Why should you up sticks and move to Brisbane to complete your higher education? Or, why should you stay if you’re in Brisbane? Well, Brisbane is one of the biggest and most popular cities in Australia. It’s got a stable economy and good employment opportunities for qualified students. The Brisbane TAFE institutes themselves have good reputations for quality courses, both locally and internationally. Like a handful of other Australian cities, it’s been rated a global city (vitally important in the global economy) and has been rated one of the most livable cities in the world.
What else does Brisbane offer TAFE students? Let’s find out.
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Popular TAFE Courses in Brisbane
- Diploma of Counselling
- Certificate in MYOB 19
- 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
Find more TAFE courses in Brisbane here.
What TAFE study options are available to me in Brisbane?
Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) opportunities abound in Brisbane. It starts with VET in Schools (VETiS) and pre-apprenticeships and works up to TAFE advanced diplomas and pathways to bachelor degrees.
It doesn’t matter what career you’re interested in you, or what hobby you want to learn, the variety of courses available in Brisbane covers every study field imaginable, from interior design to welding.
Semester courses
Semester courses are available online and on-campus. Application and registration dates may vary from institute to institute so you will have to keep an eye on the websites and make a note of relevant dates. One of the important things to remember about semester courses is that they follow inflexible schedules, so if you miss the registration date, you’ll set your studies back by six months to a year.
Short courses
TAFE short courses in Brisbane serve many different purposes. For example, you could take a six-week course on baking purely because you enjoy it. Or you could use the same six-week course as a basis to start your own catering company, or as a pathway to a more in-depth certificate course in catering and hospitality.
Some accredited short courses also meet continuing professional development requirements, so you can advance your knowledge at the same time as advancing your career.
Correspondence courses
Unless you intend studying full-time straight out of school, chances are that you won’t have time to physically attend all of your classes. Fortunately, modern educational environments are well aware of this and offer the majority of their courses on an online or correspondence basis.
It’s important to note that some courses aren’t particularly well-suited to a purely online format. Some TAFE institutes in Brisbane make allowances for this by offering hybrid courses. That is, courses with online and practical requirements, like practical weekends. You will have to make allowances for this when planning your studies around your work and family life.
Brisbane TAFE Institutions
Brisbane North Institute of TAFE
Brisbane North Institute of TAFE (BNIT) offers online and classroom-based TAFE and VET courses to domestic and international students. Some of the most popular TAFE courses at Brisbane North Institute include Diploma of Visual Art, Diploma of Business and Commerce Studies, Certificate III in Community Services Work, Certificate III in Fitness, Diploma of IT, and Certificate III in Travel.
BNIT provides students with TAFE pathways to several universities in Australia, including University of Southern Queensland, the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Central Queensland (CQ) University, Griffith University, Flinders University, RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology), and the University of Tasmania (UTAS).
Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE
Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE (MSIT) offers over 150 courses to students in south Brisbane. Study areas include Business, Fashion, Health & Community Services, Creative Industries, Hairdressing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Children’s Services, Information Technology, General Education, Horticulture & Environment, and English Language & Literacy.
Several of MSIT’s TAFE courses provide pathways to university. University partners include Holmesglen, University of Canberra, and the University of Southern Queensland.
SkillsTech Australia
SkillsTech Australia specialises in TAFE courses for essential trades. TAFE courses available at its campuses around Brisbane include Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade (Boilermaker/Welding), Certificate III in Automotive Specialist (Engine Reconditioning), Certificate III in Plumbing, Advanced Diploma of Electronics and Communications Engineering, Certificate IV in Water Operations, and Certificate II in Underground Coal Mining.
Bremer Institute of TAFE
Bremer Institute of TAFE covers southwest and west Brisbane with over 250 nationally accredited courses and apprenticeships. Some of the most popular courses available at the Brisbane campuses include Photography for Beginners – Digital Cameras, Diploma of Beauty Therapy, First Aid, and Diploma of Management.
Southbank Institute of Technology
Southbank Institute of Technology (SBIT) has been seeing to the educational needs of students in and around Brisbane for over 150 years. It’s range of TAFE courses are varied enough to cover just about every career imaginable, from graphic design and floristry to fitness courses for anyone interested in personal training in Brisbane.
Wide Bay Institute of TAFE
Wide Bay Institute of TAFE has a specialist security training facility offering courses at its Brisbane Hillcrest Campus. Facilities at the centre include a state-of-the-art indoor firing range and dedicated training area for defensive tactics and scenario training. Security-related courses include Certificate III in Investigative Services, Certificate II in Security Operations, Edged Weapons, Crowd Controller, and Advanced Bodyguard Course.
Brisbane for Students
Rest assured that when it’s time to put away your books and take a well-deserved study break, Brisbane has plenty of things to see and do to keep you entertained, whether your interests lie in sports, culture, shopping, or cuisine. From a student’s perspective, Brisbane is one of the most accommodating cities in the world. Public transport is reliable, entertainment is affordable, and the climate and landscape are conducive to a range of outdoor activities.
Government Funding
TAFE institutes in Brisbane offer students a number of different state funding options. Visit our Guide to TAFE courses in Queensland to find out more about which programs best suit you.