4 June 2026
EGC WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL COUNSELLORS FOR THE 2026 EDUCATION FAMILIARISATION PROGRAM
The Gold Coast became an education hub for global collaboration as Experience Gold Coast welcomed 25 international school counsellors and education leaders from 15 countries and regions for the 2026 Education Familiarisation Program.
Over five days, delegates explored the Gold Coast’s world-class education ecosystem through visits to leading institutions including All Saints Anglican School, Griffith University, Bond University, TAFE Queensland, Southern Cross University, BROWNS English Language School, Canterbury Technical Institute, and Barrington College.
Beyond the campuses, delegates experienced the culture and lifestyle that make the Gold Coast a unique study destination — from Blues on Broadbeach and HOTA, Home of the Arts, to unforgettable wildlife experiences at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
A major highlight of the week was the meaningful connections formed between delegates, education providers, and industry partners. The Gold Coast Student Hub became a vibrant space for collaboration, networking, and future opportunities.
Delegates also attended the Gold Coast Careers Festival, gaining valuable insights into employability, career pathways, and the future workforce landscape in Australia.
Experience Gold Coast sincerely thanks all partners, institutions, and delegates who contributed to making the program such a memorable and impactful experience.
EXPERIENCE GOLD COAST’S ICONIC EDUCATION WELCOME DINNER 2026
A highlight of the 2026 Education Famil Program was the iconic Welcome Dinner at SkyPoint Observation Deck, featuring one of the most iconic views of the Gold Coast and welcoming 25 international school counsellors and education leaders from 15 countries and regions.
Hosted with more than 50 education partners, the evening celebrated global connections and the Gold Coast’s world-class education sector. Guests enjoyed sunset skyline views, presentations from Matt Boyd (Experience Gold Coast) and Ben Bawden (Study Queensland), inspiring stories from Mayor’s Student Ambassadors, and vibrant cultural performances including a traditional guzheng performance and Chinese Lion Dance.
The evening was a fantastic opportunity to strengthen partnerships and showcase the lifestyle, diversity, and opportunities that make the Gold Coast a leading study destination.
CONNECT & DISCOVER 2026: INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS AT THE GOLD COAST CAREERS FESTIVAL
Another highlight of the 2026 Education Famil Program was the second edition of the International Counsellors Connect & Discover event, hosted as part of the Gold Coast Careers Festival 2026 at the Gold Coast Sports & Leisure Centre.
This year, the event introduced a new morning tea networking format, creating a more relaxed and engaging environment for international counsellor delegates to connect directly with Gold Coast education providers, industry partners, and Experience Gold Coast’s Student Employability team.
The session explored student pathways, employability initiatives, and workforce connections across the region, while also giving delegates guided access to one of Queensland’s largest and most dynamic career events — the Gold Coast Careers Festival.
The event was a valuable opportunity to strengthen international partnerships, exchange industry insights, and showcase the Gold Coast’s strong focus on student outcomes, employability, and education excellence.
SHAPING FUTURES ON THE GOLD COAST: NATIONAL CAREERS WEEK 2026 INSPIRES THE NEXT GENERATION
Careers Week at the Gold Coast Student Hub was a huge success, with 149 student registrations across a dynamic week of employability and career-focused events.
For the first time, Experience Gold Coast proudly delivered National Careers Week 2026 on the Gold Coast, bringing together students, educators, industry leaders, professional bodies, and partners to help inspire and shape the future workforce.
Across a full week of initiatives hosted at the Gold Coast Student Hub, students explored study and migration pathways, entrepreneurship, professional careers, personal branding, and employability skills. The week also included the Careers Alliance Network event at HOTA, connecting careers practitioners, educators, and industry leaders to discuss collaboration and the future of employability across the region.
It was inspiring to see many students attend multiple sessions throughout the week, demonstrating strong enthusiasm for their future careers and professional growth.
Students had the opportunity to network directly with industry representatives and organisations, including KPMG, Cohort Innovation Space, Kaplan Business School, Greenwich College, CPA Australia, Engineers Australia, Redmond, and the City of Gold Coast, gaining valuable insights into local study and career pathways and opportunities.
A huge thank you to all speakers, partners, organisations, and the Experience Gold Coast team who helped bring this important initiative to life.
CAREERS ALLIANCE #2 – BRINGING CAREERS PRACTITIONERS TOGETHER TO SHARE CHALLENGES AND SHAPE SOLUTIONS
As part of National Careers Week Australia 2026, Experience Gold Coast proudly hosted Careers Alliance #2 at HOTA, Home of the Arts, bringing together careers practitioners, educators, industry leaders, and employability professionals from across the education ecosystem.
The event welcomed representatives from schools, Higher Education, Vocational Education and Training (VET), international education, RTOs, and private practice to explore the future of employability, workforce pathways, and collaboration opportunities across the Gold Coast.
