26 June 2025
GOLD COAST STUDENT GRANTS - ROUND ONE WRAP-UP
Round one of the Gold Coast Student Grants has officially wrapped up, and the outcomes have been a fantastic reflection of the region’s strength in attracting and supporting international students.
The program attracted students from 49 countries, with Canada, China, South Korea, US and India leading the way. Encouragingly, 70% of recipients are enrolled in Higher Education and we were pleased to also approve applications from all other sectors including ELICOS, VET and the school sector. The most popular field of study was Health (32%), followed by English, Business, and Engineering.
One Griffith student shared: “The support from the Gold Coast Student Grant has made such a difference in my transition. It made me feel valued and welcomed from the very start.”
This campaign has been a resounding success and we would like to thank our education partners and agents for the wonderful support with marketing and promotion.
At the moment, the campaign is on pause; however, we have prepared a proposal to extend it and will inform our partners of the outcome in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we kindly ask our partners to pause the promotion, and we will share any updates as soon as they become available.
EGC INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP RENEWALS
We sincerely thank our Industry Partners for their support over the past year and for their continued commitment to the Gold Coast’s Education sector. Your contribution has been instrumental in enhancing the city’s reputation as a leading destination for domestic and international education.
In line with Experience Gold Coast's strategic direction for the upcoming financial year, we have introduced enhancements to our Industry Partnership levels. These updates are detailed in the newly released 2025/2026 Industry Partnership Prospectus. The revisions are designed to:
- Foster Deeper Engagement: Encourage more meaningful interactions with our broader activities and strategic priorities.
- Unlock Cross-Sector Opportunities: Facilitate collaborations that drive innovation and growth across various sectors.
- Enhance Collective Impact: Ensure our partners are optimally positioned to benefit from EGC's initiatives across the city.
We are privileged to have you as a partner and look forward to our continued collaboration into FY26 and beyond.
Partnership renewal invoices have been distributed within the past week. If you have any questions or have not yet received your invoice, please reach out to our team at industrypartnerships@experiencegoldcoast.com.
EOIS NOW OPEN – EXPERIENCE GOLD COAST EDUCATION INTERSTATE ROADSHOW 2025
We’re excited to announce that Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are now open for the Experience Gold Coast Education Interstate Roadshow 2025! This year, we’ll be visiting:
- Sydney – 26 August
- Melbourne – 27 August
- Perth – 28 August
With up to 40% of international students on the Gold Coast recruited from onshore, this roadshow is a key opportunity to connect directly with local education agents, build new relationships, and showcase the Gold Coast as a leading destination for international study.
Participation is complimentary and exclusive to EGC education members, with a limit of two representatives per institution per city. Please note that travel and accommodation costs are the responsibility of participants.
This is a fantastic chance to amplify your reach and be part of a coordinated effort to promote our region’s education strengths to key influencers in the student recruitment space.
Register your interest by 11 July 2025 via the link below.
Got questions? Reach out to us at education@experiencegoldcoast.com – we’d love to see you on the road!
CAREERS ALLIANCE WORLD SKILLS EXCURSION
Our Career Alliance took our connection to the next level with a special excursion to the WorldSkills Australia National Championships in Brisbane. It was an inspiring day filled with energy, innovation, and talent. We witnessed firsthand the incredible skills of young Australians competing across a range of trades and industries - from construction and hospitality to digital media and engineering.
The Career Alliance is a vibrant network of professionals dedicated to guiding the next generation through career education, youth employment, and support services. We gather quarterly to connect, collaborate, and grow together through sector updates and professional development.
The event provided a unique opportunity to explore hands-on career pathways and connect directly with industry representatives, giving our members deeper insight into current and emerging workforce trends. Robyn Fraser of TAFE QLD offered valuable perspectives on vocational training and its evolving role in shaping future careers.
It was a pleasure to reconnect with our regular members and warmly welcome new faces to the group. Thank you to everyone who joined us. Your enthusiasm and shared commitment to supporting young people made the day a true success.
FROM SCHOOL TO THE NATIONAL STAGE: FAYTH’S CULINARY JOURNEY
Fayth Johnson, a talented high school student from Ormeau Woods State High School, is turning up the heat in the culinary world. After impressing judges at the regional heats, Fayth has secured her spot at the WorldSkills Australia National Championships, showcasing her exceptional skills and passion for cooking.
Her journey began with a Certificate II in Commercial Cookery through TAFE Queensland, where she trained under the guidance of expert chef-trainers and honed her craft in a real-world commercial kitchen. This hands-on experience built her technical abilities and gave her the confidence to compete at a national level.
