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Gold Coast cyber security teams qualify for national grand final
Students from TAFE Queensland’s Coomera Creative campus have made their mark on the national stage, with two cyber security teams qualifying for the 2026 Cyber Battle Australia Grand Final in Melbourne.
The four-hour, high-stakes digital showdown saw Coomera's Team Cavallo finish an impressive 10th overall - the highest-ranked team in Queensland. Team Uncernators also delivered a strong performance, placing 13th. Both teams securing a spot in the top 25 and ticket to the Final.
Students studying the Certificate IV in Cyber Security (22603VIC) competed in the fast-paced Capture the Flag challenge, completing mission-based exercises that required them to detect, defend against, and disrupt simulated cyber threats in real time. Teams collected “flags” within a virtual IT environment using a world-class, NATO-awarded cyber range designed to replicate real-world attack scenarios.
General Manager of TAFE Queensland’s Gold Coast region, Robert Petherbridge, said the event highlights the importance of hands-on, industry-aligned training in preparing the next generation of cyber security professionals.
“In today’s environment, where cyber threats are ever-present, cyber security is no longer optional, it’s a necessity,” said Mr Petherbridge.
“To ensure our students are job-ready, we partner with industry to deliver hands-on training that helps our students hone the technical knowledge and strategic thinking required for high-pressure environments.”
More than 70 teams from across Australia competed for a place in the Grand Final, with only 25 teams qualifying for the six-hour championship event in Melbourne this July.
Mr Petherbridge said competitions like Cyber Battle Australia play a vital role in bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry expectations.
“Australia’s national resilience depends on strong cyber security capability, but the workforce required to support it is still growing,” he said.
“That’s why we work closely with industry to ensure our training reflects current threats, so our graduates are ready to protect organisations from malicious attacks from day one.”
TAFE students made up around 80 per cent of qualified competitors nationwide.
“As the demand for skilled cyber professionals continues to rise, events like this are helping to shape the workforce Australia needs to stay secure into the future,” said Mr Petherbridge.
The Certificate IV in Cyber Security (22603VIC) is fully subsidised through Fee-Free TAFE*.
*Eligibility criteria applies