About the Sunshine Coast

Welcome to the Sunshine Coast

With a great range of study and career opportunities, an entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem, a thriving job market, endless coastline and hinterland, a welcoming community, the Sunshine Coast is a place where you will feel safe and happy from the moment you arrive. The Sunshine Coast is home to an amazing and unforgettable study experience.

Situated in one of the fastest growing areas of Australia, the Sunshine Coast is an exciting and progressive region for students to live, learn and kick start their future. With today’s population of around 330,000 people, the area is forecast to grow to 500,000 by 2032.

The Sunshine Coast has an end-to-end education solution for every need. The Sunshine Coast welcomes local, national and international students to experience the diverse range of education and training options and move easily between various levels of study and institutions. Over 80 private, Catholic and government schools allow the Sunshine Coast to engage and nurture your educational journey from school through to lifelong learning.

The nationally awarded University of Sunshine Coast (USC) is one of Australia’s fastest growing universities and more than 400 training organisations, including TAFE Queensland’s three locations, provide you with outstanding study options and exciting career opportunities.

The Sunshine Coast is also home to amazing beaches, hiking, water sports, local produce, mountains, rainforests and world class events, from relaxation to adventure, Australia’s Sunshine Coast has it all.

If you’re looking for fun on, in and under the water you’re sure to find it on the Sunshine Coast’s 100 kilometres (just over 60 miles) of pristine sandy beaches. Swim, sail, surf, jet ski, snorkel, paddle board or water ski through clear clean water or fly across the waves on a kiteboard. Ancient volcanic peaks, peaceful rainforests, awe inspiring waterfalls and crystal clear creeks invite you to explore and recharge in a natural wonderland where camping is offered in several of the region’s parks and forests.

The sunny sub-tropical climate is ideal for year-round activity with summer temperatures averaging 28 degrees C (82 degrees F) and winter.

Mayor’s Message

Our Sunshine Coast offers local, national and international students the most compelling education and lifestyle experience – one that is unrivalled elsewhere in Australia.

Through Study Sunshine Coast, we are providing the home and learning environment to nurture global leaders of tomorrow. In our distinct location you can continue your education and experience something that is not available elsewhere – and that is the unparalleled advantage of being a part of our vision in action – as Australia’s most sustainable region: healthy, smart, creative.

Our vision is real, it is happening now and your learning experiences here on our Sunshine Coast will enable you to grasp a leading edge from being part of a region with:

The fastest and direct data and telecommunications connectivity from the Eastern seaboard of Australia to Asia
Australia’s only greenfield, contemporary, 21st century central business district at Maroochydore coming to life – offering a superb living, working, recreational and entertainment environment
Direct national and international travel connectivity from the Sunshine Coast Airport
Australia’s newest $1.8 billion tertiary teaching hospital including a renowned Health Institute and medical school
Australia’s first tripartite partnership providing an innovative solution for blue carbon storage across 5,000 hectares of natural floodplain – known as our Blue Heart
One of the most progressive sustainability agendas from a local government in Australia to assist the region respond to and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate
Responsibility as a Key Delivery Partner in the staging of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Many outstanding organisations have already chosen to call the Sunshine Coast home and this region has naturally emerged as distinct and competitive hub for innovators and entrepreneurs across a range of disciplines – people who have grasped the opportunities associated with living, studying, working and collaborating in a region offering unparalleled advantages and opportunities.

Study Sunshine Coast plays an important role in reinforcing our region’s reputation as a leading Australian study destination. Sunshine Coast Council is proud to have been involved from the outset, working closely with education providers, institutions and students to ensure the initiative remains relevant, exciting, informative and adds exceptional value to your learning experience.

Our Sunshine Coast has become a place where students from around the world come to study, collaborate and connect. Our region is also home to some of Queensland’s highest performing schools, two nationally awarded universities, highly regarded English language colleges and more than 400 registered training organisations.

Our future on the Sunshine Coast is bright, fulfilling and purposeful. Studying on the Sunshine Coast is an opportunity to ensure your future has similar prospects.

MAYOR MARK JAMIESON

Minister’s Message

As the Minister responsible for International Education and Training in Queensland, I am pleased to support Study Sunshine Coast in its ongoing work to showcase the Sunshine Coast as a celebrated education and training destination.

Now more than ever, Study Sunshine Coast plays a critical role in destination promotion, delivering initiatives to enhance the student experience, and fostering collaboration between the education, training and tourism sectors and the local innovation ecosystem. As Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Innovation and Minister for Sport, I strongly support and encourage collaboration between these related sectors to promote the region.

The Sunshine Coast region is one of Queensland’s most desirable locations, offering students a naturally inspiring environment to live, learn and kickstart their future. It boasts top-ranking universities and more than 80 public and private schools, vocational education and training, and English-language providers, offering students outstanding study options and exciting career opportunities.

The region has a unique entrepreneurial ecosystem, including educational programs, business incubators, co-working spaces, advocacy events and meetups, which actively support and encourage innovation, new ideas and start-ups.

Further strengthening this are a number of world-class training facilities such as the Sunshine Coast Health Institute, the USC High Performance Sports Academy and Sunshine Coast University Hospital. All are expected to flourish with the news that the Sunshine Coast will be one of the host regions for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

With a progressive local government focused on economic growth, the delivery of game-changing projects (including the Sunshine Coast international airport expansion, international broadband submarine cable and the new Maroochydore central business district), I believe the future is bright for the region. I urge you to get involved.

STIRLING HINCHLIFFE MP
Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Innovation and Minister for Sport

One of Australia’s Fastest Growing Cities

Situated in one of the fastest growing areas of Australia, the Sunshine Coast is an exciting and progressive region for students to live, learn and kick start their future.

With a progressive local government that is focused on economic growth and development, now is the time for students to consider studying here.

Major infrastructure projects are underway to position the Sunshine Coast as a major centre for high value, higher paying employment in health and educational services, professional services, innovation, research and international tourism. Today’s population of around 330,000 people is forecast to grow to 500,000 by 2032.