24 September 2026
STUDY QUEENSLAND ADAPT TO THRIVE GRANT – APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Queensland international education providers can now apply for funding through the Study Queensland Adapt to Thrive Grant Program 2026-27, supporting projects that build international market diversification, Transnational Education (TNE), offshore partnerships, articulation pathways, study tours, and new revenue opportunities.
Eligible private education providers can apply for up to $20,000 in funding, with matched cash funding required.
The program is designed to help Queensland’s international education sector respond to changing global market conditions, diversify student source markets and build sustainable international partnerships and commercial opportunities.
Eligible applicants include private schools, ELICOS, VET and higher education providers headquartered in Queensland.
Applications close at 1:00pm on 9 October 2026.
Education Partners exploring new international markets, partnerships or delivery models are encouraged to review the guidelines and consider applying.
THE GOLD COAST STUDENT HUB IS BACK
We’re pleased to share that the Gold Coast Student Hub has officially reopened following the completion of repairs after its recent temporary closure.
The Hub is once again open to students, providing a dedicated space to connect, access support, participate in programs and activities, and make the most of their experience on the Gold Coast.
A big thank you to our Education Partners and student community for your patience and support during the closure, and for helping us keep students connected with our services.
We’re excited to have the Hub open again and look forward to seeing students back through the doors!
EGC HOSTED MEAGHAN SHAW, CONSUL GENERAL IN CHENGDU
Experience Gold Coast recently welcomed Meaghan Shaw, Australian Consul-General in Chengdu, to the Gold Coast. Her visit highlighted the strong sister-city relationship between the Gold Coast and Chengdu, particularly across education, culture and international engagement.
As part of her visit, Meaghan joined the Experience Gold Coast team at HOTA, Home of the Arts, for a guided tour of This Moment: Highlights from the White Rabbit Collection of Chinese Contemporary Art. The exhibition offered a fitting opportunity to reflect on the cultural ties between Australia and China.
Through an MoU between Experience Gold Coast and the Chengdu Education Bureau, both cities continue to support student exchanges, professional visits and institutional collaboration. The visit reinforced our shared commitment to strengthening education partnerships and people-to-people connections between the Gold Coast and Chengdu.
CONNECTING WITH OUR GOLD COAST EDUCATION AGENT COMMUNITY
Experience Gold Coast was pleased to connect with local education agents at the recent AIECA Agent Briefing on the Gold Coast.
While we continue to advocate for international education across all levels of government, some of the most valuable conversations happen right here within our own community.
International students contribute far beyond their economic impact. They enrich our workplaces, businesses, culture and diversity, while building lifelong connections with the Gold Coast.
Thank you to Robert Parsonson and AIECA for continuing to lead these important conversations, Australian Pacific College for supporting the event, and all the local education agents who joined us and shared their perspectives.
We look forward to continuing to support events, advocacy and collaboration that strengthen the Gold Coast’s international education community and reinforce our city as a leading global study destination.
LET’S CONNECT AND COLLABORATE
Let’s talk about your priorities
Our Education Partnerships team is available to meet with Education Partners to discuss your priorities, upcoming activity and opportunities to work more closely with Experience Gold Coast.
Whether you are planning an event, looking to strengthen industry connections, seeking support to engage students, or wanting to share insight from your organisation, we would welcome the conversation.
A catch-up is also a useful opportunity for us to better understand your current needs and identify practical ways we can support your organisation and the broader Gold Coast education community.
Book a time with our Education Partnerships team.
EXPERIENCE BOND UNIVERSITY YOUR WAY
Bond University’s Personal Open Day runs from 17 September to 3 October 2026, offering prospective students a personalised way to explore the university.
Visitors can build an itinerary around their interests, meet academics and current students, explore the campus and facilities, and take part in tailored tours and consultations.
It is a valuable opportunity for future students to learn more about studying at Bond and living on the Gold Coast.
GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES NEW VICE CHANCELLOR
We’re delighted to congratulate Professor Jessica Vanderlelie on her appointment as the sixth Vice Chancellor and President of Griffith University.
Professor Vanderlelie will be the first Griffith graduate to lead the University, bringing her journey as a student, academic and university leader full circle. A Gold Coast local, she completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Griffith and began her academic career teaching biochemistry at the Gold Coast campus.
