The Sunshine Coast is one of Australia's more iconic destinations and a great place to live or study. With plenty of TAFE options and even more quality providers to choose from, you're bound to find your perfect course.
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Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Melbourne Only) CHC30121
This qualification covers the fundamentals of early childhood development, education and care and is the minimum legal requirement for every child care worker in Australia. Upon completion, you will have the skills, knowledge and experience to plan act...


Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (Melb Only) CHC50121
The Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is a highly sought-after qualification within the early childhood education sector. Upon completion, graduates will have the skills and knowledge to become a lead educator in delivering Early Childhood...


Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (Melb Only) CHC30121
This qualification covers the fundamentals of early childhood development, education and care and is the minimum legal requirement for every childcare worker in Australia. Upon completion, you will have the skills, knowledge and experience to plan acti...


Certificate III in Horticulture AHC30716
The AHC30716 Certificate III in Horticulture is designed to provide you with the tools to set you up for a vibrant career in horticulture. You’ll learn all about plant identification, pest and disease, weeds, propagation, soils and plant nutrition, and...


Certificate IV in Leisure and Health CHC43415
The activities that clients in the aged care, health, and community services sectors take part in can have an extremely positive impact on their daily lives. Get the skills to make a difference. As you progress through the course content, you’ll...


Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care CHC30121
Demand for childcare is on the rise in Australia, with population forecasts estimating there will be 2.2 million children aged under 5 years in Australia by 2031, and 2.6 million by 2051. This population growth is driving increasing demand for early ch...


MYOB Advanced Certificate
Gain an advanced workforce-ready skillset in MYOB. It’s one of the most highly awarded MYOB courses that you could take. The Advanced Certificate in MYOB for accountancy, bookkeeping and administration roles is loaded with specially rated achievements....


Diploma of Social Media Marketing 10904NAT
Our nationally recognised 10904NAT Diploma of Social Media Marketing is designed to equip you with the tools to help you operate successfully in a Marketing or Business role. Learn the skills and confidence to ensure you are ready to implement Social M...


Certificate IV Celebrancy (Zoom Classroom) CHC41015
Are you looking for a career that will give you emotional fulfilment? When you become a marriage celebrant, your work day is to help your clients have the best day of their lives. Over recent years, there has been a staggering shift from traditional ch...


Diploma of Business BSB50120
Business management roles are one of the largest and most varied occupations in Australia. These include general administrative, frontline management, and core business operational roles, which are applicable across a range of industries. In fact, the...


Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication BSB40820
Become a confident communicator by learning how to apply solutions for marketing and communications situations in a variety of business contexts. You will develop a range of specialist marketing skills as well as other broad business skills that will a...


Certificate IV Celebrancy (Online) CHC41015
Are you looking for a career that will give you emotional fulfilment? When you become a marriage celebrant, your work day is to help your clients have the best day of their lives. Over recent years, there has been a staggering shift from traditional ch...


Diploma of Community Services CHC52015
The CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services will teach you how to listen to and understand people’s problems, background and circumstances, and to counsel them on the areas they are struggling with. You will also learn to help clients by setting them up...


Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) CPC40110
Move up the career ladder without attending a classroom with our nationally accredited CPC40110 Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building). You’ll learn safety, contracts, structural principles and materials, estimating, and many more skill...


Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Speech Pathology) HLT43015
Kick start a rewarding career in health and help make a real difference in people’s lives as a Speech Pathology Assistant, with Open Colleges’ HLT43015 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Speech Pathology)....


Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) CHC33021
Get started in a career in aged care and learn the practical skills and knowledge needed to provide individual support to elderly clients. Open Colleges’ online Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) is an entry-level qualification that c...


Diploma of Graphic Design CUA50720
Our nationally recognised CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design is designed to combine the technical, creative and conceptual skills you need to create designs that meet client requirements. You’ll learn the fundamentals of graphic design, and move to the...


Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care CHC30121
This nationally recognised CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care will transform your love of teaching and working with children into a rewarding career. You will learn the skills, knowledge, and experience to support the health...


Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care CHC50121
The nationally recognised CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care is designed to prepare you for a successful career in Childhood education. You will learn how to develop the knowledge and skills to work across a range of early childhood...


Certificate IV in Disability CHC43115
Our nationally accredited CHC43115 Certificate IV in Disability is designed to equip you with the skills to advocate for and empower vulnerable people. You’ll unlock a vast range of different job opportunities and learn how to become an inspiring suppo...


Online Sunshine Coast courses also available
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
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- 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.