.
Mark your calendar — more details coming soon.
SAVE THE DATE – CAREERS ALLIANCE FIRST SESSION FOR 2026
Our first Careers Alliance event, to be held on 17 March 2026, will spotlight the Screen and Creative Industries sector. The event will offer insights into emerging trends, career opportunities, pathways, and skill requirements across film, TV, animation, digital media, and creative production. Participants will gain valuable perspectives from industry professionals and will explore the possibilities shaping the future of creative careers.
Keep an eye out for a formal invitation which will be circulated once the session times have been confirmed.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE SOON FOR 2026 KICKSTART GRADUATE PROGRAM
Final expressions of interest remain open for Gold Coast students and young professionals preparing to take their next big step. Kickstart is set to begin again on 27 February, and anticipation is already building. The program is a great fit for those looking to build confidence, sharpen their skills and accelerate their career progress.
Endorsed by the City of Gold Coast, Kickstart empowers early-career employees with practical skills, industry awareness, and real-world confidence, helping them thrive while staying fully engaged in their everyday roles.
A BRAND NEW JOBS CLUB IS LAUNCHING SOON
Jobs Club is a new EGC initiative for 2026, offering a series of practical, hands-on workshops delivered from The Student Hub to help students understand the Australian job market and find a job. These sessions will support participants in key areas of job readiness, including:
- Finding job opportunities in Queensland and across Australia
- Understanding employer expectations
- Preparing applications and résumés
- Strengthening interview skills
Students are encouraged to get involved and take advantage of this opportunity to take meaningful steps toward securing employment. For updates and upcoming session details, please follow us on Instagram at @studentexperience.gc, where more information will be shared soon.
GOLD COAST STUDENT HUB STUDENT SWIM CLUB KICKS OFF WITH A BANG
The Gold Coast Student Hub Swim Club has officially reached capacity, reflecting strong demand for this new initiative. With registrations open for just under two weeks in December 2025, we received interest from 32 students during this time, with 20 participants confirmed for the inaugural program. Running across January and February, the program will deliver four classes per week over six weeks, providing beginner-level swimming lessons specifically designed for our adult student community.
Participants represent a diverse range of education providers, including Griffith University, Pacific English, Barrington, TAFE, Greenwich, Canterbury Technical Institute, Southern Cross University, and Kaplan Business School. By developing foundational swimming skills, the Swim Club enables students to more confidently engage with life on the Gold Coast, where our beaches and waterways are a central part of the local lifestyle and community experience.
WHAT’S ON AT THE GOLD COAST STUDENT HUB
We’re kicking off 2026 strong at the Gold Coast Student Hub, with an exciting mix of experiences designed to help students make the most of student life on the Gold Coast.
Our first excursion of the year will take us to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary & Treetop Challenge. Usually valued at $110, this incredible day package is available to students for just $49. The excursion includes entry to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, the Treetop Challenge, return bus transfers to and from the Gold Coast Student Hub, and a $10 café voucher for each student.
We’re helping students set their intentions for the year ahead with a goal setting program. This interactive workshop will help students reflect, set meaningful goals and create their own vision board for the year ahead. All events are open to international and domestic students, but spaces are limited. Students are encouraged to register through the What’s On calendar on the Gold Coast Student Hub website to secure their spot.
PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
IPROGRESS ACADEMY CELEBRATES FIRST INTERNATIONAL INTAKE OF 2026
iProgress Academy is excited to announce its first international intake for the ICT50220 Diploma of Information Technology, commencing in March 2026 at the Southport Central campus. The program provides hands-on, practical training across networking, cyber security, cloud, systems, and web technologies, giving students broad exposure to multiple IT pathways.
A key highlight of the program is the International Work Placement Program, which enables students to gain real workplace experience, build industry connections, and apply their skills in professional IT environments.
Interested students can visit the website for more information or book a campus tour by calling 0488 555 780. Enrolments are now open — secure a place today.
QUICK SNIPPETS
- In 2025, Austrade strengthened Australia’s global education position through its two core pillars — Study in Australia and Study with Australia. Study in Australia continued to showcase the breadth of study options aligned with skills in demand, while raising awareness of scholarships and pathways. Study with Australia expanded the profile of transnational education, supporting providers to grow offshore partnerships and new TNE delivery models. In 2026, Austrade will continue to provide new sector resources, enhanced market insights, and tools designed to help providers strengthen international engagement. Read more.
- The PIE News' year-in-review has recapped the top stories that shaped international education in Australia throughout 2025. It offers valuable insight into how government decisions and provider responses continue to influence Australia’s global education landscape — and what this means for the year ahead. Read more.
- The Australian Department of Education has moved quickly to implement the new education agent commission reporting powers introduced under the Education Legislation Amendment (Integrity and Other Measures) Act 2025. The Department has advised that a request for information will be issued in mid-2026, requiring providers to report commissions paid to education agents between 1 January and 30 June 2026 via PRISMS. Read more.
- The Department of Education has announced changes to Assessment (Evidence) Levels for several South Asian countries, effective 8 January 2026. According to sector analysis, Bangladesh has moved from AL1 to AL3, Sri Lanka from AL1 to AL2, and Bhutan, India and Nepal from AL2 to AL3. The previous update was on 30 September 2025. Read more.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.