27 August 2026
HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM STUDENT JOB RECRUITMENT EVENT
More than 300 students connected directly with some of the Gold Coast’s leading hospitality, tourism and entertainment employers at our recent Student Jobs Recruitment Event at HOTA, Home of the Arts.
Designed in a fast-paced, speed-meeting format, the event gave students the opportunity to meet employers face-to-face, exchange résumés and interview for casual, part-time and full-time roles — all in one place.
The event brought together 20 leading Gold Coast employers, including Travel + Leisure Co., Andaz Gold Coast, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, The Star Entertainment Group, Mondrian Gold Coast, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, HOTA, Paradise Resort Gold Coast, Accor, Minor Hotels, Burleigh Pavilion Group and many more.
For students, it was an opportunity to turn a conversation into a potential job and gain valuable experience connecting directly with industry. For employers, it provided access to the next generation of talent who will help support the Gold Coast’s growing visitor economy.
With students progressing into employment opportunities, the event demonstrated the value of bringing education and industry together to create genuine career pathways.
A huge thank you to all the students, education partners and employers who helped make the event such a success.
THE GOLD COAST STUDENT HUB IS TEMPORARY CLOSED
Due to unforeseen circumstances nearby, the Gold Coast Student Hub is temporarily closed while water damage repairs are undertaken.
Here’s what you need to know:
The Student Hub is currently closed
We’re working to get the Hub back open as soon as possible. We don’t have a reopening date yet, but we’ll keep you updated.
Support sessions are moving online
Support sessions will continue online and remain bookable. If you have an in-person support session booked over the next few weeks, we’ll contact you to move your session online.
Some upcoming Hub events are cancelled
Events scheduled at the Hub over the next two weeks have been cancelled, including English Language Conversation on Wednesday 26 August and Social Lunch on Thursday 27 August.
Whale Watching is still going ahead
If you’re booked for Whale Watching, this event will proceed as planned.
Need help in the meantime?
You can reach us at info@goldcoaststudenthub.com.
We know the Gold Coast Student Hub is a valued space for our students. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we work to get things back up and running.
LATEST GOLD COAST REGIONAL FACTSHEET
Each year, Study Queensland commissions a suite of Regional Factsheets, prepared by Deloitte Access Economics, providing a comprehensive overview of the economic and social impact of the International Education and Training sector across Queensland.
The latest Gold Coast Regional Factsheet is now available, providing valuable data and insights into the scale and contribution of international education to our region, including its broader economic and social impact.
The factsheet is a useful resource for education providers, agents and industry partners to better understand the value of international education to the Gold Coast and support conversations about the sector’s ongoing contribution to our region.
CAREERS ALLIANCE: STUDENTS WITH ALTITUDE DAY
Our Careers Alliance Network event was held as part of Students with Altitude Day at the Pacific Airshow® Gold Coast, bringing together representatives from our partner institutions for a hands-on industry and career experience.
Our partners had the opportunity to explore the NXTGN STEM Lab, engage with interactive STEM experiences and learn more about education and career pathways across aviation, aerospace, engineering, defence and advanced manufacturing.
A highlight of the day was an address from 2026 Australian of the Year and astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who shared her remarkable career journey and insights into how curiosity, resilience and STEM skills can open the door to extraordinary opportunities.
The event provided an opportunity to bring our Careers Alliance Network together in a different setting, strengthen connections across our education community and showcase emerging industries and career pathways that partners can take back to their students across the Gold Coast.
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE OF WORK
Dr Samantha Kilmartin, Careers & Employability Manager at Experience Gold Coast, recently joined educators and school leaders from across the Gold Coast at the GCSPA Leadership Masterclass Breakfast.
Samantha shared insights into employability, workforce readiness and the changing world of work, highlighting the important role education and industry can play in preparing young people for future career opportunities.
Alongside Madeline Panther from BOP Industries, the session sparked valuable conversations about how we can better connect young people with the skills, industries and opportunities shaping the Gold Coast’s future workforce.
Through initiatives like this, Experience Gold Coast continues to strengthen connections between education and industry, supporting our local education community and helping prepare young people for the workforce of the future.
WHALE WATCHING CRUISE AT THE HUB
What a magical day on the Gold Coast!
International students recently had the opportunity to experience one of the destination’s most memorable seasonal activities with a whale watching excursion aboard Sea World Cruises.
With humpback whales putting on an incredible show against the backdrop of the Gold Coast skyline, the experience gave students another opportunity to explore the destination, connect with others and create lasting memories outside the classroom.
Whale season runs until late October, making this one of the must-do experiences for students living and studying on the Gold Coast.
MAYOR’S STUDENT AMBASSADORS TAKE TO THE SKIES
Not your average week for our Mayor’s Student Ambassadors!
As part of the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast, our Ambassadors had the incredible opportunity to go behind the scenes and experience one of the Gold Coast’s major events up close.
