Creating opportunities since 1976
110+ Scholarships
Scholarship recipients supported.
20+ Countries
Countries explored.
Multiple Industries
From automotive and construction to fashion and hospitality
50+ Years
Supporting Queensland talent globally.
Real Outcomes, Real Careers
See how QOF programs translate into real-world impact across Queensland
Caitlin Baxter.
2025 Scholarship Awardee
“Embrace the experience, leaving your family and friends behind can be very daunting but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you should fully immerse yourself into it.”
2025 QOF Awardee Caitlin Baxter undertook her scholarship in the United Kingdom, working as a Pastry Chef and Demi Chef de Partie at the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel, within the Vellore Restaurant.
Wayne Costain.
2024 Bursary Winner
“Thank you for this incredible opportunity. Your generous contribution has enabled me to expand my skills and knowledge, immerse myself in global trends, and build valuable connections with industry leaders from around the world.”
Wayne attended an intensive training camp on mastering water-based ink techniques, significantly enhancing his screen printing skills while advancing sustainable practices.
Beh Wattenberg.
2020 Bursary Winner Teacher
“The experience was so great, I learnt a lot and have been sharing the knowledge in all my places of work”
As part of the Queensland Overseas Foundation Scholarship, Beh toured Signify in Germany, gaining firsthand insight into cutting-edge lighting technologies. Highlights included Nature Connect, a Digital Skylight system designed for wellbeing in work and care environments, and INTERACT, an advanced, cloud-connected lighting control system.
More than individual success
Every QOF scholarship and bursary creates benefits beyond the recipient.
Participants return to Queensland with:
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international industry knowledge
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new technologies and practices
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professional networks
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leadership skills
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broader global perspectives
These experiences help strengthen industries, workplaces and communities throughout Queensland.
Past QOF Global Connections Bursary Recipients
The QOF Global Connections Bursary was first awarded in 2014 and since that time our Bursaries have supported vocational education and training professionals from a broad spectrum of training sectors to attend conferences, study tours and work-shadowing experiences all over the world.
| Year of Award | Name | Employer and Position | Destination | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Nasrin Bano Abusali | TAFE Queensland - Education and Training – Dentistry | Tokyo, Japan | The 2nd World Conference on Education and Training (WCET 2025) |
| 2025 | Tanu Jayaswal | Australian International Islamic College - Education and Training | India | Visit to the College of Vocational Studies (CVS) |
| 2025 | Snezhana Chernova | TAFE Queensland - Education and Training | Valencia, Spain | Attending the 19th International Technology, Education and Development Conference (INTED2026) |
| 2024 | Wayne Costain | PSI Screenprinting | Texas, USA | Attended the training camp on mastering water-based ink techniques |
| 2024 | Caroline Matthews | TAFE Queensland - Education and Training - Fashion | Japan | 3D CAD and Shima Seiki |
| 2015 | Ms Julie Scott | Simple Solutions Training and Consulting, Industry Trainer and Assessor | Tauranga, New Zealand | Attendance at the National Tertiary Learning & Teaching Conference 2015 |
| 2014 | Ms Jenny Field | Evocca College, Advisor to the Board | Helsinki, Finland and St Petersburg, Russia | Attendance and participation at the International Vocational Education Training Association Conference |
| 2015 | Ms Cassandra Baker | TAFE Queensland Brisbane (Southbank), Workplace Training Officer – Bakery | Villepinte, France | Attendance at the Europain – International Baking Trade show |
| 2015 | Mr Lewis Moore | TAFE Queensland, Gold Coast; Teacher / Program Developer | Singapore and Malaysia | Fact finding visit to Singapore Polytechnic Institute |
| 2015 | Mr Paul Marshall | TAFE Queensland SkillsTech, Teacher – Electrotechnology (Refrigeration & Air Conditioning) | Vietnam – Ha Noi, Than Hoa, Da Nang, HCM | Study tour of Vietnam as a volunteer English tutor |
| 2016 | Mr Jedd Sparks | Howell Davies Welding | Atlanta, USA | Attendance at the FABTECH Exhibition |
| 2016 | Mr Carl Balke | TAFE Queensland SkillsTech, Lead Vocational Teacher Refrigeration and Air Conditioning | Nuremburg, Germany | International exhibition for the Refrigeration, Air Conditioning & Ventilation and Heat Pumps sectors |
| 2017 | Judy Hoskins | Peak Training & Consulting | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Attendance and presentation at the 3rd International Conference on Public Health |
| 2017 | Cassandra McIntyre | Cairns School of Distance Education | China, Hong Kong | Tourism Confucius Institute Study Tour |
Past QOF Scholarship Recipients
Since 1976 Queensland Overseas Foundation has assisted more than 110 young Queenslanders to travel overseas and advance their career through work experience and other professional development activities.
