Widebay Institute of TAFE

Introduction

Welcome to WideBay TAFE

WideBay TAFE is an ideal location for international students to undertake study while enjoying an active and safe lifestyle. The safe clean, picturesque environment and sub-tropical climate, makes the Wide Bay region a popular family holiday destination.

The Wide Bay region has attractions such as the World Heritage listed Fraser Island, the Great Barrier Reef, pristine rain forests, beaches, and national parks, which draw tourists from all around the world.

Wide Bay Institute of TAFE is the largest and most established provider of education and training in the Wide Bay region. It is a government training organisation, and as part of the TAFE Queensland network, is able to draw upon the vast experience and resources of Queensland’s largest training organisation. Our modern facilities combined with our highly qualified and experienced staff, means you will provided with the skills and knowledge that will prepare you for university or the workforce. You will receive practical education and training of the highest standard while studying at WideBay TAFE, ensuring you are on your way to the successful future you deserve.

Australia is the only country in the world where the Government has created an Act to protect international students. (ESOS Act Education Services for Overseas Students). All education and training providers to international students must have CRICOS registration to ensure the quality delivery of programs to international students. CRICOS stands for Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students.

A full time International Student Support Officer is available at all times to provide support and assistance on any aspect of your stay in Australia. The International Student Support Officer will arrange your accommodation and visa requirements, prepare newsletters to send to parents, organise social activities, assist study and liaise with teaching staff to ensure your success.

Pakistan Student Contact Details

Postal Address	:	Auscon Associates (Pvt) Ltd Suite 3, First Floor, Benazir Plaza, Jinnah Avenue Blue Area, Islamabad, Pakistan
Telephone number	:	+92 51 2803242
Fax number	:	+92 51 2803243
Email	:	info@auscon.org
Website	:	www.auscon.org

Location

The Wide Bay Region

WideBay TAFE has four major campuses located in Bundaberg, Gympie, Hervey bay and Maryborough as well as a number of specialty campuses including Gayndah TAFE Centre, Maritime Training Centre in Bundaberg and Security Training Centre in Brisbane.

Bundaberg city has a population of around 45,000 people. However the Burnett Shire, which includes the Coral Coast surrounding the city's area, brings the total population up to around 70,000.

The city attractions include the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery as well as numerous smaller attractions including Hinkler House, Tropical Winery, Schmeider's Cooperage and Mystery Craters.

Bundaberg is the centre of the greater region, which includes the Southern Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Isle - Lady Elliot and Lady Musgrave Islands. Turtles nest on the beaches in the summertime and whales frolic off shore during winter. The Coral Coast boasts absolutely beautiful oceanfront accommodation, an interesting coastline that includes excellent dive and snorkelling sites, long sandy beaches and rocky points.

As the heritage and cultural centre of the Cooloola Region, Gympie boasts a tradition that few areas in Queensland can offer. A city of 16,000 people, Gympie offers the warm hospitality of a country town with all the modern conveniences.

Known as the "Town that Saved Queensland", Gympie's proud heritage began in 1867 with the discovery of gold by prospector James Nash at the site now occupied by the Town Hall. At the time, Queensland was facing bankruptcy due to drought and the fall in wool prices. However, Nash made the five-day journey down the Mary River from Maryborough and, after digging up 75 ounces of gold in six days, staked his claim. The Gympie Gold Rush was on, injecting the boost to the Queensland economy that enabled the colony to survive.

Gympie's location, right on the Bruce Highway under two hours drive north of Brisbane, makes it easily accessible for travellers looking for a special slice of Queensland. And it is centrally located to the breathtaking coastline of Rainbow Beach, the dolphins of Tin Can Bay, and the rural hinterland of the Mary Valley.

Hervey Bay lies on the East Coast of Australia and offers a comfortable sub-tropical climate. As one of Australia's fastest growing cities, Hervey Bay has a population of approximately 52,000 people.

The Bay has a large tourism industry and a reputation as a safe and relaxing family holiday destination. Hervey Bay offers a variety of attractions, activities and entertainment including World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, whale watching, water and beach based activities, most sports, bush walking, and a variety of entertainment venues and restaurants.

Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world, measuring 124 kilometres long and covering an area of 163,000 hectares. The island encompasses an amazing variety of landscapes, including long surf beaches, cliffs and gorges in shades of orange, red, yellow and pure white sand, dense rainforests, vast desert-like sand blows, freshwater lakes perched high up in its dunes, winding streams, great basalt headlands and salt pans with eerie mangrove forests.

Maryborough is one of Queensland's oldest cities being first settled in 1847 as a wool port. Nestled in a curve on the broad Mary River, much of the city's character had been preserved in its houses, mostly built of local timber, in a range of sizes and designs, from humble worker cottages to large mansions.

The diversity and number of homes, which survive along its broad tree-lined streets, have given Maryborough its reputation as one of the most beautiful historic towns in Queensland. Today Maryborough's special charm is best discovered through the city's Heritage Walk, which takes in 28 key historical buildings in the central business district.

Maryborough has a population of about 25,000 people.

Faculties / Fields of Study

Why Study at WideBay TAFE?

