Education

Education is both a significant employer and economic driver in the Toowoomba region, with around 60 state schools and 25 private schools, including some of Australia’s largest boarding schools.


The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) and TAFE Queensland South West provide critical pathways for students to continue their studies locally, while University of Queensland medicine students also have the opportunity to train locally at its Rural Clinical School near Toowoomba Hospital.

Real Regional Stories

educational excellence

A group of children are sitting at desks in a classroom using laptops.
Two girls are running on a track in front of a building.
A group of girls in school uniforms and hats are sitting on a bench.

St Joseph’s College Toowoomba Principal Jim Brennan has built a rewarding career in regional Queensland across both the public and private school sectors. 


He says he sees a wealth of opportunities for those with a passion for education to do the same in the Toowoomba region. 


“For anybody who is looking to establish a career in the immediate Toowoomba area, the quality and diversity of educational options here is second to none. You have a great career trajectory,” he says. 


“The educational facilities here are mature, they’re very well established, they’re very relational and they have great culture.


“Toowoomba is one of the most competitive places for schools in terms of attracting students, there’s enormous diversity here. I think it would have the highest density of schools per capita, particularly secondary schools, in Queensland if not Australia. You have boarding school options, you have co-educational options, you have faith-based options, you have secular options and they’re all performing well.” 


Brennan credits the early years of his career spent teaching in small rural schools for helping hone his skills and fast-track professional appointments. 


“At a professional level it parachuted me into areas of responsibility that I wouldn’t have always got had I been in a larger centre,” he says. 


“There’s no doubt about that - opportunities abound if you’re prepared to walk through those doors but be prepared to take your A game because every community wants and in my view deserves, what’s offered in a metropolitan or a regional provincial centre like Toowoomba.” 


Brennan has had various leadership roles in the region’s state schools including Head of Department at Oakey State High School and Roma Middle School and Deputy Principal at Toowoomba’s Centenary Heights State High School. 


His next move was to Catholic Education to lead Roma’s St John’s Catholic School as Principal. 


“An opportunity to work in a P-12 school that services the Maranoa just reaffirmed to me the value that rural communities place on education,” Brennan says. 


“I was very pleased to grow the school out there significantly in both student numbers and facilities.” 


Brennan says whether young teachers are working in the public or private system, they are well supported in the Toowoomba region with many initiatives and incentives to attract and retain staff. 

Toowoomba school directory

Check out the extensive education options on offer in region.