Scholarships have been awarded to fashion designers, butchers, sheet metal workers, auto mechanics, electricians, chefs and more!
These opportunities have benefited the individuals in their own career aspirations as well as their local community and Queensland as a whole through deeper global connections and the new knowledge and skills returned to the State.
| Year | Name | Trade | Origin | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Ben Nedwich | Business Administration | Bundaberg | |
| 2017 | Justin Wade | Butcher | Allora | United Kingdom |
| 2017 | Adrian Clark | Bricklayer | Rocksberg | United Kingdom |
| 2016 | Annaleese Cochrane | Fashion Design | Alexandra Hills | Canada |
| 2016 | Charl Pierre du Plessis | Diesel Fitting | Mount Nathan | |
| 2015 | Russell Routledge | Sheet Metal | Redlands | Canada |
| 2015 | Timo Pretorius | Electrician | Gladstone | |
| 2015 | Adelaide Pollock | Fashion Design | Brisbane | Hong Kong |
| 2015 | Byron Allsopp | Meat Retailing | Meringandan | United Kingdom |
| 2013 | Richard Pascoe | Cookery | Highfields | Manchester, England |
| 2013 | Rhiannon Pittard | Bakery | Mount Sheridan | London |
| 2013 | Mostyn Higgs | Construction | Albany Creek | Dubai |
| 2012 | Rhys Walsh-Tindall | IT & Network Support | Chinchilla | Singapore |
| 2012 | Jessica Parker | Business Services | Bundaberg | London |
| 2011 | Simon Ryan | Electro Technology Systems Electrician | Toowoomba | England |
| 2011 | Sheridan Vigers | Make Up Artist | Nudgee | England |
| 2011 | Caitlyn Paustain | Fashion Design | Seven Hills | England |
| 2011 | Ashley Naumann | Jeweller | Caloundra | Italy/UK |
| 2011 | Phoebe Younger | Fashion Design | Toowoomba | England |
| 2010 | Amiee Kahl | Fashion Design | Redcliffe | England |
| 2010 | Megan Todd | Fashion Design | Helensvale | England |
| 2010 | Nicholas Petridis | Landscape Architecture | Morningside | Scotland |
| 2010 | Geordan Bauer | Meat Retailing | Bundaberg | Germany |
| 2009 | Daniel McGaw | Electro Technology Systems Electrician | Toowoomba | Ireland |
| 2009 | Leo Primus | Project Management | Gold Coast | Malaysia |
| 2009 | Abigail Fincham | Fashion Design | Graceville | England |
| 2008 | Aysha Oliver | Fashion Design | Morningside | England |
| 2008 | Tammy Cole | Pastry Chef | Regents Park | Scotland |
| 2008 | Cassandra Blyth | Commis Chef | Townsville | England |
| 2007 | Jessica Dowdle | Hospitality Management | Noosa Heads | England |
| 2007 | Stephanie Christiansen | Hospitality Management | Bardon | Canada |
| 2007 | Joshua Stemm | Light Vehicle Automotive Mechanic | Aspley | Dubai |
| 2006 | Ranu Obaha | Hospitality Operations | Yeerongpilly | England |
| 2005 | Richard Ousby | Commercial Cookery | Wilston | England |
| 2004 | Cheryl Callender | Commercial Cookery | Cairns | France |
| 2003 | Shaune Achurch | Greenkeeper | Bunderberg | USA |
| 2003 | Jacinta Olde-Byvank | Interior Design and Decoration | Marsden | England |
| 2003 | Ryan Malsem | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning | Cairns | Europe |
| 2002 | Elizabeth Weatherhead | Hairdresser | Rochedale | England |
| 2002 | Luke Hinton | Carpenter | Yeppoon | Indonesia/Peru |
| 2001 | Daniel Chritchlow | Chef | Gold Coast | England |
| 2001 | Carla Uebergang | Interior Design and Decoration | Loganlea | England |
| 2001 | Paul Nesbit | Panel Beater | Cairns | Canada |
| 2000 | David Whitrod | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning | New Farm | England |
| 1999 | Rory Little | Fitter and Turner | Rochedale | Canada |
| 1999 | Michael Davis | Fitter and Turner | Tully | South Africa |
| 1998 | Narissa Ruddick | Hairdresser | Townsville | England |
| 1998 | Les Airs | Elecrical Fitter/Mechanic | Kingaroy | Europe |
| 1997 | Jay Morrison | Plumber and Gas Fitter | Moura | Canada |
| 1997 | Cassandra Baker | Pastry Cook | Stafford Heights | England |
