The Gordon

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

The Gordon Institute of TAFE has been providing quality education for over 130 years.

The Gordon welcomed their first international students in 1920 and since then students from over 75 countries have come to The Gordon to study a range of certificate, diploma and advanced diploma courses.

Their small classroom sizes, hands-on training, guaranteed work placements and pathways to university will help you get the skills you need to succeed in your future career.

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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 has three main campus locations across Geelong and Werribee, offering you choice, convenience, affordability and great lifestyle benefits.

Experience the Geelong Lifestyle

Geelong is a student-friendly, coastal city only 55 minutes from Melbourne and 35 minutes from the Great Ocean Road. Close to the city, country and coast, Geelong offers an affordable cost of living and a wonderful sense of community.

Geelong is the second largest city in Victoria there is no shortage of fun-filled activities for students to do on weekends, from learning to surf, to seeing Australian wildlife and heading to music, food and cultural festivals.

Study in Werribee, one of Melbourne’s fastest growing suburbs!

Werribee is a suburb on the western edge of Melbourne that is easily accessible by public transport, it only takes 30 minutes by train to travel to the Melbourne city centre.

Werribee is surrounded by some of the most culturally diverse and fastest growing Melbourne suburbs, including Point Cook, Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit and Wyndham Vale.

Their Werribee Campus is located on Watton Street, which is right in the heart of the urban city centre and boasts brand-new, state-of-the-art labs and classrooms.

Geelong City Campus

Their Geelong City Campus has a unique blend of historic architecture and modern training facilities. It is conveniently located in the Geelong city centre and is opposite the Geelong Train Station.

Courses offered here include:

• Accounting
• Community Services (Social Work)
• Early Childhood Education
• ELICOS
• Graphic Design
• Individual Support (Aged Care)
• Nursing
• Cookery and Patisserie
• Hairdressing
• Laboratory Technology

Geelong East Campus

Located just 10 minutes from the Geelong City Campus, their East Geelong Campus is home to state-of-the-art trade training facilities and their on-campus accommodation.

Courses offered here include:

• Building Design
• Interior Design
• Building and Construction
• Carpentry
• Horticulture
• Conservation and Land Management
• Information Technology
• Remedial Massage

Werribee Campus

Located only 30 minutes from Melbourne, their brand-new campus in Werribee offers even more choice and flexibility on where to study. This new modern campus has facilities for classroom-based training and practical hands-on training.

Courses offered here include:

• ELICOS
• Early Childhood Education
• Individual Support (Aged Care)
• Nursing

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…

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• 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. They 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
• ELICOS – EAP & General English
• Engineering
• Graphic Design
• Hairdressing
• Horticulture and Conservation
• Information Technology
• Interior Design
• Laboratory Technology
• Nursing
• Remedial Massage

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), the 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

“I chose to study at The Gordon as they have an excellent reputation, with a lot of great chefs who have graduated and now own their own restaurants.

All the teachers are professional and experienced and they make the training interesting and memorable. I have not only learned how to cook a great meal, but also learned how to be a team player. After studying with my classmates all year, we have become like a family. We study from each other, help each other, and have a lot of fun. As an international student, I was always shy to speak out, but in the cookery industry you have to communicate with others and my English has improved dramatically. I’ve not only learnt English, but also some specialised words in French, Italian, Japanese and others.

I am now working in a local restaurant and continuing my studies at Certificate IV level to gain more knowledge and experience. I hope to own my own small restaurant one day.”

Bo Li (Allen)
Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
Recipient of 2016 The Gordon International Student of the Year Award

“I am happy I made the Gordon Institute of TAFE my study destination; I could not have had it any better. Being a TAFE, I felt the practical approach and real experience would help me further my studies and career path.

The teachers are a great asset. The amount of care and attention they provide exceeds expectations. I go to class every morning knowing that I have their full backing and support. Lessons are broken down into very simple and concise parts, their nursing labs are fully equipped with state of the art tools and their lesson plans are set up to match the current needs of the workforce.

The students are very welcoming and ready to interact. I have made friends who have become family. The multicultural environment made settling in a lot easier. Finding my way around during the first few weeks of admission was no problem because staff are always ready to direct you to your destination.”

Yakubu Daffi
Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled-Division 2 nursing)

“I chose The Gordon because I wanted to study Diploma of Community Services Work and it is the only place in Geelong that is accredited by ACWA (Australian Community Workers Association). I love being a student at The Gordon! We have very passionate, skilled and experienced teachers who challenge and empower us at the same time – to learn more, to research, and to build up our strengths and skills to become better workers.

I am not working in the field yet, but I am sure I will be well prepared for employment. Being an international student in the class with Australians is definitely a very good experience! I have got the opportunity to improve my English skills, to get insight into Aussie slang and to find out more about the Australian lifestyle, customs and culture. I wouldn’t want it any other way!”

Marjetka Gojkosek
Diploma of Community Services