Business Liaison Association

12/06/2026

What an incredible 2026 Cairns Career Expo!

A shout out to our schools, teachers and students!

With 130 exhibitors, approximately 4,500 students, and members of the public attending, the event was a fantastic showcase of opportunities, inspiration, and career exploration.

A special thank you to our 32 schools who attended, teachers, and students for your commitment, enthusiasm, and time in attending the Expo.

Your willingness to engage, ask questions, and explore future career pathways is what makes this event so valuable and successful.

We would also like to acknowledge the outstanding behaviour of the students throughout the event. Many exhibitors commented on how polite, respectful, and engaged students were when visiting their booths.

The genuine interest shown in learning about industries, training pathways, and career opportunities made a lasting impression on our exhibitors.

To our teachers and school staff, thank you for supporting students in making the most of this experience and helping them connect with opportunities that may shape their futures.

On behalf of Business Liaison Association (BLA), thank you for contributing to such a positive and successful event.

We look forward to welcoming you all back in 2027! 🎉

Thank you FrontRow Foto you truly captured some magical moments :)

12/06/2026

Wow! What an amazing 2026 Cairns Careers Expo!

A thank you to all of our Exhibitors!

With 130 exhibitors and approximately 4,500 students, along with members of the public attending, the event was a tremendous success.

A huge thank you to all of our exhibitors. The effort, creativity, and thought you put into your booths provided students with valuable opportunities to engage, explore, and gather important information about their future career pathways.

The students responded enthusiastically, thanks to the warmth, professionalism, and expertise you brought to the event. Your commitment to supporting the next generation is truly appreciated.

On behalf of Business Liaison Association (BLA), thank you for helping make the Cairns Career Expo such a memorable and impactful experience.

We look forward to welcoming you back in 2027! 🎉

Thank you FrontRow Foto, you created some magical photos :)

02/06/2026

A big thank you to all our raffle prize donors and supporters for tomorrow's Careers Expo Meet & Greet. Your generosity and support are greatly appreciated. We look forward to seeing you there!

We are very excited to see everyone else on Thursday, 4th June 2026 for this year's Cairns Careers Expo, 8.30am-3.30pm.

See you then!

31/05/2026

Welcome to ARC Disability!

ARC Disability is Cairns’ largest independent local NDIS service provider, proudly offering “more than just support” for 50 years.

Driven to make a positive impact in the lives of people with disability? Visit us at the Cairns Careers Expo on Thursday, 4 June 2026 to explore career pathways with our team.

We’ll also have branded giveaways, including bags, lip balm, hand sanitiser, and lots of lollies!

Learn more:

ARC Disability Services is a leading disability support provider, servicing people living with a disability in Cairns for over 45 years.

27/05/2026

International speaker Dave Frees Business Black Ops, alongside Professor Anthony Gray from Bond University and Tessa Muhling from Rose Litigation Lawyers inspired students and educators alike through a series of engaging events hosted by the Business Liaison Association.

Last week, the speakers delivered dynamic presentations to more than 160 students at the 2026 Breakfast with the Law, sharing valuable insights into legal careers, leadership, communication, negotiation, and high-performance thinking.

Dave Frees captivated students with practical strategies drawn from his extensive experience across business, legal, military, and intelligence sectors, while Professor Anthony Gray’s much-loved Great Debate once again proved to be a standout session — getting students involved, engaged, and rowdy in the best possible way!

Students also heard from Tessa Muhling, Associate at Rose Litigation Lawyers and Vice President of Queensland Young Lawyers for 2026, who shared her journey into law and encouraged students to pursue their goals, even if their pathway is not always straightforward.

A huge thank you to our valued sponsors and supporters, including Bond University and BEAQ Inc, for helping make opportunities like this possible for young people across our region.

Cairns State High School The BUSY School - Cairns Campus Gordonvale State High School Newman Catholic College, Smithfield St Augustine's College St Monica's College, Cairns Trinity Bay State High School Woree State High School

Thank you also to all guest speakers, schools, sponsors, and students who contributed to the success of this year’s event.

