STUDY and STAY on AUSTRALIA'S BEAUTIFUL GOLD COAST

A Mecca for Tourists and Students from all over the World....

Located on the coast of South East Queensland, and aptly named the tourist capital of Australia, this is one of the most sought after destinations for both Australians and international visitors alike. With it's sprawling stretch of magnificent white sandy beaches and rolling surf, against a backdrop of beautiful sub-tropical, mountainous rainforests, this city is rich with leisure and cultural attractions as well as world class facilities for education and training. Blessed with year round sunshine, it has a very temperate climate, never "too hot" or "too cold". "Beautiful one day, perfect the next", and it rains mostly at night, of course!

The climate is suited to many outdoor activities including swimming, scuba diving, golf, tennis, hockey, cricket,soccer, baseball, beach volleyball and of course, surfing. 
In our tranquil and beautiful valleys, just twenty minutes drive from the heart of Surfers Paradise, one can go horse riding, play polo, whitewater rafting, or just enjoy bushwalking along the many paths through the rainforests.

There are many multicultural clubs and restaurants, and night clubs with a warm friendly atmosphere, and shopping, with prices generally lower than most other cities in Australia. Public transport is good with buses and trains connecting the Gold Coast with Brisbane, the state's capital, in just one hour.

The Gold Coast is the first choice of study for many Australians as well as international students, and is well known for being a safe multicultural region.

The Gold Coast is known for excellence in academic, sporting and cultural programs, featuring over 400 providers with both government and independent schools, and study programs available from school level through to tertiary levels. In particular there are many ELICOS (English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students) colleges offering courses to prepare students for entry to TAFE and university and other academic purposes.

The Gold Coast has four universities, including Bond University which is Australia's only privately funded independent university, Central Queensland University, the Gold Coast campus in Southport, Griffith University and Southern Cross University, in addition to affiliated colleges offering world class research and learning opportunities.

Working on the Gold Coast

Students on student visas may work up to 20 hours per week while studying in Australia and 40 hours per week during semester breaks. There is a large variety of work available on the Gold Coast for these students.

Applications for student visas should be lodged after enrolling in a Gold Cost educational institution. Application forms and information can be obtained from your Australian Embassy or High Commission. The type of visa required will depend on your length of stay and program of study.

There are many short term courses available which can provide students with skills in various professions such as Travel and Tourism, Hospitality, Beauty Therapy, Art classes, Natural Therapies, and Film and Television Make-Up Artists. The Gold Coast has an excellent, well established film and television make-up school. StarFX Professional Make-Up & Nail Centre whose students have worked on well known movies such as Lord of the Rings, The Matrix and the Last Samurai, to name just a few. For more on this school visit www.starfx.com.au

There are also leisure and culture courses including surfing and water safety, with the Gold Coast home to one of the most respected and best known surf schools in Australia, Godfathers of the Ocean Surf School, www.godfathersoftheocean.com All these courses and more, may be combined with English Language courses in any of the various colleges, schools and universities.

Study Tours

Study tours can be organised to suit individuals and groups, these may include visits to local educational institutions, water tours on the beautiful Broadwater, horse riding and visits to thorough-breed horse stables in the lush valleys of the Hinterland, or trips to any of the theme parks such as Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World, Dream World, or get very wet on a hot day at Wet and Wild Water Park. Study tours may be arranged through , The Southern Cross Connection, Gold Coast.

Accommodation

There is a large range of accommodation available including many inner-city apartments and motels, houses and units in the suburbs. On campus accommodation is also available and home-stays with friendly local families if required. This is an excellent way to experience the Australian way of life and improve your language skills. This can be arranged through Study Gold Coast, www.studygoldcoast.org.au 

Study Gold Coast is the peak body for education, supported by the Gold Coast City Council, The Queensland Department of State Development, and the Department of Transport and Regional Services. <Gold Coast Press Release