TAFE NSW is the largest provider of vocational education and training (VET) in Australia and is an integral part of the New South Wales (NSW) Department of Education and Training (DET). In the state of NSW, there are 10 TAFE NSW Institutes with 135 campuses. These Institutes are responsive and versatile organisations offering more than 1,200 work-related qualifications that have been developed in consultation with industry and aligned with national qualifications. These qualifications can be delivered flexibly in a variety of innovative ways in industry workplaces and online.

Mount Druitt College

TAFE NSW is one of the few organisations within the Australian VET sector to have achieved self-accreditation status. Each Institute is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). TAFE NSW Institutes enrol approximately 80% of NSW vocational education and training (VET) students.

In 2008, 90% of graduates confirmed they were satisfied with the overall quality of training in TAFE NSW, higher than the national average of 89%. Teachers at TAFE NSW possess academic qualifications, appropriate industry experience and also teaching qualifications. In addition, teachers are provided opportunities for on-going professional development enabling them to be up-skilled and remain current with developments in the education and industry sectors.

For more than 100 years TAFE NSW has been assisting students to reach their education and career goals. All TAFE NSW Institutes are Government owned, operated and accredited, making them:

• Secure and stable
• Professionally run
• Internationally recognised

Blacktown College

Students receive practical, hands-on training in small classes with qualified teachers and hi-tech equipment. Students from all over the world enrol each year to study a wide range of internationally recognised courses. TAFE NSW can also provide specialist distance and e-learning through the Open Training and Education Network (OTEN), part of TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute. TAFE NSW works closely with employers to give people the skills that make them productive and competitive. TAFE NSW courses help people keep pace with the changing workplace. TAFE NSW qualifications can also provide pathways to universities through the diploma to degree programmes.

About TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute (WSI)

WSI is one of the 10 TAFE NSW Institutes. Western Sydney Institute offers its courses in the Western Sydney region through its seven Colleges and its distance education arm - the Open Training and Education Network (OTEN). Each College offers Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses to international students. Every College has an International Student Coordinator who provides support for international students during their studies. International students study with Australian students giving them an opportunity to gain a truly Australian study experience. Also, international students benefit from integrated programmes and enhanced educational pathways as a result of collaborative arrangements with the University of Western Sydney (UWS). In addition to UWS, students from Sri Lanka can gain credit from a further 30 Universities Australia-wide.

Baulkham Hills College

Baulkham Hills College is located in the beautiful Hills District of north-western Sydney in Baulkham Hills Shire. There are two campuses: one in Baulkham Hills and the other in Castle Hill. Multi-million dollar facilities and a broad range of services cater to the needs of about 4,500 students. Courses offered to international students are in the areas of business and office studies, hospitality, management, tourism studies and information technology (IT). The College has a fully licenced training restaurant, the "21fiftythree" Restaurant; open to the public during semester and offering international students real life work experience. The restaurant has won 'Top Training Restaurant' in New South Wales for two consecutive years. The Baulkham Hills College Tourism section - known as "Travel 2153" - was presented with the Gold Award in the category of Tourism Education and Training at the 2008 New South Wales Tourism Awards.

Blue Mountains College

The Hills District is a major centre for advanced technology enterprises and is home to large shopping precincts (similar to Majestic City or Liberty Plaza). Baulkham Hills College is approximately 30 minutes away from Parramatta, which is fast developing as Sydney's second most important Commercial Business District. There are many job opportunities available in Parramatta, which is a major hub for government jobs, retail and restaurants.

Blacktown College

Blacktown College is located in the central business district of Blacktown City and is a large retail and commercial centre 15 minutes west of Parramatta. It is a city of diverse cultures and young, thriving communities, a home to people representing more than 30 different cultures. The College is a 10 minute walk from the local railway station. Courses offered to international students are in the areas of business and office studies, tourism studies and IT. Blacktown College has more than 7,500 student enrolments. The IT Section at Blacktown College is a Cisco Academy and offers the Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) preparatory course. This course is very popular among local and international students.