As Australia’s hospitality industry continues to recover and evolve, the demand for skilled, passionate professionals like Fayth is growing. Her story is a powerful reminder of how vocational education and training (VET) can open doors to meaningful and rewarding careers.
Opportunities like WorldSkills and pathways through TAFE QLD are not just shaping the future of young people, they’re fuelling the future of our industries. We’re proud to see students like Fayth rise to the challenge and represent the next generation of culinary talent.
MAYOR’S STUDENT AMBASSADORS CHEER ON THE SUNS AT PEOPLE FIRST STADIUM
Our Mayor’s Student Ambassadors (MSAs) recently enjoyed a fun day out at People First Stadium, supporting the Gold Coast Suns during a thrilling AFL match.
For many MSAs, it was their very first time watching Australian Football - and they loved it! From cheering along, to learning the rules and enjoying the lively atmosphere, it was a great way to experience a much-loved Aussie tradition.
We were honoured to be joined by special guests: Joe Wilkinson, Councillor for Division 7, City of Gold Coast; and Tim Baker CEO of City of Gold Coast. A big thank you to both for spending time with our ambassadors and making the day even more special.
This experience wasn’t just about sport - it was about connecting, sharing culture, and having fun together. Events like this bring our student community closer and give them the chance to explore life on the Gold Coast in a truly memorable way.
STUDENT AMBASSADORS COOK WITH PURPOSE AT OZHARVEST GOLD COAST
The Mayor’s Student Ambassadors (MSAs) traded books for aprons earlier this month and joined OzHarvest - Australia’s leading food rescue organisation - for an inspiring two-day experience in the kitchen.
This was no ordinary cooking class. Under the guidance of OzHarvest’s skilled chefs, the Ambassadors learned zero-waste cooking techniques, transforming rescued food into delicious meals for people in need. The focus wasn’t just on food - it was on purpose, teamwork, and giving back.
Throughout the two days, MSAs worked side by side to prepare hundreds of nutritious meals, gaining a deeper understanding of food sustainability and the power of community service. The experience brought the group closer, highlighting how small actions, like reducing food waste, can have a big impact.
By supporting OzHarvest’s mission to halve food waste by 2030, the MSAs lived out their values of leadership and social responsibility. It was a powerful reminder that with creativity and compassion, we can make a real difference, one rescued ingredient and one meal at a time.
CAREER CONVERSATIONS AT BENOWA CAREER FAIR
At this time of year, our School Outreach Team is on the move - visiting schools across the region to support career conversations and inspire future pathways.
One standout event was the Benowa Career Fair, a shining example of collaboration between school staff and students. The event created a vibrant and welcoming environment, not just for students, but also for their parents, carers, and even younger siblings.
By opening the doors to families, Benowa highlighted an important message: career conversations can start at any age, and support from home plays a vital role in a young person’s journey.
The fair featured a wide range of study and career options, helping attendees explore opportunities, ask questions, and gather useful resources.
Events like this help create confident, informed students - and engaged, supportive families. A big thanks to Benowa State High School for leading the way in future-focused education!
CELEBRATION OF WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY AT THE STUDENT HUB
In celebration of World Environment Day on 5 June, students gathered at the Gold Coast Student Hub for a fun and meaningful upcycling activity focused on sustainability.
The hands-on event invited students to transform everyday items into colourful and creative planter pots, ready to grow herbs or flowers of their choice. From old tins to used containers, each student gave new life to discarded materials - proving that sustainability can be both practical and fun.
The activity sparked conversations about waste reduction, environmental responsibility, and the importance of making small, everyday changes that contribute to a healthier planet.
By turning waste into something beautiful and useful, students were reminded that even the simplest actions - like reusing an item or growing a plant - can have a lasting impact. It was a great way to learn, connect, and celebrate caring for our environment together.
INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES
UNSERIOUS CAREERS ROADSHOW COMES TO THE GOLD COAST
Have career conversations become too serious? How can we guide young people in their career journeys while staying engaging and relevant?
Alana Kilmartin, author of Unserious Careers, is bringing her refreshing approach to these big questions through the Unserious Careers Roadshow, landing on the Gold Coast from 11 August to 15 August.
This fun, honest, and down-to-earth roadshow is designed to help young people explore their options without the pressure or confusion that often surrounds career planning.
To apply for a spot in the roadshow, visit unseriouscareers.com and fill out the form. Don’t forget to mention Experience Gold Coast to receive a free copy of Alana’s book! For questions, Alana is happy to chat directly via hey@unseriouscareers.com.
VIEW THE 12 JUNE 2025 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.