Professor Vanderlelie will commence as Vice Chancellor and President on 16 November 2026, bringing extensive university leadership experience and a strong commitment to student success.
We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Griffith University and working with Professor Vanderlelie as she takes on this important new role.
ANOTHER SOLD-OUT WHALE WATCHING CRUISE
Our September Whale Watching Cruise was another sell-out, giving students the opportunity to experience one of the Gold Coast’s most iconic natural attractions while connecting with fellow students and discovering more of their study destination.
“Being able to see whales up close so many times was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and has become one of the best memories of my life. It is definitely the highlight of my time here in Australia. Thank you so much for providing such a wonderful opportunity!”
— Student participant
Feedback like this highlights the value of experiences that go beyond the classroom. These activities help students build connections, create lasting memories and experience the Gold Coast lifestyle, strengthening their sense of belonging to our city.
GOLD COAST STUDENTS TAKE THE STAGE IN CHENGDU
Students from Emmanuel College Gold Coast recently represented our city at the 2026 Chengdu International Sister Cities Youth Music Festival in China.
Over seven days, the students joined young performers from sister cities around the world, sharing their talents, experiencing different cultures and building new international connections through music.
As part of the Gold Coast–Chengdu sister city relationship, the festival provided a valuable opportunity to showcase the creativity and talent of our young people while strengthening the educational and cultural connections between our cities.
Congratulations to the Emmanuel College students and staff for representing the Gold Coast with pride and building new international friendships through music.
MIGRATION CHANGES: WHAT EDUCATION PARTNERS NEED TO KNOW
The Federal Government has announced changes to Australia’s temporary migration settings that will affect Working Holiday Makers and international students.
Key changes include new restrictions on international students bringing partners or dependent children to Australia, with some exemptions including students from ASEAN and Pacific countries and those undertaking PhD programs. Students seeking to extend their stay will also generally need to progress to a higher qualification level, rather than moving to a course at the same or lower level.
The changes come as Australia’s international education sector continues to navigate broader policy and market pressures. While the Government has not announced changes to international student intake numbers as part of these reforms, the potential implications for student demand, Australia’s competitiveness as a study destination and the wider visitor economy warrant close attention.
Experience Gold Coast is continuing to monitor the implementation details, including commencement and transitional arrangements, and will advocate for policy settings that support a sustainable international education sector and Gold Coast economy.
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
FOUR IN A ROW FOR INFORUM EDUCATION
Congratulations to Inforum Education, named ST Star English Language School – Southern Hemisphere at the 2026 StudyTravel Star Awards — for the fourth consecutive year.
Based on the Gold Coast since 2007, Inforum has welcomed students from around the world, helping them improve their English while experiencing the lifestyle, culture and opportunities our city has to offer.
Four consecutive wins are an outstanding recognition of the dedication of Inforum’s teachers and team, the experiences they create for their students, and the strong relationships they have built with education partners around the world.
We’re proud to have Inforum as part of our Gold Coast education community and to celebrate another international achievement for one of our Education Partners.
Congratulations to the entire Inforum Education team!
QUICK SNIPPETS
- Developed by Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG), Collaborizer is a partnership intelligence platform helping universities identify and assess international collaboration opportunities through evidence-based insights. By analysing institutional strengths, research activity and strategic priorities, the platform helps uncover potential partners, research connections and TNE opportunities. Through its University Partner Scan and Market Scan, universities can assess individual institutions or explore partnership potential across entire international markets. Read more.
- The latest QILT Student Experience Survey shows continued positive trends across Australia’s higher-education sector. Postgraduate coursework students recorded a 77.8% positive rating for the overall quality of their educational experience - the highest result since the pandemic and above pre-pandemic levels for the fourth consecutive year. Undergraduate ratings remained stable at 76.5%, a substantial recovery from 68.7% in 2020, although they have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. Read more.
- The Australian Government has taken action to prevent new international student enrolments in the Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) (BSB80120), following evidence of high rates of visa refusal and course non-completion, as well as concerns around the use of the course for onshore transfers by non-genuine students. The decision is the first use of the Government’s new course cancellation powers, introduced as part of broader reforms to strengthen the quality and integrity of Australia’s international education sector. Read more.
VIEW THE 10 SEPTEMBER EDUCATION UPDATE
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.