Education
An investment in knowledge
The Sunshine Coast has a full range of high quality education and training facilities.
- 80 private and public schools
- The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC)
- TAFE Queensland
- >400 registered training organisations and English language colleges
An impressive $300 million in education infrastructure investment is underway or completed and is expected to provide a major boost to the region’s educational offering.
A continued investment in talent and skills is preparing our workforce with the knowledge and experience they need to compete in a global marketplace.
More schools for growing south
The Sunshine Coast boasts some of Queensland’s best schools. It is a tech-savvy region with a reputation for innovation and leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
- The relatively new Baringa State Primary School (opened in 2018) was celebrated as Queensland’s first STEM School of Excellence and its senior school Baringa State Secondary College opened in 2021.
- Both schools are located in the master-planned Aura community, alongside another new school, Nirimba Primary School, which opened in 2022.
- The secondary college is a “fully iPad school, with curriculum delivered by an app and textbooks downloaded”.
- A fourth new school is in planning for Aura. Notre Dame College will be a Catholic college, eventually catering for up to 1900 students from Prep to Year 12.
- Two new schools have opened in another burgeoning southern suburb, Palmview. Palmview State Primary School and Palmview State Special School opened in 2021 and Palmview State Secondary College opened in 2023.
Queensland Government school catchment areas
Find your local school using EdMap – the interactive map of Queensland school catchments.
98%
Year 12 school leavers graduating
with a Queensland Certificate of Education, vocational education and training qualification or International Baccalaureate Diploma.
UniSC
The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) is one of Australia’s highest-rated public universities.
- More than 120 undergraduate and postgraduate study programs.
- Is part of the Queensland STEM education network, a consortium of Queensland universities providing high quality programs and initiatives designed to build STEM capacity across the state.
- Actively partners with local industries, businesses to provide important links between students and the workforce.
- Partners with local high schools to prepare students for university.
Leaders in STEM and innovation
The region’s reputation for innovation is well supported by a collaborative Innovation Ecosystem which consists of education programs, business incubators, coworking spaces, advocacy events and meetups which actively support and encourage innovation, new ideas and entrepreneurs.
Innovation Sunshine Coast is a not-for-profit innovation hub located at UniSC.
Launched in 2002, the centre is a hub for mature entrepreneurial startups and high growth companies.
It comprises a 1700 square metre facility, dedicated support team, incubator/accelerator programs, collaborative events, 330MBps connection, video studio, prototyping lab, and 30+ mentor panel.
Health sector education
The Sunshine Coast Health Institute is a partnership between Griffith University, UniSC, TAFE Queensland and the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service.
This important venture allows Griffith University medical students to study in the environment they will work in, collaborating with various health industry professionals.
Study Sunshine Coast Australia
Study Sunshine Coast, an initiative of Sunshine Coast Council in collaboration with Education Sunshine Coast, provides a central resource of information, showcasing the study opportunities available and the unique destination and lifestyle offerings on the Sunshine Coast.
This is further augmented by Council’s Future Careers program which highlights the impact that technology and innovation will have on the region’s seven high value industries and jobs of the future.
The seven high value industries are:
With its partner organisations, Study Sunshine Coast aims to provide a welcoming and supportive environment that enhances student experience, boosts retention and encourages visitation by relatives and friends.
Future proofing our next generation
The Sunshine Coast is a tech-savvy region with a reputation for innovation and leadership in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education.
Continued investment in talent and skills prepares our workforce with the knowledge and experience needed to compete in a global marketplace.
- RoboCoast, a hub of state and private schools, encourages the uptake paving the way for a stronger economy of robotics and coding.
- Generation Innovation is an annual challenge for 15-25 year-olds wanting to start their own business.
- The Sunshine Coast Telstra Innovation Awards program challenges high school students to develop entrepreneurial thinking.
- Coding and Innovation Hub: Established by Mountain Creek State High School in 2015, the hub provides professional development opportunities for teachers and classes in advanced coding for students.
