TAFE Marine College
TAFE Queensland Great Barrier Reef International Marine College
Cairns Marine Precinct
The Cairns Marine Precinct is a critical enabler of the Far North Queensland economy and is central to building a sustainable, diversified future for the region. A leading maritime maintenance, repair and overhaul destination for vessels nationally and internationally, the precinct is home to a large and diverse marine sector including Defence and Border Force, a world-renowned tourism-reef fleet, commercial fishing, towage and shipping, specialist boat builders and an active cruising yacht squadron, while also playing host to superyachts and cruise liners visiting the region. The precinct also offers education and training pathways with the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College delivering various programs to support the future maritime workforce. As the nation’s northern gateway to the Pacific, the Cairns Marine Precinct, plays a key role in capacity and relationship building across the Pacific.
The TAFE Queensland Great Barrier Reef International Marine College, located within the Cairns Marine Precinct, continues to expand its range of industry-leading marine training capabilities, offering domestic and international students specialised maritime training, including the delivery of Defence’s Pacific Maritime Training Services.
The provision of mandatory training for mariners across commercial and defence vessels, a material maritime skills shortage and the anticipated training required to support Regional Maintenance Centre North East, combine to see the current campus unable to meet growing demand.
In the 2023-24 Queensland Budget, the government committed $16m to deliver an extra 2,675m² for a new workshop, additional classrooms, staff facilities and a boat shed as well as increased training opportunities.
Funding
This project was funded by the Queensland Government. Construction expected to commence in Q1 2024 with completion by mid-2025.
| Queensland Government $16 million |
Benefits to the region
• Increase education and training capacity, including an expansion of education offerings.
• Enable the delivery of credentials which support future defence sustainment demand.
• Increased capacity for training (1,500 students).
• Support up to 37 jobs during construction.
Recommendation
The Queensland Government delivers on its $16m investment to expand the TAFE Queensland Great Barrier Reef International Marine College, with construction to commence at the start of 2024 and completion of the project by mid-2025.
Last updated: February 2025
Advocacy
Images: Courtesy of TAFE Queensland.