CCEB, English school in Cairns, Australia
CCEB is an independent college in the centre of Cairns, in tropical northern Australia. Here is who they are, how they teach, what sets them apart, and the centre we offer.
Who is CCEB?
CCEB — Cairns College of English and Business — is, according to its official website, an independent college of English as a foreign language and vocational training, opened in Cairns in 2010. It is listed on the CRICOS register of institutions accepting international students, NEAS accredited and a member of the IALC, the international association of language centres.
Since 2018, the school has occupied its own building in the city centre. It also offers Australian vocational training (business, early childhood, community care, hospitality, cookery): they do not appear on this page, which presents the English offer for adults.
We offer its Cairns centre (Queensland, Australia).
How they teach
On the first day, a placement test determines each student’s class, from elementary to advanced level; you move up to the next level when the level’s reading, writing, listening and speaking objectives are reached. The school applies an “English only” policy: English, and only English, is spoken at the college.
Full-time courses represent 20 hours of classes per week, to which, according to the school, about 5 hours of self-study or activities are added. Lessons alternate pair or team work, grammar, pronunciation, presentations, projects and role plays; Friday includes a review and a personalised interview. In the afternoon, an academic and social programme offers, for example, yoga, table tennis, barbecues or conversation.
Progress tracking, personalised feedback and free practice sessions after classes (for full-time students) complete the set-up. Our catalogue indicates 12 students per class on average.
What sets CCEB apart
- A human-sized school, right in the city centre. The college presents itself as a “boutique”-style institution, with interactive whiteboards in every room; shops, cafés, banks and Rusty’s market are within walking distance, and the Cairns Esplanade, with its large public lagoon, is only a few streets away.
- A student residence of its own. In September 2024 the school took over the Cairns Kangarooms residence (40 rooms, swimming pool and barbecue area, 10 to 15 minutes’ walk from the college).
- A rare setting. Cairns lies between the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and the tropical rainforest, also listed: this is the location the school highlights.
- Local awards. According to the official website, CCEB won the Queensland Export Awards in 2016 and 2017 and is a finalist at the 2026 StudyTravel Star Awards.
Its programmes, and who they are for
For adults: General English (full-time, 20 lessons per week, or part-time, 15 lessons per week — the latter is, according to the school, not suitable for student visa holders), IELTS preparation (General or Academic) and Cambridge FCE and CAE exam preparation. The school also describes an academic English course (EAP) that prepares for entry to James Cook University; it is not in our catalogue.
In our catalogue, courses can be booked from age 18: three flexible-entry courses (full-time General English, part-time General English, IELTS), starting every Monday, from 2 to 50 weeks for General English and from 2 to 30 weeks for IELTS; and Cambridge FCE/CAE preparation on fixed dates (12 weeks from 15 March 2027, 10 weeks from 14 June, 12 weeks from 30 August). For the FCE, the school requires completed upper-intermediate level or an IELTS of 5.0; for the CAE, completed advanced level or an IELTS of 6.0.
Prices, school by school
2027 rates from the Synergee price engine, in Australian dollars, for the full-time General English course (20 lessons per week), starting on January 4, 2027. The “from” price is the lowest per week among the durations priced by the engine; the detail for all durations is in the expandable table below. The exact quote depends on your dates, your duration and your accommodation.
- Cairns, Australia : from 360 AUD per week (2-week course, excluding fees and accommodation)
See all 2027 prices
| Centre | Reference course | Lessons / wk | 2 weeks | 4 weeks | 12 weeks | Registration fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns, Australia | General English Full-time Cairns | 20 | 720 AUD | 1,440 AUD | 4,320 AUD | 300 AUD |
Course price only, excluding accommodation. Registration fee is added. Each country uses its own currency.
Accommodation
In the catalogue: homestay in Cairns (private room, half board on weekdays and three meals at the weekend depending on the school) and the Kangarooms student residence (air-conditioned single room, without meals). Price of the engine’s reference homestay, per week, for a 4-week stay; the residence and its rates appear in the quote.
See accommodation prices
| Centre | Homestay, per week (4 weeks) | Residences in the catalogue |
|---|---|---|
| Cairns | 350 AUD | 1 |
The centre in detail
CCEB — Cairns
Australia · 4 courses in the catalogue
In the school’s own building, in the heart of Cairns, at the corner of Sheridan and Aplin streets: shops, cafés and market within walking distance, the Esplanade and its lagoon a few minutes away. Interactive whiteboards in every room; Kangarooms student residence (40 rooms) 10-15 minutes’ walk away; start every Monday.
Sources: CCEB’s official website (cceb.qld.edu.au), consulted on 7 November 2026; prices: Synergee engine.