About Imagine

About Imagine Education Australia

Imagine Education Australia is a privately owned ELICOS and Vocational Education and Training centre located in Southport.

Imagine Education provides:

• State of the art facilities in Southport’s educational precinct.
• First-rate courses to students from Australia and around the world
• Student services (including Homestay and employment assistance)
• Experienced and professional staff
• Fun and exciting classes

In co-operation with partner education providers, Imagine Education can provide students with a pathway into high school, university or higher learning throughout Australia.

Word from our CEO International Education

"Welcome to Imagine Education. As CEO of Imagine, it is my goal to be committed to excellence in education and to ensure that students, who study at Imagine Education, are provided with an environment that fosters learning and understanding."

"Investing in Imaginations"

The Mission of Imagine Education Australia is to provide world-class education for all students in a positive and caring learning environment.

This will be achieved by:

• Maximising international awareness by integrating students into Australian society and thereby, developing a deeper understanding of Australian culture.
• Using new and innovative teaching methodologies.
• Helping students develop competence and confidence in the use of English to cope with the academic demands of High School and University in Australia.
• To create study pathways, services and opportunities for students through high quality student focused programs in a safe and supportive school environment from its dedicated teachers and support staff.

Imagine Education is synonymous with quality education and long-term career success.

Why Choose Imagine Education Australia?

• Experience - Imagine Education Australia is a Registered Training Organisation that has been delivering quality training that is relevant to the industry since 2005.
• Accredited courses - Our qualifications are built in accordance with the National Training Packages and are validated by industry to ensure the most up to date, relevant training for today’s business environment.
• Industry engaged teaching staff - With fully qualified, passionate teaching staff who have many years working in their respective industries, students are receiving training from the best. 
• Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer - Your past studies and even work experience can be recognised as credit at Imagine Education Australia.
• Foundation Pathways - Students who do not meet the requirements for direct entry into University Bachelor programs may choose to take advantage of Imagine Education Australia’s Foundation Pathway program. There are a number of special pathways from our Vocational programs that allow you to progress onto the Bachelor programs with credit; meaning you can complete your degree even faster.
• Live Training Environments - Don’t just learn in a classroom: Study at one of Imagines' Live Training Environments, where you get the practical, hands-on training and experience you need to launch your career.
• Skill-based assessment - Demonstrate your learning in many ways: not just exams. Additionally, on-the job apprentices are assessed in conjunction with their own employment training
• Flexible entry requirements & multiple intakes - You will never miss your start date with Imagine’s flexible enrolment options and many intakes throughout the year.
• Fee options - Discover a cost-effective way of achieving a career outcome or pathway to further study with our competitive course prices and reputation for flexible payment plans.

Gold Coast Lifestyle

With world famous beaches, national parks and mountain resorts, the Gold Coast has become a world known tourist destination and spans across 1,402 square kilometres with 70 kilometres of coastline. The climate is sub-tropical with 287 days of sunshine annually and average temperatures of 19-29 degrees Celsius in summer and 9-21 degrees Celsius in winter. Only 45 minutes from Brisbane, the capital of the State of Queensland, the Gold Coast is popular with both Australian and International visitors.

The Gold Coast is also home to Australia’s premier tourist attractions including theme parks, wildlife parks, more than 40 golf courses, hundreds of parks, bikeways, beaches and playgrounds open free year-round and 1000’s of restaurants catering to all culinary tastes. Imagine Education also offers professional child care facilities for children while parents study.

The Gold Coast is now the 6th largest city in Australia and offers students first class sporting, shopping and entertainment facilities. Imagine Education is located in the education precinct of Southport in the heart of the Gold Coast with many schools and universities in the area. Our site is conveniently located next to The Southport School only minutes from Surfers Paradise.

Cost of Living

The cost of living for international students is significantly lower in Australia than in countries like the USA and the UK. The average cost per year in Australia is AUD$9,306 compared to the US ($12,861) and the UK ($12,768). This figure includes accommodation, food, transport, clothing, fuel, power, telephone and entertainment. The average weekly cost of living is $174. The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs advises students to have $A18,000 per year however the Gold Coast is significantly less expensive than the bigger cities such as Sydney or Melbourne.

Sample costs (in Australian dollars)

Food items

• Loaf of bread - $3.00
• Litre of milk - $2.10
• Dozen eggs - $4.00
• Instant noodles - $0.80
• BBQ chicken - $7.00-10.00
• 1 kg of rice - $2.50

Services / Entertainment

• Haircut: male - $10.00+
• Haircut: female - $20.00+
• Movie ticket - $7.00-$10.00 (student discount)
• Movie ticket - $15.00 (adult price)
• Restaurant/café meal $8.00-$25.00

*These are approximate costs only and cheaper alternatives may exist at a local market. The average international student in Australia spends about $320 per week on accommodation, food, clothing, entertainment, transport, travel, telephone and incidental costs. While this is a realistic guide, it is important to remember that individual circumstances will vary by location and lifestyle.