| 1997 | Paul Carruthers | Instrument Fitter | Childers | Canada |
| 1996 | Brian Coleman | Sheet Metal Worker | Greenslopes | Canada |
| 1995 | Benjamin Tracy | Jeweller | Mudgeeraba | England |
| 1995 | Sarah Cooper | Cook | Oxenford | Switzerland |
| 1995 | Peter Burton | Electrical Fitter/Mechanic | Mount Isa | England |
| 1994 | Nathan Van De Belt | Cook | Mount Coolum | South Korea |
| 1993 | Rebecca Chadwick | Haidresser | Gold Coast | England |
| 1993 | Scott Wightman | Heavy Vehicle Mechanic | Jimboomba | USA |
| 1993 | Angelo Leonforte | Cook | Hamilton Island | Italy |
| 1993 | Juania McDermott | Cook | Brisbane | England |
| 1992 | Allison Andrea | Graphics Reproducer | Kingaroy | USA |
| 1992 | Sandra Smith | Hairdresser | Taroom | England |
| 1992 | Sean Hill | Heavy Vehicle Mechanic | Brisbane | USA |
| 1992 | Brendt Halliday | Moulder | Brisbane | Scotland |
| 1991 | Andrew McDicken | Refrigeration Mechanic | Jimboomba | USA |
| 1991 | Aaron Maree | Pastry Cook | Coorparoo | England |
| 1991 | Allison Achilles | Cook | Camp Hill | England |
| 1991 | Stanton Thomsen | Fitter and Turner | Brisbane | USA |
| 1990 | Samantha Milosevic | Fashion Designer | Brisbane | England |
| 1990 | Lachlan Riddel | Motor Mechanic | Lower Beechmont | England |
| 1989 | Dianne Clark | Graphic Artist | Brisbane | England |
| 1989 | Grant Behrendorff | Electrical Fitter/Mechanic | Cairns | Canada |
| 1988 | Cameron Haylock | Sheet Metal Worker | Brisbane | England |
| 1988 | Dwayne McClintock | Fitter and Turner | Rocklea | Canada |
| 1988 | Sandra Graham | Hairdresser | Cairns | Canada/USA |
| 1988 | Stephen Clark | Electrical Fitter/Mechanic | Clermont | England |
| 1987 | Kim Langford | Optical Mechanic | Toowoomba | Canada |
| 1987 | Gerard Carter | Electrical Fitter/Mechanic | Mackay | Canada |
| 1987 | Brett Otto | Fitter and Turner | Bunderberg | Germany/UK |
| 1987 | Bruce Parkes | Electrical Fitter/Mechanic | Townsville | USA |
| 1986 | Kevin Rayfield | Electrical Fitter/Mechanic | Blackwater | USA |
| 1986 | Paul Vonhoff | Carpenter and Joiner | ||
| 1986 | Scott Lobston | Electrical Fitter/Mechanic | ||
| 1985 | Glenn Frettingham | Motor Mechanic | Brisbane | |
| 1985 | Stephen Bower | Electrical Fitter/Mechanic | Gladstone | |
| 1984 | Geoffrey Hupfield | Signwriter | Gold Coast | USA |
| 1983 | Toimi Puusarri | Electrical Fitter/Mechanic | Mount Isa | Canada/USA |
| 1983 | Gordon Van Der Est | Motor Mechanic | Beenleigh | |
| 1981 | Ray Carnie | Watchmaker | Brisbane | |
| 1981 | Bruce Irwin | Graphics Reproducer | Brisbane | |
| 1981 | Paul Walsh | Electrical Fitter/Mechanic | Moranbah | |
| 1980 | Carey Henry | Electrical Fitter/Mechanic | Mount Isa | Canada |
| 1980 | Lindsey Weber | Bread Baker | Toowoomba | |
| 1980 | Gordon Osborne | Radio and TV Technician | ||
| 1980 | William Kraft | Carpenter | Hervey Bay | England |
| 1980 | Albert Turner | Electrical Fitter/Mechanic | Gladstone | |
| 1979 | Mark Tierney | Electrical Fitter/Mechanic | Brisbane | |
| 1979 | Stewart Shannon | Radio and TV Mechanic | Toowoomba | |
| 1979 | Christopher Hocking | Lithographic Camera Operator | Brisbane | |
| 1979 | Anthony Dutton | Composing Motor Mechanic | Cairns | |
| 1979 | Peter Fahey | Cook | Kangaroo Point | Switzerland |
| 1978 | Myles Breitkrewtz | Motor Mechanic | Moura | USA |
| 1978 | Ian Woods | Sheet Metal Worker | Brisbane | England |
| 1978 | Mark Neale | Motor Mechanic | Karalee | USA |
| 1977 | John Aquilina | Electrician | Brisbane | |
| 1977 | Eric Organ-Moore | Refrigeration Mechanic | Brisbane | England |
| 1976 | Ross Patrick | Electrician | Brisbane | USA |
| 1976 | Walter Billingham | Fitter and Turner | Cairns | England |
Ready to write your own story?
Explore QOF scholarships and bursaries and discover where global experience could take you.