Industry Profile - Education and Training
Education in the Tweed is a major contributor to the local, state and national economies with a broad range of public, private, primary and secondary schools and a range of higher educational institutions which include the Kingscliff and Murwillumbah campuses of North Coast Institute of TAFE, and the Tweed campus of the Southern Cross University, the latter of which has established an international profile in research and development.
Government Education
The Tweed’s state-school facilities include 38 primary schools and 11 high schools with approximately 8,850 students enrolled. The Tweed Shire mirrors the national trend of increased year 12 completion followed by tertiary education in various fields. The Tweed’s public schools achieve high academic outcomes with extensive curriculum opportunities and excellent support services.
Private Education
The private education sector in the Tweed includes the catholic and private independent schools, together accommodating 33% of school enrolments. Private schools provide a range of teaching options and disciplines covering areas of teaching lifestyle philosophy, religious values, catering for children with special needs, remote student education, or catering specifically to students of indigenous backgrounds. The Tweed has approximately 3970 students enrolled in private education facilities.
Southern Cross University
Southern Cross University caters to 14,000 students across the North Coast region of NSW with campuses located in the major regional centre locations of Coffs Harbour, Lismore, Tweed Heads and Gold Coast campuses. The university’s extensive degree portfolio is complemented by their modern facilities, expanding campuses and regional city locations. The university’s 400 annual doctorate students are a tribute to the university’s academic success and research profile.
North Coast Institute of TAFE
The North Coast Institute of TAFE includes 17 campuses, 2 of which are located in the Tweed, and caters to 40,000 students annually through its six faculties. TAFE works in collaboration with government and partner organisations to ensure the interests of the community and the needs of industry are met through government fee assistance, learning partnerships, industry specific courses, education for trainees and apprentices, mentoring, and up-skilling.
The Tweeds lifestyle location and population growth projections provide opportunities for the development of private and public business investment in innovation, training and skills development, in addition to the increasing recognition of opportunities in the export of education services.