WideBay TAFE offers a variety of programs to International students in areas such as Business and Administration, Community Services, English Language, Hairdressing, and Hospitality. Not only are TAFE Diploma programs an excellent pathway to University but WideBay TAFE also offers “Diploma to University Degree” programs.

International students who complete their studies at WideBay TAFE will receive one of the following qualifications: Diploma, Certificate IV, Certificate III, Certificate II, Certificate I, or High School Certificate.

Programs currently available include:

Business and Administration
     • Certificate III in Business Administration
Community Services
     • Diploma of Children's Services
English Language
     • English Language Program
Hairdressing
     • Certificate II in Hairdressing
     • Certificate III in Hairdressing
High School – Years 11 and 12
     • International High School Program
Hospitality
     • Certificate III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery)
     • Diploma of Hospitality Management
     • Diploma of Hospitality Management (Commercial Cookery) Package

The Following programs are available from 2008:

Business
     • Certificate IV in Business Administration
     • Diploma of Business Administration
     • Diploma of Business Management
Horticulture
     • Diploma of Conservation and Land Management
     • Diploma of Horticulture
English Language Courses
    English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students

All English language programs are offered full-time with 25 hours of classes each week. Class sizes average 10 students with a maximum of 18 students. An open and friendly approach to learning is adopted in order to ensure you are able to achieve your full potential. To ensure quality training of our programs, WideBay TAFE’s language centre is accredited and registered through the Commonwealth Register of International Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

   Program Features
      • Flexible entry and exit.
      • Small classes for individual attention (average 10 students).
      • A mix of students from different countries.
      • Programs can be tailored to meet the individual student’s needs.
      • Expert staff (Teachers, International Student Support Officer etc).
      • Use of computer labs, internet services and email.
      • Well equipped campus.
      • Regular excursions.
      • Excellent resources including a fully staffed Research and Information Centre. 
      • Students can participate in units from other programs offered at the TAFE campus such as Certificate II in Hospitality.

This is an excellent opportunity to interact with Australian students in a fun environment.

WideBay TAFE's English Language program includes many excursions and activities where you will have the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the region as well as practice your English language skills through interacting with the community.

ELICOS Certificate Levels

Program Equivalent to Description

Certificate I in Spoken and Written English IELTS 2
(approximate) Focuses on the basics of English and develops the basics of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Are necessary for further development and will allow the learner to participate in routine social situations.

Certificate II in Spoken and Written English IELTS 3
(approximate) Concentrates on developing basic social proficiency and concentrates on aspects of reading, writing, listening and speaking which will allow the learner to participate in limited social and vocational settings.

Certificate III in Spoken and Written English IELTS 4
(approximate) Focuses on developing more advanced social proficiency and concentrates on aspects of reading, writing, listening and speaking which will allow the learner to participate in most social and limited academic and vocational settings.

Certificate IV in Spoken and Written English – Further Study IELTS 6
(approximate) Concentrates on preparing students for further studies and concentrates on advanced reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar as well as test and assessment skills.

After ELICOS

You will have a better understanding of how to live and study in an English-speaking social and/or business environment after graduating from a WideBay TAFE English Language program. WideBay TAFE will provide you with the skills and knowledge that will prepare you for further study, the workplace or your Australian holiday.

Support Services and Facilities

Bundaberg has two campuses; the main campus is located on Walker Street and the second campus, the TAFE Queensland Maritime Training Centre. The Walker Street campus houses many facilities including:

• trade workshops;
• modern classrooms;
• a hairdressing training facility;
• a fully equipped training restaurant;
• retail training facilities;
• purpose built horticulture facility including nursery and laboratories;
• a comprehensive Research and Information centre, including internet access; and
• a self-funding child care centre used as a training facility for students.

The TAFE Queensland Maritime Training Centre is located at the Bundaberg Port Authority. This purpose built training facility offers programs in a range of fishing and maritime training.

Industry standard equipment includes:
• a fully operational training vessel,
• instrumental laboratory, and
• engineering workshop.
Gympie College is located on Cartwright Road in Gympie.

The facilities include:
• a fully equipped training restaurant;
• specialist motorcycle training workshop;
• horticulture facility including nursery and laboratories;
• a hairdressing training salon;
• a comprehensive Research and Information centre, including internet access; trade workshops; and
• modern classrooms.

The Hervey Bay campus is on Urraween road in a spacious picturesque environment.

Facilities located at the Hervey Bay campus include:
• a fully equipped gymnasium;
• multimedia training laboratory;
• sound and film studios;
• modern industry standard Computer Aided Drafting facilities;
• a fully equipped training restaurant;
• hall;
• hair and beauty centre;
• a comprehensive Research and Information centre, including internet access; trade workshops; and
• modern classrooms.

The Maryborough campus is located at Nagel Street.

The facilities include:
• a fully equipped training restaurant;
• mechanical and engineering workshops;
• horticulture facility;
• a comprehensive Research and Information centre, including internet access; trade workshops; and
• modern classrooms.

CRICOS Registration Information:

CRICOS Provider code:	02013A
Registered as:	Department of Employment and Training
Trading as:	Wide Bay Institute of TAFE