From getting inside aircraft and exploring cockpits during Media Day to joining a behind-the-scenes tour before the gates opened, the Ambassadors experienced aviation from a completely different perspective. They also had a front-row view of practice runs taking place over the iconic Surfers Paradise coastline.
Experiences like these are what being a Mayor’s Student Ambassador is all about — connecting students with the destination, our community and the unique events and experiences that make studying and living on the Gold Coast so special.
A memorable Gold Coast experience for our 2026 Mayor’s Student Ambassadors!
PARTNER STORY
PRINCE TAKAMADO SPEECH CONTEST WINNER ARRIVES
Australian International Student Tours (AIST) and Hillcrest Christian College (HCC) welcome Emie to the Gold Coast! Emie was the winner of the Australia Prize at the 2026 Prince Takamado Speech Contest. The speech contest is open to all Junior High school students across Japan. AIST, HCC and Qantas in conjunction with the Australian Embassy in Japan donated the prize of two weeks tuition, homestay, airport transfers and flights to the winner of the Australia prize. Emie is loving her time here on the Gold Coast and we are all so happy to be able to support this competition.
CONNECTING WITH LOCAL EDUCATION AGENTS
A big thank you to Australian Pacific College (APC) for inviting our EGC team to share more about the work Experience Gold Coast does to support the international education sector and promote the Gold Coast as a world-class study destination.
Connecting directly with local education agents and consultants is an important part of our agent engagement. These conversations help ensure agents are better informed, more connected to the destination and equipped with the latest information, experiences and opportunities to support students considering the Gold Coast.
It was a great opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the local agent community and continue building a network of destination-informed education consultants who can confidently showcase everything the Gold Coast has to offer prospective students.
CELEBRATING KUBE COLLEGE’S NEW CAMPUS
Experience Gold Coast was delighted to be invited to the launch of Kube College’s new campus and to connect with education agents, industry representatives and education partners.
It was a great opportunity to share more about the work Experience Gold Coast does across student attraction, careers and employability, and student experience, and how we work with our education partners to strengthen the Gold Coast’s international education sector.
Congratulations to Pedro Giesel and the entire Kube College team on the launch of the new campus in Surfers Paradise and this exciting new chapter. We look forward to seeing the College continue to grow and contribute to the Gold Coast education community.
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
CELEBRATING LANGPORTS
Congratulations to our education partner Langports on being recognised at the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards, winning the July Award in the Education, Training and Employment category!
This fantastic achievement recognises Langports’ commitment to delivering quality education and exceptional student experiences, as well as the dedication of their team and their contribution to the Gold Coast’s international education community.
Langports has also been shortlisted for the Annual Award, which will be announced at the Gala Awards Dinner in November.
We’re proud to celebrate the achievements of our education partners and the important role they play in strengthening the Gold Coast’s reputation as a leading study destination.
Congratulations to the entire Langports team, and best of luck for November!
GOLD COAST WELCOMES YOU
Education professionals are encouraged to complete the free Queensland Welcomes You online training to strengthen their Gold Coast destination knowledge and better understand the experiences, attractions and local stories they can share with international students, their families and visiting friends.
The 1.5–2 hour online program covers world-class hosting, accessibility and inclusion, storytelling, regional knowledge, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, sustainability and local tourism experiences. Participants receive a certificate of completion.
Education professionals can then build on this knowledge by attending the upcoming Gold Coast Welcomes You Workshop, hosted by QTIC and Experience Gold Coast:
Tuesday 1 September 2026
Session 1: 10am–12pm
Session 2: 1pm–3pm
Panorama Room, HOTA Home of the Arts
Dress code: Business casual
RSVP by Thursday 27 August 2026
Supported by the Queensland Government and Tourism and Events Queensland.
QUICK SNIPPETS
COST PRESSURES RESHAPE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CHOICES
The 2026 Navitas Agent Perception Survey shows international students are becoming increasingly cost-conscious and strategic when choosing where to study. Affordability is now the leading factor influencing destination choice, while post-study work rights, education quality, safety, employment opportunities and visa certainty remain important. Students are also comparing more destinations and keeping options in their home countries as a backup. Australia remains highly competitive, particularly for work and post-study opportunities, but affordability and visa processing continue to present challenges. Read more.
JASON CLARE DEFENDS AUSTRALIA’S INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION SECTOR
Education Minister Jason Clare has rejected claims that Australia’s international education sector is a “farce”, while acknowledging the need to strengthen integrity and address poor-quality providers. Clare said international student commencements remain around 13% below pre-pandemic levels and defended the 2026 National Planning Level of 295,000, noting that student planning numbers and net overseas migration measure different things. He also highlighted recent reforms targeting provider and agent practices, the higher student visa application fee and the contribution international students make to Australian universities, research and higher education. Read more.
VIEW THE 13 AUGUST 2026 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.