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Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS)
Discover how TAFE Queensland leads sustainability in vocational education through live training venues, student-led campaigns, and curriculum-integrated projects. Explore our journey toward STARS Gold accreditation and learn how you can get involved.
Sustainability at Robina campus: Learn. Lead. Live
This name reflects Robina's leadership in vocational sustainability, its hands-on learning environmnets, and its community engagement ethos.
Robina campus is TAFE Queensland’s flagship for sustainability in vocational education. From solar-powered buildings and zero-waste training venues to student-led campaigns and curriculum-integrated projects, sustainability is woven into every aspect of campus life. This page showcases Robina’s journey toward a Gold STARS rating, celebrates the people and partnerships driving change, and invites you to learn, lead, and live sustainably – on campus and beyond.
Sustainability initiatives at Robina campus are coordinated by the Sustainability Officer in collaboration with teaching teams, student support services, and regional leadership. A cross-functional approach ensures integration across curriculum, operations, and student engagement.
STARS progress and reporting
Sustainability performance is monitored through a semester-based dashboard that tracks staff sustainability culture, student sustainability literacy (pre- and post-assessment), participation rates, and key engagement outcomes. This data is used to inform continuous improvement initiatives across the campus.
- Culture survey results
- Literacy survey results
- Participation rates
- Trends over time
STARS Silver rating (2024)
Gold submission goal (2026)
Live training venues
In the heart of Robina where cafes and restaurants abound, finding an establishment that offers a perfect blend of delicious cuisine and affordability can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Nature's Escape Beauty Salon is a beauty therapy training facility that provides the public with an opportunity to enjoy high quality services at great value prices, while contributing to a students' training experience.
Nature's Escape Hair Salon is a hairdressing training facility that provides the public with an opportunity to enjoy high quality services at great value prices, while contributing to a students' training experience.
Quality, locally sourced produce at affordable prices, with an emphasis on sustainability. Located at TAFE Queensland’s Robina campus.
Robina Events Centre is state-of-the art event space which has been developed with sustainability in mind.
Join the inclusive fitness community at TQ Fitness, Robina!
Other initiatives
At Robina campus, sustainability is brought to life through student-led events, campaigns, workshops and community activities. These initiatives encourage students to explore environmental and social responsibility in practical and meaningful ways while building connections with fellow learners and the wider community. Many activities support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and provide opportunities for students to contribute to positive change on campus and beyond.
Circular Economy Campaign
Clothes swaps, Stop and Drop tables, community markets
Students and staff are encouraged to reduce waste and embrace circular economy principles through regular clothing swaps, community markets and Stop and Drop tables.
These initiatives provide opportunities to exchange pre-loved items, reduce consumption and support student wellbeing by making everyday items more accessible.
Impact:
- Diverts reusable items from landfill
- Promotes sustainable habits
- Supports inclusion and student equity
- Encourages peer-to-peer engagement.
Images from the Community Christmas markets.
Earth Day Presentations
Each year, Robina campus celebrates Earth Day through curriculum activities, student projects, presentations, and interactive learning experiences. Students explore environmental challenges and sustainability solutions while considering how they can make a positive impact in their studies, workplaces and communities. Activities are designed to build awareness, encourage action and demonstrate how sustainability can be applied across a wide range of industries and disciplines.
Impact:
- Raises sustainability awareness
- Builds sustainability literacy
- Connects sustainability to future workplaces
- Encourages positive behaviour change
- Provides opportunities for student creativity and self-expression
- Demonstrates sustainability across diverse training areas.
View our Earth Day Student Showcase to see examples of sustainability-themed learning activities completed by students across technology and early childhood education and care programs.
Plastic Free July
During Plastic Free July, students and staff participate in awareness campaigns designed to reduce single-use plastic. Initiatives such as the 'No Waste, Just Taste' campaign in Seedpod Café and Green Fields Bar + Restaurant showcase practical alternatives including compostable packaging and reusable products.
