Big Build of Cairns given big boost with Marine College expansion underway

• Construction has begun on a $17.6 million upgrade and expansion of the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College in Cairns.
• The works will accommodate a new workshop with patrol guard boat engine simulation, new boat store, new classrooms and new student and staff facilities.
• The expanded college will train up to 1,500 students per year, up from 900 who have commenced this year.

The Miles Labor Government has kicked off construction on its latest project in the Big Build of Cairns with a massive 2,600 m² expansion of TAFE Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef International Marine College.

The jointly funded $17.6 million upgrade, part of a $36 million investment by the Albanese Labor Government, will put Cairns front and centre of the world’s booming maritime industry training seafarers and delivering specialised training to navy and police personnel.

In a Queensland-first the College is partnering with Maritime Safety Queensland and TAFE Queensland to offer a Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Integrated Rating) starting this year.

This course covers a number of core skills needed to successfully gain certification from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, including learning to survive at sea using a survival craft, slip or dock a vessel, maintain hull on a vessel up to 80 metres, and how to use wheelhouse equipment for safe navigation.

To cater for increased student numbers – including Queenslanders looking to train, upskill and reskill in the critical maritime sector – the expansion includes a new state-of-the-art workshop with patrol boat engine simulations, a new boat store, fresh classrooms, and upgraded spaces for both students and staff.

This Queensland Big Build project will play a crucial role in delivering training for Queensland’s growing maritime workforce, including through the Pacific Marine Training Services contract – a program set to strengthen our ties with Pacific Island nations by training their navy and police personnel.

Quotes attributable to Member for Cairns Minister Michael Healy MP:

“It’s all hands on deck here in Cairns for our 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.”

“This expansion cements Cairns as Australia’s maritime training hub, putting us on the map for world-class marine education.”

“With an uplift of funding from the Miles Government, the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College is set to be transformed – embracing innovation, welcoming more students and providing the skills critical to our local maritime and marine sectors.

“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.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Barron River Craig Crawford MP:

“Our Big Build is turbocharging our local economy through local contracts and more students coming to Cairns.

“This new Big Build project will have 50% more students coming through this facility and every new enrolment is another boost to our economy.

“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.

“Labor is setting up our community for long-term success – more skills, more jobs, more business, and more reasons to stay and work in Cairns.”

Quotes attributable to MUA Queensland Assistant Branch Secretary Paul Gallagher:

"Congratulations to the Queensland Government on the new Big Build project making room for more Queenslanders to be trained in the skills they need to break into high-paid, high-tech seafaring careers.

"With the college’s new international rating certification training and extra classrooms the next generation of young Queensland seafarers will be put at the cutting edge, taking them offshore into the deep sea, and into the heart of Australia's lucrative maritime industry.

"With those pathways previously only available in Tasmania and West Australia, this new state-of-the-art facility will mean that more Queensland's sons and daughters will be equipped to take on high-paid careers in shipping and the booming offshore hydrocarbons sector.

“This is boosting our state as a hub for high-tech training and international maritime careers.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Development Lance McCallum:

“This is what Labor’s Far North Big Build is all about – delivering state-of-the-art facilities that create jobs and opportunities for Queenslanders from Cooktown to Cairns and out to the Cape.

“We can’t risk going backwards under David Crisafulli and the LNP, who last time in government sacked 197 TAFE workers in Far North Queensland.

“Only Labor will deliver the Big Build of Cairns, and back locals into good jobs with Free TAFE, Free Tools for First Years, and Free Apprenticeships.”

Further information:

The Great Barrier Reef International Marine College is recognised as one of Australia’s leading maritime training facilities, providing internationally-renowned training to domestic and international students and seafarers.

Part of the TAFE Queensland network, the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College delivers a range of maritime training in accordance with regulatory requirements and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

Located a short distance from the Port of Cairns, the College offers a range of industry-recognised maritime courses, including Certificates I to IV in Maritime Operations, and skill sets in safety and marine radio.

More than 900 people have commenced training at College in 2024 to-date, with students undertaking qualifications including the Certificate II in Maritime Operations, available under Free TAFE.

For more information, please visit https://www.gbrimc.com.au/

ENDS