Australian Courses

English language courses in Australia

ELICOS means English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students. Many students study English first, then start their main course. There are 1,078 English courses registered, from 428 schools.

Registered courses1,078
Usual length34 weeks4–280 weeks available
Usual feeA$11,000whole course
Average per weekA$363
CheapestA$1,080

Three reasons students study English here

  1. You need English to meet a course requirement. The school gives you a conditional offer. You study English until you reach the level they need. Then you start your main course. This is the most common path. The two courses are usually arranged together in one offer, on one visa. This is called a packaged offer.
  2. You want to study English only. You can get a student visa for an English course by itself. Since 1 July 2026, English and non-award students pay a lower visa charge of A$2,050, not the standard A$2,500.
  3. You have the English level but want preparation. Academic English courses teach essay writing, referencing and class discussion. General English teaches everyday language. They are different products. Check which one a course is before you compare prices.

How the levels work

Most schools use the same order: Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate, Advanced, then academic or exam preparation. Each level usually takes 10 to 12 weeks.

You take a test when you arrive. That test decides your level, not the level you booked.

This matters more than students expect. If the test places you lower than you planned, you study English for longer. Your main course start date moves. Your costs go up. Ask the school these questions before you pay:

Ask for the answers in writing.

How this affects your budget

English courses are priced per week. So the length matters more than the total price. The average is about A$363 per week. Ten extra weeks of English is a large amount of money on top of your other costs.

Your visa must cover the English course and the main course together. Your health insurance must also cover both.

Add this to your total cost

Foundation programs are different

66 courses on the register are marked as foundation studies. These are bridging courses. They help students who do not meet the academic requirements for a degree. They are about academic preparation, not language. If your problem is your past qualifications and not your English, ask your school about these.

