Shafston

What Shafston does

Shafston International College (Shafston International Pty Ltd) is a private Australian education provider founded in 1996 and headquartered at Kangaroo Point, Brisbane, with additional campuses in Southport on the Gold Coast and in Sydney's CBD. The institution is registered as a CRICOS provider (code 03917H) and as an RTO (code 45694), enabling it to enroll international students on Australian student visas and to issue nationally recognized vocational qualifications. It delivers ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) programs, including General English, Cambridge Exam Preparation, and IELTS Preparation, alongside a VET portfolio spanning Business & Management, Education & Health (notably Early Childhood Education and Care and Individual Support), Information Technology, and Hospitality & Cookery.

The product surface also includes junior programs (High School Preparation, Primary English Preparation, and Summer Holiday Programs), Study Tours for school groups, Demi-Pair + English, an authorized Cambridge Assessment English Exam Centre, a Job Ready Program, and an AI & Robotics Training add-on module. Delivery is face-to-face on three physical campuses with blended and online components supported through the third-party Axcelerate learning management system at shafston.app.axcelerate.com. Students are supported with a homestay accommodation program backed by Blue Card-vetted host families and arrival services including airport pickup and pre-departure briefings.

Shafston generates revenue almost exclusively from international student tuition fees across ELICOS and VET programs, with all pricing conducted on an inquiry basis rather than publicly disclosed. Distribution combines direct online enrollment through the Shafston website, on-campus intake, and a global network of education agents operating through a dedicated agent portal. The institution markets through multilingual brochures, education fairs, and study tour partnerships, targeting international students seeking English proficiency, vocational credentials, junior study options, and pathways into Australian universities.

Name

Shafston

Legal name

Shafston International Pty Ltd

Website

https://shafston.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Shafston International College is a private Australian ELICOS and VET provider founded in 1996, operating three campuses in Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sydney to deliver English language, vocational, and junior programs to international students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

English Language and Vocational Education

NAICS

Language Schools (611630), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Exam Preparation Language Programs (IELTS/TOEFL/DELE/DALF/HSK, etc.) (EDAIAEAD), Short-Term & Summer/Winter Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAF), Third-Party Short-Term Academic Program Providers (Multi-Discipline) (EDAIAIAB)

Keywords

• English language courses
• ELICOS programs
• Vocational education training
• International student services
• Cambridge exam preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

Brisbane

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. International Student Tuition Fees: Shafston generates revenue primarily through tuition fees charged to international students for ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) and VET (Vocational Education and Training) programs. Programs include General English, Cambridge Exam Preparation, IELTS Preparation, and vocational courses in Business, IT, Early Childhood Education, Hospitality, and more.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Shafston International College delivers ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) and VET (Vocational Education and Training) programs to international students across three Australian campuses in Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sydney. Programs include General English, Cambridge Exam Preparation, IELTS Preparation, vocational qualifications in Business & Management, Education & Health, Information Technology, and Hospitality & Cookery, as well as junior programs, study tours, and an authorized Cambridge Exam Centre.

Product overview

Shafston International College is an ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) and VET (Vocational Education and Training) provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services across multiple campuses in Australia. The core offering consists of English language courses (General English, Cambridge Exam Preparation, IELTS Preparation), vocational courses across four main disciplines (Business & Management, Education & Health, Information Technology, and Hospitality & Cookery), and junior/ youth programs including school preparation courses, summer holiday programs, and study tours. The institution also operates an authorized Cambridge Exam Centre and provides pathways to university education. The product portfolio includes face-to-face classroom delivery, blended learning options with online components, and vocational placement components for practical industry experience. Students can access support services including homestay accommodation, career development programs, and student portals through integrated technology platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• English Courses (ELICOS) Comprehensive English language courses for beginners to advanced learners including General English, Cambridge Exam Preparation, and IELTS Preparation, designed for international students seeking English proficiency for academic, career, or migration purposes.
• Vocational Courses - Business & Management Business and management vocational programs including Certificate IV in Business, Diploma of Leadership and Management, Diploma of Project Management, and Advanced Diploma of Business, providing internationally recognized qualifications for international students seeking careers in business.
• Vocational Courses - Education & Health Education and health vocational programs including Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, Certificate III in Individual Support, and Diploma of Community Services, targeting international students seeking careers in childcare, education, and community services.
• Vocational Courses - Information Technology IT vocational programs including Certificate IV in Information Technology and Diploma of Information Technology, covering web development, cloud computing, and cybersecurity for international students pursuing IT careers.
• Cookery & Hospitality Package Combined Certificate IV in Kitchen Management and Diploma of Hospitality Management package with hands-on practical training in on-campus kitchen facilities, preparing international students for careers in commercial cookery and hospitality.
• Junior Programs - Schools Program (HSP/PEP) Programs for junior students including High School Preparation (HSP) and Primary English Preparation (PEP) to prepare international students for entry into the Australian school system.
• Summer Holiday Programs Summer holiday programs for young learners aged 6-17 combining English lessons with activities and excursions across Brisbane and Sydney campuses.
• Study Tours Study Tour programs combining English language learning with cultural exploration and group travel experiences, tailored for school groups and educational organisations.
• Demi-Pair + English Program Program combining living with a local host family while gaining work experience and improving English skills, typically 15-20 hours per week of light household duties and childcare.
• University Pathway Program Programs providing pathways to further study at Australian universities through vocational education completion and English proficiency.
• Cambridge Exam Centre Authorised Cambridge ESOL examination centre offering Cambridge English exams including C2 Proficiency, C1 Advanced, B2 First, and B1 Preliminary, with exams recognized by over 20,000 universities, employers, and governments worldwide.
• Homestay Accommodation Student homestay program connecting international students with local Australian host families for accommodation and cultural immersion, with families vetted through valid Blue Cards (Working with Children Check).

