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Marine college expansion underway as part of Cairns’ Big Build

Marine College expansion underway as part of Cairns’ Big Build

Construction has commenced on the latest project in Cairns’ Big Build with a 2,600-square-metre expansion of TAFE Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef International Marine College.

The jointly funded $17.6 million upgrade aims to position Cairns as a key player in the global maritime industry, offering training for seafarers and providing specialised courses for navy and police personnel.

In a Queensland first, the college has partnered with Maritime Safety Queensland and TAFE Queensland to launch a Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Integrated Rating). The course, starting this year, covers essential skills needed for certification by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, including survival craft training, vessel docking, hull maintenance, and wheelhouse equipment operation for safe navigation.

To accommodate growing student numbers – including Queenslanders looking to train, upskill or reskill in the maritime sector – the expansion will feature a state-of-the-art workshop with patrol boat engine simulators, a new boat store, new classrooms, and upgraded spaces for students and staff.

Queensland State Member for Cairns Michael Healy said that it is “all hands on deck” for Cairns’ Big Build.

“We’re not just building a bigger marine college – we’re building opportunities for locals and drawing students from around the world to our shores,” said Healy. “This expansion cements Cairns as Australia’s maritime training hub, putting us on the map for world-class marine education.”

“And as more people come to Cairns to get the very best education and training in Australia, the broader region stands to reap the rewards.”

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Queensland State Member for Barron River Craig Crawford noted that the Big Build is boosting the local economy by securing local contracts and attracting more students to Cairns.

“This new Big Build project will have 50 per cent more students coming through this facility and every new enrolment is another boost to our economy,” said Crawford. “There will be more than 870 new maritime industry jobs in Cairns in the four years to 2025-26; that’s a huge vote of confidence in Cairns.”

This expansion will play a vital role in training the state’s growing maritime workforce, including through the Pacific Marine Training Services contract – a program set to strengthen ties with Pacific Island nations by training their navy and police personnel.

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