The National Fishing Industry Education Centre (Natfish) is an innovative, flexible training centre. We offer a variety of accredited certificate and short courses for marine and freshwater industries covering aquaculture, seafood, marine studies and recreational fishing services.
Courses are taught by highly qualified teachers with extensive industry experience, using up to date equipment and practices. The centre has been recognised for excellence in flexible delivery through various awards including a National Best Practice Award.
Natfish is part of one of the leading training and education providers in Australia, TAFE NSW - North Coast Institute. Unprecidented twice winner of the NSW Large Training Provider of the Year Award in 2004 & 2005, and winner of the 2004 Australian Large Training Provider of the Year Award.
To find out more about Natfish and the services we offer explore some of the links below or use the Global Navigation Above.
 |
Aquaculture is a growing industry in Australia, increasing at a rate of around 4% per annum and worth over $730 million (ABARE). Natfish plays a major role in preparing aquaculture newcomers to operate efficiently, avoid the pitfalls and problems that troubled many industry pioneers. |
We offer short courses, traineeships and Certificate II through to Diploma level courses, designed for farm workers through to managers and owner operators. The mix of distance education and practical workshop blocks at Natfish makes the courses accesible to students across Australia.
 |
The majority of Australia's inhabitants live along its enormous coastline. Marine industries such as shipping, recreational boating, commercial and recreational fishing, aquaculture, eco-tourism and associated support organisations and government authorities offer a variety of employment opportunities. |
The marine studies program allows learners to sample major marine industry sectors while gaining practical work focussed skills. The program creates a convenient pathway between marine studies programs offered in secondary schools and university degrees in marine science. It is also designed as a means for university graduates to gain hands on skills in practical areas such as diving and boating handling.
 |
Fisheries are Australia's 5th most valuable rural industry. The post harvest sector relies on a large workforce to process, wholesale and retail seafood products. |
Seafood courses are delivered by a mixture of flexible work-based training and distance education with some classroom sessions where appropriate. The benefit of this approach is the focus is on recognising and formalising skills that a participant already uses and/or has learnt on the job and providing targeted training in the areas where needed.
 |
Australians go fishing more often than spending time at any other recreational sport or pastime. Anglers contribute to retail turnover to the tune of $550 million per annum in NSW alone. |
The Recreational Fishing Services courses take people who have an interest in fishing and gives them skills they need to make a career in the industry. The courses prepare learners for employment in a support role for this sport through retail, wholesale, guiding or charter work.
Offered in a flexible workshop format combined with home study the course is easily accessible. The course is unique in its location for practical sessions on the Lower Clarence, with access to some of the best fishing on the NSW coast.
 |
The North Coast Insitute supports Natfish students with a wide range of services including library services, counselling , disability services, tutorial support and aboriginal student support. These services can be accessed both while students are on campus or by phone. |
