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TAFE Queensland’s Cyber Stars Shine at National Grand Final
TAFE Queensland’s cyber security students have proven they can hold their own on the national stage, with one team earning a top-three finish at the 2025 Cyber Battle Australia Grand Final in Melbourne.
After dominating the May qualifying round, three teams from TAFE Queensland’s South Bank campus - Macrodata Refinement, Brain Dead, and 404 Not Found - travelled to Melbourne to compete in a six-hour, high-stakes, in-person Capture the Flag (CTF) showdown against the country’s best.
The event brought together finalists from across Australia, including universities and industry teams, to test their cyber skills in a world-class NATO-awarded cyber range environment.
Participants were challenged to identify and exploit vulnerabilities, solve security puzzles, and defend virtual networks - all in real time.
Among the standout performers was TAFE Queensland’s 404 Not Found, comprised of cyber security students Daniel May, Lily Cabassi and Jaxon Watt, who secured third place overall, making them the highest-placing TAFE Queensland team in the competition.
They were joined by Macrodata Refinement, who placed seventh, and Brain Dead, who tied for 18th/19th place.
Educational Team Leader Apsara Karandawala said the results were a testament to the strength of TAFE Queensland’s cyber training and the resilience of its students.
“To come third in a national final dominated by university and industry teams is an incredible achievement,” said Apsara.
“Our students demonstrated technical skills, teamwork, professionalism and real-world readiness. We’re incredibly proud of them.”
The success didn’t stop at the leaderboard. Students made the most of networking opportunities, connecting with cyber industry leaders, sponsors, and potential employers during breaks.
“The students were professional, engaged, and genuinely excited to be part of such a prestigious event. They represented TAFE Queensland with pride,” Apsara added.
The event marked the conclusion of Cyber Battle Australia 2025, and Apsara is hopeful of possibly hosting a grand finale in Brisbane in the future.
“Hosting the Cyber Battle Australia Grand Final at our Cyber Security Training Operation Centre at South Bank would be an incredible opportunity to showcase the strength of our facilities and training to a national audience,” said Apsara.
“It would reflect the investment we’ve made in real-world learning environments and offer our students a potential home-ground advantage. We’d certainly welcome the opportunity if it came our way.”
This year's results highlight the calibre of cyber training at TAFE Queensland and the growing presence of vocational students in Australia’s cyber landscape - ready to protect, defend, and innovate in a rapidly evolving digital world.