TAFE Courses in Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast, in Queensland’s south-east, is, as you would expect, drenched in sunlight, and scattered with some of the world’s best surfing beaches, attracting tourists and students alike to this famed stretch of coast.

In fact, its climate and natural beauty have resulted in a growing tourism industry, which is a good thing for all the students at the TAFE Queensland East Coast, who are currently enrolled in tourism and hospitality courses. TAFE Queensland East Coast is the result of the merging of the former institutes of Sunshine Coast TAFE and Wide Bay Institute of TAFE.

Let’s see what else the Sunshine Coast has to offer TAFE students.

Popular TAFE courses on the Sunshine Coast

• • Diploma of Counselling
  • Certificate in MYOB
  • Certificate III in Education Support (Teacher’s Aide)
  • Certificate III in Aged Care
  • Certificate IV in Bookkeeping
  • Diploma of Share Trading and Investment
  • Certificate II in Nail Technology
  • Certificate IV in Small Business Management
  • Diploma of Events
  • Certificate III in Disability

What TAFE Study Options are Available to me on the Sunshine Coast?

TAFE Queensland’s East Coast Institutes offer all the courses and qualifications you’d expect from one of the biggest TAFE institute in Australia, including diplomas and advanced diplomas, some of which provide pathways to universities. Certificates I-IV, short courses with Statements of Attainment are also much-loved by Sunshine Cost students. Full-time, part-time and school-based apprenticeships and traineeships are also widely available across a great variety of subject fields.

Courses are available on-campus and online, with some blended learning courses available. Work-based training courses can also be arranged.

Semester courses

Many of TAFE’ Queensland East Coast courses are offered on a semester basis; that means you have two opportunities to register per year. But that doesn’t mean you can register for whatever courses you like. Some courses are only available in the first semester and some are only available in the second semester.

Short courses

You can choose from 69 short courses offered through TAFE Queensland’s Sunshine Coast locations. Different courses are available at the different campuses, so again, you’ll have to contact the Institute for exact details on the course you want to take.

Some of the short courses include:

• Barista
• MYOB for Small Business
• Introduction to Adobe InDesign
• Excel Beginners to Advanced
• Learn to Sew
• Creative Classic Hair Design
• Chinese for Beginners
• Beginners Photography
• Script Writing for Film and TV

Online courses

Many of the courses at Sunshine Coast TAFE are available via correspondence or distance learning. More are being added all the time. You can download the program guide to find out which courses are available online and which are only available on-campus.

TAFE Queensland’s East Coast

The institute has a number of campuses, with three of the popular ones below:

1) Mooloolaba Campus

Mooloolaba offers a range of TAFE courses but the most popular are related to the tourism and hospitality industries – probably due to the hordes of tourists who flock to the gorgeous beach and lie around soaking up the relaxed atmosphere. It also boasts a training restaurant and a training hairdressing salon where students can get real-world experience and the public can get great food and style at affordable rates.

2) Nambour Campus

Nambour sprawls across well-maintained gardens and lawns and even manages to include a creek. It offers the full selection of TAFE courses, including Child Care, Community Services, Lifestyle & Leisure, Conservation & Land Management, Horticulture, Construction, Graphic Design, Music, Photography, Interior Design, and Building Design & Technology. It also boasts a professional recording studio and fully-kitted out photographic and drafting studios.

3) Maroochydore Campus

If you’ve always dreamt of studying in picturesque settings, then Maroochydore is where you want to be. It’s right next to a river and minutes from the beach. It specialises in finance, business and beauty-related courses and boasts a training beauty salon for budding therapists to practice their skills.

The full range of courses offered by TAFE Queensland East Coast fall within the following study areas:

• Aged care
• Arts, photography and screen
• Building and construction
• Business and management
• Children’s services
• Community services
• Conservation and horticulture
• Design
• Digital and IT
• Education, training and library services
• Engineering, automotive and maritime
• Fashion
• Fitness and recreation
• Hairdressing and beauty
• Hospitality and cookery
• Justice
• Music and sound production
• Nursing and health services
• Retail
• Tourism and events
• Skills for Education and Employment

Sunshine Coast for Students

Students on the Sunshine Coast have plenty of accommodation options to choose from, including private and shared apartments and houses, rooms to rent, hostels, and homestays. The web provides a wealth of information on what’s available.

The cost of living in the region is not too bad, certainly when compared to other major cities in the country. Remember, however, that it is geared towards tourists, so do all of your shopping and try to get most of your entertainment away from the tourist traps.

There is a reliable bus service, which shuttles between all the major cities on the coast. The cities themselves tend to be bicycle and pedestrian-friendly, although you will find other options, like trains, buses, and taxis. The Sunshine Coast is doing its best to encourage people to get out of their cars and use other modes of transport. TravelSmart is a great resource for anyone who wants to find out how they can get aboard this eco-friendly bandwagon.

Some of the top things to see and do on the Sunshine Coast include:

• Visit Australia Zoo, Steve Erwin’s old stomping ground, which is easily accessible from all over the Sunshine Coast thanks to the zoo’s coach pickup service from seven locations in the region.
• Take a trip to UnderWater World in Mooloolaba, which is considered the biggest tropical oceanariums in the southern hemisphere.
• Shop at Eumundi Market, which is open every Wednesday and Saturday. You’ll find everything from art to tasty homegrown fruit and veg. You can even get a massage. Trains and buses are available from Brisbane and Nambour.
• Explore the Art Gallery Trail, which includes galleries up and down the coast, such as Caloundra Regional Gallery, Noosa Regional Gallery, Butter Factory Arts Centre, Goombuckar Cultural Centre & Art Gallery, and Lasting Impressions Gallery of Fine Arts
• Go hiking and exploring in the Glass House Mountains, Amamoor State Forest, Cooloola, Great Sandy National Park, and Delicia Road Conservation Park.
• Picnic and amble your way through Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bellingham Maze.