A highlight of the evening was our outstanding expert panel discussion featuring Deborah Munro, Susan Schlinker, Vanessa Rebgetz, and Karen Graham, representing Queensland Academy of Health Sciences (GCHKP), Essential Screen Skills, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), and Trade and Investment Queensland / Study Queensland.
The panel shared valuable insights into industry engagement, employability skills, career readiness, and the importance of creating stronger connections between education and industry to support the future workforce.
This event reinforced the Gold Coast’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students, educators, and industry to connect, collaborate, and shape future career pathways together.
INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION ACTIVATION: CELEBRATING THE SPANISH STUDENT COMMUNITY AT DINGOOS 10TH ANNIVERSARY
As part of Experience Gold Coast’s international education and student experience activations, the team attended the Dingoos 10th Anniversary celebration to connect with education counsellors, industry partners, and community leaders while showcasing key student resources, employability initiatives, and support platforms available for international students on the Gold Coast.
The evening was also a fantastic opportunity to celebrate culture and strengthen international connections across the education sector. With Spain now being the 7th largest international student nationality on the Gold Coast, the event highlighted the importance of community, collaboration, and creating welcoming experiences for students from around the world.
MCCGC - MULTICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT EXPO 2026!
Experience Gold Coast is proud to support the Multicultural Employment Expo 2026 as part of our ongoing Student Employability and Student Experience & Wellbeing initiatives, helping international students, migrants, and diverse communities connect with opportunities across the region.
Through partnerships, events, and community activations like this, we aim to support students and job seekers beyond the classroom — creating pathways to employment, industry connections, confidence-building, and a stronger sense of belonging on the Gold Coast.
The Multicultural Employment Expo is a fantastic opportunity to connect directly with employers, community organisations, and industry leaders while accessing valuable career support and workshops.
- Meet local employers
- Explore job opportunities
- Attend career workshops
- Connect with community and support services
- Build confidence and professional networks
Date: Monday, 22 June 2026
Venue: JW Marriott, Surfers Paradise
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
This event reflects the Gold Coast’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, employability, and creating welcoming opportunities for people from all backgrounds.
Register and Share Now!
GESS EDUCATION WINS AUSTRALIAN SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION AWARD 2026
Congratulations to GeSS Education on being recognised as a Winner at the Australian Small Business Champion Awards 2026 — a well-deserved achievement celebrating the incredible impact the team continues to make across the international education sector.
This recognition reflects the passion, care, and dedication GeSS Education brings to supporting students through every stage of their journey, creating meaningful pathways, opportunities, and positive experiences for the international student community.
Awards like these highlight the important role education providers and agencies play in shaping student success and strengthening Australia’s international education industry.
A huge congratulations to the entire GeSS Education team on this outstanding achievement and continued success.
PREMIER OF QLD'S EXPORTS AWARDS 2026
Returning for its 36th year, the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards continue to recognise the outstanding achievements of Queensland businesses driving success in global markets. Led by Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) in partnership with Austrade and the Australian Export Awards, the program celebrates the innovation, creativity, and determination behind Queensland’s $138.9 billion export industry. Across 14 award categories, the Awards highlight businesses delivering world-class products and services internationally while strengthening Queensland’s global reputation across industries including education, tourism, technology, health, and professional services. The Export Awards are one of Queensland’s most prestigious business accolades, recognising organisations that continue to create jobs, build international partnerships, and contribute to the state’s economic growth. Save the date — the 2026 Awards Dinner will take place on Thursday, 8 October in Brisbane, bringing together industry leaders, exporters, and government representatives to celebrate Queensland’s global success.
QUICK SNIPPETS
- Congratulations to Heidi Piper from Griffith University on being named a finalist for The Charlene Allen Award for Inspirational Leadership at the 2026 PIEoneer Awards. Congratulations also to Griffith University for being recognised as a finalist in the Marketing Campaign of the Year category for its “Make It Matter” global brand campaign, showcasing the university’s innovative and impactful international marketing strategy. A huge congratulations as well to Greenwich College for being recognised as a finalist in the Progressive Education Delivery Award category for its Advanced Diploma of Marketing Automation and Diploma of E-Commerce programs. These recognitions highlight the strength, innovation, and global impact of Queensland’s international education sector on the world stage. Read more here.
- Australia’s next Census will take place on 11 August 2026, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is now recruiting more than 1,600 Community Field Officers across the country. These flexible, temporary roles are designed to support people from diverse backgrounds to safely and confidently complete their Census forms, including international communities, people living with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, individuals experiencing homelessness, youth, and older Australians. The ABS is encouraging community organisations and partners to help share these opportunities and promote participation in the Census. Community Field Officers will provide in-person support, information, and guidance to help ensure everyone is represented. Applications open on 12 May 2026, with more information available at the ABS Census jobs website. Read more here.
VIEW THE 21 MAY 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.