The Gordon

Looking for quality education and lifestyle? It’s all at The Gordon Institute of TAFE …

The Gordon Institute of TAFE, established in 1887, has been providing quality education for 130 years. Its small class sizes, practical and hands-on training, industry work placements and pathways to university help students gain the skills they need for future success in the workplace. 

Study Experience

The Gordon Institute of TAFE excels at hands-on learning and produces graduates who are work-ready. In fact, its graduates achieve a higher employment rate than the regional average. (Source: 2015 National Centre for Vocational Education and Research’s annual Student Outcomes Survey).

The Gordon Institute of TAFE works closely with many employers in the region to provide work experience and networking opportunities to its students. 

For those wanting to pathway to university, The Gordon offers guaranteed entry pathways to Deakin University and credit transfers to many other Australian universities.

Location

The Gordon Institute of TAFE is located in Geelong, the second largest city in Victoria only 1 hour from Melbourne and 30 minutes from the Great Ocean Road. This location offers a safe and affordable lifestyle for students in a vibrant university town with restaurants, cafes, annual festivals and events.

With blue skies and world famous beaches, Geelong provides an authentic Australian experience.

Campus Facilities

The Gordon Institute of TAFE enjoys purpose-built facilities that are designed to replicate industry environments so that students experience what it is like to work in the real world.

These facilities are constantly being upgraded to reflect industry standards. In fact, more than AUD18 million has been spent in the last five years on redevelopments, infrastructure and equipment upgrades across a number of areas.

On-campus Accommodation

Living in on-campus accommodation is a once in a lifetime experience and a great way to meet people from all around the world! Read more about this and the very affordable accommodation costs in the Student Residence section.

Interested? Read more to find out what the study experience at The Gordon Institute of TAFE could be like…

Quick Link:

• Scholarships for domestic students

A few more reasons why students should choose The Gordon Institute of TAFE for study…

• The Gordon Institute of TAFE is all about hands-on, practical learning that gives students the experience and skills they need for their future career.

• There are numerous study options to choose from and students will enjoy small class sizes, getting lots of one-on-one time with teaching staff.
• Teachers are industry trained professionals who love their work and pass their passion onto their students.
• Work placements and projects form a large part of the course content, giving students the practical experience they need to be confident when they enter the workforce.
• Students are offered international study tours to broaden their experience and give them the chance to make contacts overseas.
• The Gordon Institute of TAFE is highly regarded and trusted in Australia and internationally. We are accredited and recognised by NEAS, Australian Community Workers Association, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the Design Institute of Australia

The Gordon Institute of TAFE offers international students certificate, diploma, and advanced diplomas, covering subject areas that include:

• Accounting
• Aged Care*
• Building Design and Construction
• Community and Social Welfare Services
• Commercial Cookery and Patisserie
• Early Childhood Education
• English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
• Engineering*
• Graphic Design
• Hairdressing
• Horticulture and Conservation
• Information Technology
• Interior Design
• Laboratory Technology
• Nursing
• Remedial Massage
• Tourism and Hospitality*

*Not available for international students until 2017

Have a look at the complete list of study options on offer here…

The Gordon Institute of TAFE courses are delivered using a variety of different methods including:

• classroom delivery
• practical exercises and demonstrations
• group discussions
• lectures
• audio or visual presentations
• case study analysis
• research and project based learning
• supervised work placements
• computer based and e-learning
• self-directed and self-paced learning

Students are assessed using a combination of assessment methods including:

• classwork and classroom testing
• practical demonstrations
• individual or group assignments
• individual or group presentations
• examinations and theory tests
• reports and essays
• research projects
• role plays
• work placement assessments
• direct observation

Terms and Semesters

Refer to the Key Dates (PDF) for information about semester start dates, term breaks, public holidays and orientation.

Students can access a wide range of resources and support services to help make life at The Gordon Institute of TAFE easier…

Study Support

Study support includes personalised assistance with essay and assignment writing, reading and note taking, maths, computing, language assistance for English language students and general writing skills.

