RDA Gold Coast has partnered with the Gold Coast Health & Knowledge Precinct and Study Gold Coast to produce an analysis of the Gold Coast’s emerging graduate workforce.

The study shows that the Gold Coast region offers a rich environment for talent attraction, retention and entrepreneurial innovation:

• Graduate numbers in STEM fields including health now account for 65% of total graduate numbers, with science, engineering, ICT, architecture and industrial design graduates accounting for 36% of the total.
• There has been a steady increase in graduate numbers in a range of speciality science fields, including medical laboratory science, where graduate numbers have doubled since 2014.
• There are more than 50 health qualifications on offer, with strong growth in the health sector driven by high population growth over the last two decades, which has seen 15,000 new residents added every year.

Overall education and training contributes more than $1.7 billion to the local economy and with almost 30,000 international students from more than 130 different countries studying on the Gold Coast.

RDA Gold Coast Director of Regional Development Estella Rodighiero said the study shows there are thousands of job-ready, knowledge-based graduates underpinning the Gold Coast’s transformation into a knowledge economy.

“This means that innovators, technology and healthcare-related businesses locating to the Gold Coast can be assured of a pipeline of talent, supported by an extremely strong education sector.

“We have three research-intensive universities, TAFE Queensland and a range of technical and training providers offering comprehensive study options including undergraduate and post-graduate degrees, specialised qualifications and micro-credentials in emerging fields.”

Just a few of the future-focused courses on offer at the Gold Coast include:

• Bachelor of Intelligent Digital Technologies
• Bachelor of Data Science
• Bachelor of Digital Business (one of only 2 programs of its kind in Australia)
• Master of Electronic and Sport Engineering
• Master of Electronic and Energy Engineering
• Master of Biotechnology
• Master of Healthcare Innovations (an Australian first)

For more information on opportunities for new businesses and innovators on the Gold Coast, contact Estella Rodighiero on 0411 558 834 or

Download Workforce for Future Gold Coast (Snapshot)

Did you know that Gold Coast Based company PWR Advanced Cooling Technology manufactures and supplies cooling systems to race teams all around the world including the Formula 1, NASCAR and our very own V8 Supercars!? WOW!!!!

RDA Gold Coast's Quarterly Report to the Gold Coast Region for October to December 2018 is available to view now. 

Find out what RDA Gold Coast has been up to increase trade, investment, innovation and jobs in our region over the past three months. 

There's also a federal funding update and info on business initiatives including the Carl's Jnr Employment and Skilling Event, Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards and our food and agribusiness workshop series.

View report >>