Currency and Money

Here’s a guide to money and currency. Australia’s currency is the dollar ($). 100c = $A1. Australia has a stable currency. Note denominations: $100, $50, $20, $10, $5. Coin denominations: $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c.

Currency conversions www.xe.net/ucc

• Travellers’ cheques can be cashed at banks and major hotels.
• ATMs widely available 24 hours a day.
• Major credit cards accepted at shops, hotels, restaurants. Common credit cards include American Express, Bankcard, Diner’s Club, Mastercard and Visa. • Bank hours: 9am to 4pm (Monday to Thursday), 9.30am to 5pm (Friday).
• Bureau de change offer more flexible hours. Currency exchange facilities: at airports, key tourist centres.

Weather

• Spring: September to November - 15-25C (59-77F)
• Summer: December to February - 20-28C (68-83F)
• Autumn: March to May - 16-26C (61-77F)
• Winter: June to August - 11-21C (52-70F)

Public Holidays

School Age Dependents

Students should consider the extra expenses and difficulties associated with bringing their families with them to Australia. Dependents of international students attending government primary and secondary schools in Australia are required to pay tuition fees. For more information about school aged dependants, including school fees that may be incurred See: www.immi.gov.au

Should the student be accompanied by school age dependents, the student must accept responsibility for any primary or secondary school fees. The dependents are not eligible to attend government schools free of charge.

(Source: Gold Coast Tourism) For more information visit www.visitgoldcoast.com/

For more information on Queensland's lifestyle please visit the Queensland Governments web site at www.studyqueensland.qld.edu.au

To view our video testimonials, go to our youtube channel HERE

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  IELTS Preparation

  I'm proud to let everyone know, I am speaking, writing, reading and listening to English because of Imagine Education Australia.

  This is a place that I learnt a lot, not only from a textbook; I learnt Aussie slang, phrasal verbs, idioms, synonyms, how to write essays etc.

  All of the teachers are very friendly, they always give me encouragement, look after me and the other students.

  Even though I have to go back to my own country (Thailand) to do my duty (that I have to do), I promise I will never forget that I used to be Imagine's student, all the lovely teachers, all of my friends and my experience in Australia.

  
  

  Natthaporn Meephian (Manus) - Thailand
  June 2010

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  General English

  Hi, I'm Chiemi, a student who is a member of the Imagine family.

  I've had a marvellous time for around four months here – talking, having a break, attending the activities and of course learning English with my precious friends.

  And I've also made some very close friends here.

  Fortunately, my experience has helped me to take a nice step forward.

  I have a dream that one day I will go and meet my friends in their countries.

  Isn't it a fantastic wish!

  Cheers..

  Chiemi Yoshida - Japan
  May 2010

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  Hairdressing

  "What to say about Dee, I cannot contain it in just a single sentence. She is the best; as a teacher, as a person. I learnt so many things from her, she is very lovely.I just want to say THANKS to her for teaching me so many things.

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  Hospitality

  "Hello, my name is Mai and I am doing the Hospitality Management course. I just started last month and am enjoying my study. I like Imagine because the teachers are very helpful and kind. I can also meet people from many countries here."

  Tokai Mai
  2009

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  Hospitality

  "I have been living in Australia for 3 weeks now and have been left with a positive impression. When I arrived for the first time, I realized everyone is very relaxed. At Imagine, everyone is very friendly and helpful. I am happy that my teacher is Lewis Stevens and know he has a lot of experience in the hospitality industry. I will learn many things from him and look forward to my first job in Australia."

  Zsolt Tettinger
  2009

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  Young Learners

  What do you like about studying at Imagine Education?

  Susan: Good teacher and good study
  Artyom: I love Imagine Education because good teachers and very good.

  What do you study in class?

  Susan: Science, Maths, English and Sport
  Artyom: I think its very hard but little fun

  Susan and Artyom
  2009

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  General English/ Hospitality

  "I really enjoyed studying at Imagine. I made lots of friends and learnt a lot of English. My speaking, listening and even readying have all improved and I am very happy."

  Chen Cheng
  2009

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  Hospitality

  I just finished my Certificate III in Hospitality Commercial Cookery and I already started the Diploma of Hospitality Management. I had a very good experience doing the cooking classes, they were very fun and I learned a lot in the kitchen. I want to thank my 2 teachers Chef Lewis and Chef Rainer for all the support they gave me in this course. They explain to me all my doubts, they answer all my questions and they have been very nice to me throughout the last year. So, thanks very much for this great experience in my life.

  Leonidas Narvarte, Peru

• Hospitality

  Thank you Dee!

  Bhavika Patel
  2010

• Hospitality

  "Hello everyone, I would like to say I'm sorry that I can't say this myself, because I got a new job and I've started today. Well all I can say is thanks to my teachers Marie, Jess, Jamie, Zue and Nick. Thanks for teaching me a new form of communication with people and another form of knowing the world. Thanks very much, this has been a really nice experience in my life. Now I've finished My course but I hope to come back again. For all my friends from Thailand, Chile, Korea, China, and Colombian people thanks because you were such great friends to me. I love you and I hope to see you again somewhere. Kisses."

  Martha
  2009