Career Support

The Careers team provides free and confidential career counselling appointments to both prospective and current students. The online program, Career Voyage is available to help users match their skills and interests with a suitable career. The CareerHub allows students to search for fulltime, part-time and casual jobs, volunteering, internships and placement opportunities.

Current students are also able to obtain assistance with job applications, attend free workshops on job searching, resumes, interview skills and employment information. Read More…

Personal Counselling

Counsellors offer a free and confidential personal counselling service to students. Students will have the opportunity to speak to professional counsellors about personal issues, including how to adjust to living and studying in Australia.

Some of the reasons students seek counselling include:

• work or study problems
• study skills
• lack of motivation or direction
• stress
• depression
• anxiety
• loneliness or homesickness
• loss and grief
• relationships
• family difficulties
• finances

In addition, the personal counselling unit holds a range of workshops and class sessions on relaxation and stress management and much more. More details…

Orientation

During Orientation, you will get the chance to make new friends and undertake fun activities to help you adjust to life on campus and in Geelong. You will receive all the information you need to enroll, will be issued with a student ID card and receive a comprehensive campus tour to help you feel more confident about finding your way around campus in your first week of classes.

The Gordon Student Residence is an affordable, safe and fun place for students to live.

Located at the East Geelong Campus (approximately 10 minutes drive from the City Campus), our on-campus accommodation is a small community of international and Australian students known for its friendly and welcoming environment. The on-campus accommodation comprises three separate wings, accommodating 50 furnished bedrooms.  

All rooms are extremely spacious and include a queen sized bed. Communal living areas are situated centrally on each floor with couches, dining, TV and free wifi. Fully equipped kitchen and bathroom facilities are shared between four residents.

On-campus accommodation offers many support services, activities and fun opportunities to make new friends; meaning the experience is so much more than just a place to stay. 

Advantages of living on Gordon Residence include: 

• Spacious and comfortable lounges and kitchens
• A short 10 minute bus trip or bike ride to The Gordon City Campus and Geelong City
• On-site Residence Manager and 24-hour security.
• Affordable rental charge - only $135 per week for a large room including all amenities!
• Free Wifi
• Laundry Facilities
• Recreation and Social Functions
• Making friends from all around the world
• Student leadership opportunities - Resident Assistant positions

“When I first settled here I couldn't speak or understand English. All the teachers showed me the way that I can use English in my daily life. Coming here to study has been the biggest change I ever made in my life. It has been a great experience.” - Amornrat Sudwiset – Thailand/ ELICOS 2016

“Australia is a young, beautiful and very well developed country, with friendly people. Geelong is the largest city of Victoria, after Melbourne and has everything we need. Geelong is well located, close to the big and gorgeous city of Melbourne and close to the wonderful beaches of Victoria. I chose the Gordon Institute of TAFE because of its good reputation and I found the course that I wanted to do. I believe a TAFE course is more practical and cheaper option than University. I now work in a Landscape Architecture firm with very nice people, which makes me feel welcome.” - Bianca Lua Nascimiento – Brazil/ Certificate IV in Horticulture

“I came to Australia for a new experience and thought of meeting new people. I decided to come to Geelong where there are great beaches and the cost of living is cheaper compared to Melbourne. I recommend the Gordon Institute of TAFE because the teachers are all from the industry and students get the opportunity of attaining hands on experience working at the 'Davidson Restaurant' and 'Café on Track' located on campus.”- Graca Maria Martins, South Africa/ Diploma of Hospitality (Commercial Cookery stream)

“I was searching for a lifestyle change. I wanted to study in an environment where I could live near the beach and surf. Geelong offers a unique location as it is near the Great Ocean Road, the Surf coast. I also have friends in the area. I have studied the Diploma of Conservation and Land Management for two years. I will use skills gained in this course to find employment back in the UK. All I can say it was a great experience and a great way to spend few years. The Gordon has been really useful and I would recommend the experience to anyone.”- Jack Stratfold – England/ Diploma of Conservation and Land Management