Brett Cumming earned his undergraduate degree at Griffith University, majoring in Japanese language and history with a minor in international business. He furthered his studies at the University of Southern Queensland and joined the JET Programme as a Coordinator for International Relations in Osaka, Japan. Brett spent a decade working in the hospitality industry across resorts, hotels, and inbound tourism for Japanese visitors, with roles in Mexico, Canada and Japan, where he also wrote TOEIC® questions.

Brett later transitioned into translation and interpreting, earning a Master of Applied Linguistics, a Master of TESOL, and a Master of Education, along with a Cambridge CELTA qualification. He is currently a confirmed PhD candidate at Griffith University. 

Brett has taught in Australia and abroad, including five years as an Associate Professor at a Japanese Prefectural University. He has published 12 papers and contributed to TESOL conferences and Japanese newspapers. Honoured as a finalist for the USQ Alumnus of the Year Award in 2017 and awarded Fellowship with the Higher Education Academy in 2023, Brett also serves as Vice President of the Gold Coast Jazz and Blues Club and a Justice of the Peace, and currently teaches at TAFE Queensland, supporting migrants and international students.

Walk of Fame Inductee 2017