Rebuilding Queensland’s Skills Backbone
The QLD Government has officially secured the site for the $60 million Moreton Bay TAFE Centre of Excellence, marking a major milestone in Queensland’s plan to rebuild its training infrastructure and support the next generation of trades, engineers, and manufacturing specialists.
Located at the Moreton Bay Central site in Petrie, the new Centre will begin construction in 2026 and serve as a cornerstone of the state’s $201.1 million plan to deliver three new TAFE Centres of Excellence and a Marine Centre of Excellence across Queensland.
The project forms part of a broader strategy to reverse a decade of decline in skills investment, ensuring regional Queensland has the infrastructure needed to support both housing and industrial growth.
Training Locals for Local Jobs
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the Moreton Bay TAFE Centre of Excellence represents a “fresh start” for Queenslanders wanting to build their careers closer to home.
“The Crisafulli Government is reversing a decade of decline and rebuilding TAFE from the ground up,” Minister Bates said. “This Centre will deliver world-class training in industries that drive our economy and create good jobs for Queenslanders.”
The facility will specialise in construction, engineering, electrotechnology, and advanced manufacturing, areas critical to Queensland’s future workforce and economic resilience.
For a region that has seen rapid population growth without matching training infrastructure, the project is set to transform local access to education and employment.
A Manufacturing Hub for the Future
The new TAFE will also feature an Advanced Manufacturing Hub, designed to support the region’s billion-dollar manufacturing industry and connect students directly with future employers.
Minister for Manufacturing Dale Last said the Centre will help position Queensland as a national leader in high-tech, high-demand sectors.
“Manufacturing is Queensland’s sleeping giant,” he said. “This investment is about creating the skilled workforce needed to wake it up and drive it forward.”
The hub will provide hands-on experience with automation, robotics, and digital manufacturing systems, skills that will underpin not only local industry, but also Queensland’s competitiveness on the national stage.
A Strategic Location for Growth
Positioned alongside the future Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre, which will host events during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the new TAFE Centre sits within a fast-growing innovation corridor.
With key transport links and proximity to major industrial precincts, the site offers both accessibility for students and strategic value for industry partnerships.
City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said the Council was proud to provide the land for the project, calling it a “game-changer” for local education and employment.
“This TAFE will upskill our workforce to meet the needs of local businesses, including our booming manufacturing industry,” Mayor Flannery said. “It’s an investment in jobs, innovation, and our city’s future.”
Closing the Skills Gap
Over the past decade, Queensland has faced mounting pressure on its training system. While demand for housing, infrastructure, and renewable energy projects has surged, the pipeline of skilled workers has struggled to keep pace.
Member for Redcliffe Kerri-Anne Dooley said the new Centre directly addresses these shortages:
“Businesses are crying out for skilled workers across the region. By delivering this TAFE Centre of Excellence, we’re building the workforce we need to deliver housing, infrastructure, and the 2032 Games.”
Similarly, Member for Glass House Andrew Powell said the investment will leave a lasting legacy:
“This isn’t just an investment in skills, it’s an investment in the future of our region.”
Lifting Opportunities Across the Bay
For young people and career changers alike, the Moreton Bay Centre of Excellence represents more than just a new building, it’s a chance to train, work, and thrive without leaving the region.
Member for Pumicestone Ariana Doolan said the facility will elevate the area’s reputation as a hub of innovation and opportunity.
“This Centre will be a game-changer for Moreton Bay and Pumicestone, creating opportunities for local talent and strengthening our region’s reputation for growth.”
Backing Queensland’s Workforce for the Long Term
With construction due to start in 2026, the Moreton Bay TAFE Centre of Excellence is part of a long-term plan to rebuild Queensland’s training ecosystem after years of stagnation.
According to TAFE Queensland SkillsTech General Manager Stephen Gates, securing the site was the first step in delivering a training facility designed for the future.
“This purpose-built facility will meet the skills needs of today and tomorrow,” Mr Gates said. “It will drive local jobs, innovation, and economic growth for years to come.”
The Bigger Picture
The Moreton Bay project joins new Centres of Excellence in Caloundra, Rockhampton, and the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, all designed to support regional economies and bolster Queensland’s skills pipeline.
Collectively, these investments signal a renewed commitment to vocational education as a key driver of Queensland’s economic transformation, one that will underpin the delivery of housing, infrastructure, and manufacturing opportunities leading into the next decade.
As Queensland eyes the 2032 Olympics and an era of rapid population growth, initiatives like the Moreton Bay TAFE Centre of Excellence are laying the groundwork for a smarter, stronger, and more self-sufficient workforce.
At The Good Builder, we believe this kind of investment is essential.
For builders, manufacturers, and trades across Queensland, a revitalised training network means more skilled workers, better local opportunities, and a stronger pipeline of talent ready to help deliver the homes, infrastructure, and industries that shape our future.
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