Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Fashion & Textiles

Delivering the fashion and textile jobs of the future.

About the Centre

Two of Australia’s leading educators in fashion, textiles and digital technology – TAFE NSW and the – have come together to create a Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Fashion & Textiles. Supported by a grant from the NSW Department of Education, the Centre has a mission to grow the capacity of the Australian fashion industry for a sustainable future.

At the Centre of Excellence, we’re transitioning the Australian fashion sector toward sustainability and Industry 4.0.

Career forecasts in the fashion and textiles sector predict a seismic shift in the way clothing is produced and circulated. The revolutions taking place around sustainability and the digitalisation of fashion will dominate future roles in the industry. According to FT alliance, the most in-demand roles will include:

Sustainable fashion designers
Sustainability and CSR managers
3D designers, modellers and pattern makers
Zero waste designers
Textile and product designers and engineers
AR/VR experts
Closed-loop designers and engineers
Re-commerce platform leads

The Centre of Excellence will educate fashion and textile professionals for the jobs of the future. We will hold ethics and integrity at our core while integrating cutting-edge technology alongside sustainability best-practice, challenging the ways we currently think about fashion and textile design and production.

Person standing on wall obscured by white material in shape of a cloud, seen against a blue sky

Intro to Fashion & Sustainability

As part of our mission to transition the Australian fashion industry into the future, we've created this unique six-week course. Intro to Fashion & Sustainability gives you the learnings and tools you need to drive fashion sustainability for your business or organisation.

Find out more about Intro to Fashion & Sustainability

Focus areas

To support the transition to a sustainable Australian fashion and textiles industry, the Centre will focus on, knowledge sharing, networking, innovation, advocacy and research.

This transformation can only occur with involvement and leadership from the fashion and textiles industry. Email us today to find out how you can be involved in shaping the future of Australian fashion.

Knowledge exchange from those working in the industry will also be essential to ensure the skills of the future can be taught to the students of today.
The Centre will offer education and training to support the industry’s sustainable transition through collaborative programs between TAFE NSW and UTS.
Starting in 2022, TAFE NSW and UTS will also work together to offer a new Diploma of Fashion and Sustainability. (Students enter this diploma with UTS upon completion of the TAFE NSW Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainable Practice.)