27/05/2026

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/with-just-over-two-weeks-until-we-kick-off-share-7465196996560203776-HMBQ/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAFBY0OcBbWlPlO3xB6Xh6o9r4U-2tHyiBbQ

With just over two weeks until we kick off recruitment for our 2027 apprentice intake, it was great to talk electrical trade opportunities with young people at the NRL Cowboys House careers day. Our Apprentice Program Leader Adrian Goldsworthy and Community Engagement Senior Advisor Kate Austin met....

26/05/2026

Welcome to the 2026 Cairns Careers Expo
4 June 2026. 8.30am-3.30pm

Fresh Start Academy

BLA is proud to support Fresh Start Academy and welcome them back to the 2026 Cairns Careers Expo.

Fresh Start Academy is a community-driven initiative focused on empowering young people through vocational training, mentoring, and early intervention support. Their barbering program provides hands-on training in a fully operational social enterprise barber shop, helping participants build confidence, practical skills, and pathways into employment.

Upcoming Barber Program Intake

The next intake for the Fresh Start Academy Barber Program will be starting soon. Over the coming weeks, the team will be contacting young people who have been referred or who have already expressed interest.

Learn more about Fresh Start Academy here:
https://freshstartacademy.com.au/

Visit the Fresh Start Academy stand to learn about:
Barber training opportunities
Pathways into employment and further education
Mentoring and wellbeing support
Skills development and confidence building
Community engagement initiatives
FREE Haircuts at the Expo!

With parent/guardian consent, students attending the Expo can receive a FREE haircut from the Fresh Start Academy team.

Fresh Start Academy has become well known across Far North Queensland for providing free community haircuts while helping young people gain real-world barbering experience and employment pathways.

Come and meet the team and find out more about this exciting opportunity!

Skills for Success, Support for Life

26/05/2026

Welcome to Travel and Leisure Co to the 2026 Cairns Careers Expo
4 June 2026, 8.30am - 3.30pm.

Come and discover the exciting career opportunities available with Travel + Leisure Co. across a range of locations in the region.

Visit our stand to:

Learn about entry-level roles and career pathways
Explore our training and development programs
Discover opportunities for internal growth and progression
Find out what it’s like to work in a culture focused on:
Care
Fun
Opportunity
Impact

We’ll also be sharing information about the many benefits of working at Travel + Leisure Co. and what makes our workplace unique.

Pick up some promotional goodies including:

Pens
Fans
Frisbees
Luggage tags
Water bottles
Lollies
…and more!

Come and get to know the Travel + Leisure Co. team — we look forward to meeting you!

Discover T+L, a global travel and leisure company inspiring journeys through trusted brands, membership experiences, and vacation ownership, plus corporate information for investors, partners, and media.

26/05/2026

Welcome to the 2026 Cairns Career Expo
4 June 2026

Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF)

Come and speak with us about our internship and graduate programs, offering opportunities that are unique in the finance sector in northern Australia.

At our stand, students can take part in our interactive “Build Northern Australia” mini challenge, where they will move project images around a giant map of northern Australia to decide what types of infrastructure projects they would invest in — and where — to help strengthen the region.

We’ll also be showcasing:

What it’s like to work at NAIF
Career pathways in infrastructure and finance
Internship and graduate opportunities
Takeaway resources including:
Quarterly snapshots
FAQs
QR codes to our careers page and newsletter sign-up

We look forward to meeting you at the Expo!

NAIF provides financing for infrastructure projects in northern Australia delivering public benefit through economic growth, jobs, and Indigenous outcomes.

26/05/2026

Welcome to the Cairns Careers Expo

4 June 2026. 8.30am-3.30pm

Cairns Hospital Orthopaedics

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service

Explore orthopaedic implant models, view career flyers, and chat with the team about pathways into orthopaedics and healthcare.