Social media chatter claiming TAFE arts courses are being axed across the Northern Rivers is misleading, according to the region’s state MP, with more than 40 arts course offerings planned across seven campuses next year.
From Kingscliff to Grafton, students will be able to study everything from music and screen to fashion, ceramics, and photography in Semester 1, 2027. Qualifications range from Certificate III right up to a Bachelor of Creative Practice at Murwillumbah.
“People have raised concerns with me about the future of TAFE arts courses after seeing Facebook posts about cuts to courses, but this is misleading,” said Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin.
“There are courses that haven’t been run in recent years because of low or no enrolments, including the Certificate IV in Music and Advanced Diploma in Art.”
Neither of those two courses appears on the 2027 list.
“There are courses from Certificate III level to Diploma in music and music production, screen and media, visual arts, design and fashion, ceramics, photography and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts,” Saffin said.
“The extensive list of arts courses across Northern Rivers campuses, from Kingscliff to Lismore and down to Grafton, shows that the arts and arts education have a healthy future here.”
Lismore has the biggest offering, with 12 courses. Here is what is planned for Semester 1, 2027.
Lismore
- Certificate III in Aboriginal And/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts
- Certificate III in Music
- Certificate III in Screen and Media
- Certificate III in Visual Arts
- Certificate IV in Design
- Certificate IV in Screen and Media
- Certificate IV in Live Production and Technical Services
- Diploma of Ceramics
- Diploma of Graphic Design
- Diploma of Music
- Diploma of Screen and Media
- Diploma of Visual Arts
Wollongbar
- Certificate III in Apparel, Fashion and Textiles
- Diploma of Apparel, Fashion and Textiles
- Certificate IV in Live Production and Technical Services
Kingscliff
- Diploma of Screen and Media
- Certificate III in Screen and Media
- Certificate IV in Screen and Media
- Diploma of Graphic Design
- Certificate III in Apparel, Fashion and Textiles
- Certificate III in Design Fundamentals
- Certificate IV in Design
- Certificate IV in Photography and Digital Imaging
Murwillumbah
- TAFE Statement in Open Studio Practice – Ceramics
- Bachelor of Creative Practice
- Diploma of Visual Arts
- TAFE Statement in Ceramics Foundation – Basic Skills/Techniques
- Certificate III in Visual Arts
- Diploma of Ceramics
Ballina
- Certificate III in Apparel, Fashion and Textiles
Byron Bay
- Certificate III in Screen and Media
- Certificate III in Visual Arts
- Certificate III in Live Production and Technical Services
- Certificate III in Design Fundamentals
- Certificate III in Music
Grafton
- Certificate III in Live Production and Technical Services
- Certificate III in Music
- Certificate III in Screen and Media
- Certificate IV in Screen and Media
- Diploma of Music
- TAFE Statement in Music – Sound Production
“Our region has a reputation for a vibrant creative arts and creative industries sector, and TAFE courses continue to play a big part in that,” Saffin said.
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