Universities and training in Cairns

Cairns has two universities

Cairns is one of Australia’s only regional cities that is home to two universities. Our two universities, James Cook University and CQUniversity are both rated in the top 2 per cent of universities world-wide.

CQUniversity is recognised as a world leader in built environments (which includes various engineering disciplines), sport, health and psychological sciences and agriculture; JCU is a world leader in tropical health and medicine, marine biology and environmental sciences and ecology and has 21 specialist research centres.

Hundreds of higher degrees can be studied in Cairns at the levels of certificate, diploma, undergraduate, and graduate diploma, masters and doctorate. Areas of study range from Arts, Aviation and Allied Health to Engineering, Education and Economics, to the Sciences, Sport and Social Work.

James Cook University

James Cook University has a two campuses - one in the city centre and another 15km north of the city in the suburb of Smithfield.

• James Cook University

CQUniversity

CQUniversity has four study sites in the Cairns CBD and another site at the airport, which services the university's aviation and paramedicine programs.

• CQUniversity (CQU)

Study Cairns

Our city is a hub for international students looking to gain qualifications while improving their English language skills. Our city's wide range of higher education facilities, which include our two universities, vocational, English language and specialist training facilities, cater to  everyone.

The group, Study Cairns, is dedicated to providing support to students when they are studying in the Cairns region. As well as offering facilities, resources and meeting spaces in the city for students, Study Cairns, supports international education and training in North Queensland and represents organisations, institutions and businesses that are involved in the education industry.

Study Cairns also maintains a comprehensive list of education providers and course information about the opportunities and offerings in Cairns.

tafe Queensland - Cairns

tafe Queensland's Cairns Campus offers a wide range of study areas including accounting, aged care, automotive, beauty and hairdressing, building and construction, business, child care, civil construction, community services, cookery, electrotechnology, engineering, English language studies, health, horticulture, information technology, music, nursing, sport and fitness, tourism and hospitality, training and assessment, and visual arts.

Further education, training and trades in Cairns

Education options that are unique to Cairns are our world-class marine and aviation training colleges, facilities and course offerings.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine College is an innovative leader in the provision of maritime training to local, national and international clients.

• The Great Barrier Reef International Marine College

Cairns Aviation Skills Centre is the leading aviation and aerospace training facility in the Asia-Pacific region and has provided training for major international clients including Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

• The Cairns Aviation Skills Centre

Registered training organisations in Cairns

Cairns has a comprehensive range of registered training organisations and group training organisations that offer courses and modules in many fields. Find exactly what you are looking for using the Federal Government's training site.