Blue Mountains College

A place of great natural beauty and rich cultural resources, the Blue Mountains attracts about three million domestic and international visitors each year making it one of the top three tourist destinations in Australia. Blue Mountains College comprises of two campuses situated at Wentworth Falls and Katoomba (about an hour and a half on a fast train from Sydney) and is located within the unique natural and cultural environment of a World Heritage listed National Park. Courses offered to international students are in the areas of business and office studies, general education, health and beauty hospitality, management, commercial cookery, information technology, outdoor recreation, tourism studies, environmental studies and horticulture. With tourism, the major regional economic activity, Blue Mountains College provides a range of tourism and hospitality qualifications. International students have the opportunity to find employment in this industry while studying.

"Elevation 867" Restaurant is located at the Wentworth Falls campus. The restaurant provides students with practical experience in Commercial Cookery and Hospitality. The College has more than 4,000 student enrolments. The Blue Mountains is a major tourist destination which enables international students to gain a tourism qualification in a truly unique environment! For Sri Lankan students studying in Blue Mountains College - it will be like studying in either Kandy or Nuwara Eliya - similar climate and beautiful mountainous setting.

Mount Druitt College

Located just a few minutes walk from the local train station and in the centre of a major shopping area, Mount Druitt College is Western Sydney Institute's main trade, technology and mechanical, electrical and electronics engineering centre. Apart from engineering courses, Mount Druitt College offers a range of Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma level courses to international students in the areas of IT, commercial cookery and hairdressing. The College has more than 10,000 student enrolments.

Mount Druitt College's "Greenview Room" Restaurant provides practical experience in Commercial Cookery and Hospitality for its students. This is used for Buffet and Table d'hôte functions as well as À la carte service by the students. The health and beauty section in Mount Druitt College is equipped with modern state-of-the-art facilities and the College offers courses in hairdressing for local and international students.

Nepean College

Nepean College is located across two campuses, Penrith and Kingswood. Kingswood Campus is located adjacent to the University of Western Sydney (UWS). It is a 20 minute walk from Kingswood railway station. Penrith Campus of Nepean College is just a few minutes walk from urban transport facilities and a major shopping and recreational precinct. The College offers international students courses in business and office studies, child studies, design, fine arts, general education, health and beauty, hospitality management, IT, nursing, sports and fitness and tourism studies. The College has more than 8,000 student enrolments. It has a fully licenced training restaurant, the "Patama Garang" Restaurant, which is open to the public during semester and students benefit from real experience working with paying clientele.

Nirimba College

Nirimba College is situated within a multi-campus educational precinct co-located with the University of Western Sydney - College (UWS College) and two senior High Schools providing a stimulating learning environment and unique opportunities for flexible learning pathways. The College is a 10 to 15 minute walk from Quakers Hill train station in Blacktown City. Nirimba College offers courses in the areas of building, architectural technology, business and office studies, child studies, civil engineering studies, contemporary music and welfare. The College has more than 6,400 student enrolments. Accommodation for international students is available in the UWS residential facilities on premises.

Richmond College

Richmond College is situated in the beautiful Hawkesbury Valley in a rural setting close to Sydney. The college is five minutes by car from the towns of Richmond and Windsor and a 20 minute walk from East Richmond station. It provides a range of educational opportunities and offers courses in the areas of agricultural (rural) studies, business and office studies, equine studies, horticulture, IT and animal care. The College has more than 4,700 student enrolments. Accommodation for international students can be found in the nearby UWS residential facility.

For more information on TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute and college locations in Sydney, please contact

In Sri Lanka
David Samuel, Manager-Business Development, Australian Trade Commission (Austrade)
Phone: 2463253 (Direct) 2463200 (through Reception)
Email: David.Samuel@austrade.gov.au

In Sydney, Australia
Veronica Ryan, Manager International Students, TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute
Phone: +61 - 2 - 4724 8291
Email: veronica.ryan@tafensw.edu.au
Web site: wsi.tafensw.edu.au/international