TAFE TAFE NSW – Illawarra Institute is the other big player in regional education, with 40,000 students undertaking more than 500 different courses at its campuses across the region each year. The Illawarra has one of the most powerful education sectors in Australia – driven by the world-class university that takes a pro-active role in the region’s economic development. For example, the University of Wollongong is the driving force behind the establishment of the Wollongong Innovation Campus.