Quantifiable outcome

• Cambridge exams recognized by over 20,000 universities, companies, and governments worldwide

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Australian Government - Department of EducationcoreOthersShafston is a registered CRICOS provider (CRICOS Provider Code: 03917H) and RTO (RTO Code: 45694) regulated by Australian government education authorities. Covered by the Tuition Protection Service (TPS) for international students.
• Cambridge Assessment EnglishcoreTechnology or IntegrationShafston Cambridge Exam Centre (SCEC) is an authorized Centre for Cambridge ESOL examinations in Australia, certified to deliver C2 Proficiency, C1 Advanced, B2 First, B1 Preliminary, and school-level Cambridge exams.
• Homestay FamiliescoreOthersNetwork of homestay families in Australia who provide accommodation and cultural exchange opportunities for international students. Families must hold valid Blue Cards (Working with Children Check) and meet eligibility requirements.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EC English Language Centres: EC English is a global chain of English language schools with locations in Australia offering General English, IELTS, and Cambridge exam preparation to international students. Closely comparable to Shafston's core ELICOS offering and target demographic.
• Navitas: Navitas is a leading global education provider with extensive English language (ELICOS) and vocational pathway programs in Australia, serving international students across multiple campuses. It is the most direct large-scale peer to Shafston in Australian international education and pathway delivery.
• ILSC Education Group: ILSC is a Canada-headquartered international language school group with Australian campuses offering General English, exam prep, and pathway programs to international students. Comparable in scale, product mix, and Australian east-coast positioning to Shafston.
• Study Group: Study Group is a global pathway provider with Australian operations offering English language preparation and vocational/foundation programs to international students, with university articulation partnerships. Comparable to Shafston's pathway-focused VET and ELICOS model.
• Kaplan International: Kaplan International operates English language schools and pathway programs globally, including in Australia, targeting international students seeking English training and university preparation. Directly comparable to Shafston in ELICOS product mix and international student focus.
• English Language Company (ELC): ELC is an Australian English language school with Sydney-based operations targeting international students with General English, exam preparation, and pathway programs. Comparable mid-sized Australian ELICOS provider to Shafston.
• Lexis English: Lexis English is an Australian ELICOS provider with multiple east-coast campuses offering General English, Cambridge, and IELTS preparation to international students. Closely comparable in scale, geography, and product focus to Shafston.

Regional players

• TAFE Queensland: TAFE Queensland is the Queensland government's vocational education provider offering VET qualifications across the same disciplines Shafston covers (business, IT, hospitality, community services). Comparable as a vocational peer in Shafston's core Brisbane/Gold Coast market.

Broad incumbents

• IDP Education: IDP Education is a global international student placement and English testing company with extensive Australian operations. Comparable as a broader incumbent that influences international student recruitment flows, including those feeding into Shafston's enrollments.
• INTO University Partnerships: INTO is a large-scale international education provider focused on university pathway partnerships, with English language preparation as part of a broader portfolio. A broader incumbent peer offering overlapping capabilities but specializing in direct university partnerships rather than independent multi-discipline VET.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/shafston
• Facebookfacebook.com/shafston
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shafston-international-college

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shafston