All registered English courses

1,078 coursesSort by cheapestprice per yearshortestA–ZLevel allVETbachelormasters & aboveschool
  1. General English (Starter, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, Advanced)
    Non AQF Award · SKILLSET TRAINING PTY. LTD. · Maidstone
    A$15,0001.3 yr · A$11,143/yr
  2. General English (2-50 weeks)
    Non AQF Award · Shafston International College · Kangaroo Point,Southport,Sydney
    A$15,0001 yr · A$15,600/yr
  3. General English
    Non AQF Award · Australian International College of Skills & Education Pt… · Liverpool
    A$15,0001.3 yr · A$11,143/yr
  4. General English: Elementary to Upper Immediate
    Non AQF Award · Future English · Melbourne,North Melbourne
    A$15,0001.2 yr · A$13,000/yr
  5. General English + IELTS Preparation Course
    Non AQF Award · English Path Australia · Brisbane
    A$15,0001.2 yr · A$12,581/yr
  6. General English
    Non AQF Award · Amazing English Pty Ltd · Melbourne
    A$15,0001.2 yr · A$12,581/yr
  7. General English
    Non AQF Award · College Avalon Pty Ltd · Melbourne
    A$15,0001.3 yr · A$11,143/yr
  8. General English Levels 1-6
    Non AQF Award · NEXUS ENGLISH COLLEGE PTY LTD · Haymarket
    A$15,0001.4 yr · A$10,400/yr
  9. English for IELTS and Academic Purposes (EIAP)
    Non AQF Award · Language Links · Northbridge
    A$15,12010 mo · A$17,869/yr
  10. Cambridge English Exam Preparation Course
    Non AQF Award · Language Links · Northbridge
    A$15,12010 mo · A$17,869/yr
  11. Advanced English for Academic Study (EAP) (Upper Intermediate to Advanced) (10 to 40 weeks)
    Non AQF Award · Canterbury Language Academy · Surry Hills
    A$15,2009 mo · A$19,760/yr
  12. General English
    Non AQF Award · TOWNSVILLE INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH SCHOOL PTY LTD · Townsville
    A$15,2001 yr · A$14,637/yr
  13. English for Academic Purposes
    Non AQF Award · Englishwise Global · Adelaide,Fortitude Valley,Melbourne,Perth,Southport,Sydney
    A$15,20011 mo · A$16,467/yr
  14. General English (Elementary to Advanced)
    Non AQF Award · Barrington College Australia · Southport
    A$15,2501 yr · A$15,250/yr
  15. General English (Beginner to Advanced) (1 to 48 weeks)
    Non AQF Award · Holmes Secondary College; Oxford House College; Holmes Co… · Sydney
    A$15,36011 mo · A$16,640/yr
  16. Essential Academic English (Intermediate to Upper Intermediate)
    Non AQF Award · UNSW College · Kensington
    A$15,3645 mo
  17. Career English (Intermediate to Advanced)
    Non AQF Award · UNSW College · Kensington
    A$15,36410 mo · A$18,580/yr
  18. Foundation English Entry Course (FEEC)
    Non AQF Award · UNSW College · Kensington
    A$15,3645 mo
  19. University English Entry Course (UEEC)
    Non AQF Award · UNSW College · Kensington
    A$15,3645 mo
  20. General English
    Non AQF Award · Rosehill College · Haymarket,Ultimo
    A$15,5001 yr · A$15,500/yr
  21. General English Language Program: Elementary A2 - Advanced C1
    Non AQF Award · Alana Kaye College · Darwin,Southport,Winnellie
    A$15,5001.2 yr · A$12,594/yr
  22. General English: Elementary to Upper Intermediate
    Non AQF Award · Yarra College Australia · Melbourne
    A$15,5001.2 yr · A$13,000/yr
  23. Intensive General English
    Non AQF Award · Burleigh Heads Language Centre · Burleigh Heads,Coolangatta
    A$15,6001 yr · A$15,600/yr
  24. General English (Elementary to Intermediate) (1 to 40 weeks)
    Non AQF Award · Canterbury Language Academy · Surry Hills
    A$15,6009 mo · A$20,280/yr
  25. English for Academic Purposes Levels 1-4
    Non AQF Award · BDMS Education Pty Ltd · Sydney
    A$15,60010 mo · A$18,865/yr
  26. General English (Elementary to Upper Intermediate) (2 to 50 weeks)
    Non AQF Award · Sydney English Academy · Melbourne
    A$15,7501 yr · A$16,380/yr
  27. Academic English program
    Non AQF Award · Universal English College · Sydney
    A$15,8009 mo · A$20,540/yr
  28. Diploma of English Language Teaching (TESOL)
    Diploma · WIN English Centre / WIN College · Surry Hills
    A$15,8001 yr · A$15,800/yr
  29. General English (Beginner to Intermediate)
    Non AQF Award · International Institute of Business and Technology Austra… · Haymarket,Ultimo
    A$15,8009 mo · A$20,540/yr
  30. General English
    Non AQF Award · AICOL · Southport
    A$15,84011 mo · A$17,160/yr
  31. Pearson Test of English Preparation
    Non AQF Award · Keystone College of Business and Technology · Adelaide,Perth
    A$15,8401.2 yr · A$13,728/yr
  32. English for Academic Purposes
    Non AQF Award · Boston Institute Pty Ltd · Sydney
    A$15,84011 mo · A$17,160/yr
  33. General English
    Non AQF Award · Boston Institute Pty Ltd · Sydney
    A$15,8501.2 yr · A$13,737/yr
  34. IELTS and PTE Examination Preparation
    Non AQF Award · Original Campus · Docklands
    A$15,96010 mo · A$19,760/yr
  35. English for General Purposes (Beginner to Advanced)
    Non AQF Award · Melbourne Polytechnic · Prahran,Preston
    A$16,0001 yr · A$15,698/yr
  36. General English Course
    Non AQF Award · Pacific English Study · Surfers Paradise
    A$16,0001.6 yr · A$9,905/yr
  37. General English (1-50 weeks)
    Non AQF Award · Cairns College of English & Business · Cairns City
    A$16,0001.1 yr · A$14,345/yr
  38. INUS Customised English Program (ICEP) Certificate of English, Pre Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate and Advanced
    Non AQF Award · INUS Australia Education and Training · Melbourne,Parkville,Pyrmont
    A$16,0001 yr · A$16,640/yr
  39. General English (Elementary to Advanced)
    Non AQF Award · Signet Institute of Australia · Adelaide,Forest Lodge,Melbourne
    A$16,0001.2 yr · A$13,867/yr
  40. General English
    Non AQF Award · Oceania College of Technology · Parramatta,Southport
    A$16,0001.6 yr · A$9,905/yr
  41. English for Academic Purposes Levels 1 - 4
    Non AQF Award · Australian Capital College, Capital College · Canberra
    A$16,0001 yr · A$16,000/yr
  42. General English (Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate and Upper-Intermediate)
    Non AQF Award · Joan Lawman College · Melbourne
    A$16,0009 mo · A$20,800/yr
  43. IELTS Foundation
    Non AQF Award · Joan Lawman College · Melbourne
    A$16,0003 mo
  44. General English (Elementary to Advanced Level)
    Non AQF Award · BRIGHT ENGLISH · Melbourne,Mildura
    A$16,0001 yr · A$16,000/yr
  45. General English 1 - 4
    Non AQF Award · Smart Connection Company Pty Ltd · Parramatta
    A$16,00011 mo · A$18,087/yr
  46. English for Academic Purposes
    Non AQF Award · Shafston International College · Southport,Sydney
    A$16,0006 mo
  47. General English
    Non AQF Award · Holborne Institute Pty Ltd · Melbourne
    A$16,0001.6 yr · A$9,905/yr
  48. General English
    Non AQF Award · Brunswick Institute · Brunswick
    A$16,0001 yr · A$16,000/yr
  49. General English levels 3-6
    Non AQF Award · Fusion English College · Parramatta
    A$16,0001 yr · A$16,000/yr
  50. English for Academic Purposes levels 1-4
    Non AQF Award · Fusion English College · Parramatta
    A$16,0001 yr · A$16,000/yr

What this page cannot tell you. The CRICOS register records that a course exists, how long it runs, and what it costs. It does not record entry requirements. It does not record the English level you need to start. It does not record the level you must reach to move into your main course. Each school sets these rules. They are not published in any central register.

Before you enrol, ask the school: What level will I start at? What level do I need to reach to start my main course? How long does that usually take? What happens if my test result is lower than expected? Get the answers in writing.