Impact:
- Reduces plastic waste
- Encourages sustainable choices
- Demonstrates circular economy principles
- Supports SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production.
Under 8’s Showcase
Through partnerships with local families and early childhood education programs, students create engaging sustainability-themed experiences for young children.
Activities incorporate nature play, sustainable materials and environmental learning concepts.
Impact:
- Strengthens community connections
- Promotes sustainability education from an early age
- Provides authentic learning experiences for students
- Supports intergenerational engagement.
Sustainability Committee
Students and staff work together through the Sustainability Committee to identify opportunities, lead initiatives and shape the future of sustainability at Robina campus.
Impact:
- Student participation in decision making
- Shared ownership of sustainability outcomes
- Development of leadership skills.
Embedding sustainability into everyday practice
Sustainability at Robina campus is supported by passionate staff and leaders who champion environmental responsibility, social inclusion and continuous improvement. Through governance structures, professional development and collaborative action, staff play a key role in creating a culture where sustainability is part of how we teach, work and lead.
Highlights:
- Sustainability Committee with staff representation
- Staff sustainability training and orientation
- Sustainability included in planning and decision making
- Staff-led campaigns including Containers for Change and Be Green Keep It On Screen
- Leadership participation in TAFE Queensland sustainability networks.
Impact:
- Increased sustainability capability
- Strong staff engagement
- Shared responsibility for sustainability outcomes
- Cross-campus collaboration and innovation.
Green Gown Awards Australasia 2025
Former General Manager Karen Dickinson and Sustainability Officer Eliza Lester represented TAFE Queensland Gold Coast at the Green Gown Awards Australasia 2025, where Robina campus was recognised as Sustainability Institution of the Year. This achievement acknowledges the campus's whole-of-organisation approach to sustainability, encompassing leadership, learning, operations, student engagement and community partnerships. This award reinforces Robina’s position as leader in sustainable vocational education and highlights the collective efforts of staff, students and industry partners.
Impact:
- Recognises excellence in sustainability leadership
- Celebrates staff and student contributions to sustainability outcomes
- Raises the profile of sustainable vocational education
- Demonstrates sector-leading practice and innovation
- Supports continuous improvement and knowledge sharing across the organisation.
Award presentation photo featuring Karen Dickinson and Eliza Lester at the Green Gown Awards Australasia 2025 ceremony.
Preparing students for a sustainable future
Sustainability is embedded across teaching and learning at Robina campus. Students experience sustainability through curriculum, campus operations and real-world training environments. Learning activities help students develop the skills, knowledge and values required to contribute to a more sustainable future in their chosen industry
Examples:
- Sustainability integrated across multiple study areas
- Green Tourism Career Launch program
- Sustainable hospitality practices at Green Fields Bar + Restaurant
- Ethical sourcing and waste reduction embedded into live training venues
- Sustainability literacy development across the student cohort.
Impact:
- Improved sustainability literacy
- Enhanced graduate employability
- Real-world application of sustainability concepts
- Industry-relevant green skills development.
Working together for greater impact
Robina campus collaborates with industry, schools, community organisations and local groups to advance sustainability outcomes. These partnerships provide authentic learning opportunities while helping address real-world environmental and social challenges.
Community partnership guidelines
Community partnerships at Robina Campus are guided by principles of mutual benefit, student learning integration, and measurable sustainability outcomes. Partnerships are established and reviewed through collaboration with internal stakeholders and community organisations to ensure alignment with TAFE Queensland’s sustainability goals.
Partnerships Include:
- Sustainable Salons
- Solar Buddy
- Local schools and childcare centres
- UNICEF fundraising initiatives
- SeventeenX
- Gold Coast Open House
- Community markets and public sustainability events.
Impact:
- Broader community awareness
- Stronger industry connections
- Enhanced student employability
- Shared sustainability outcomes across the region.