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 444 English courses registered, from 428 schools.

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:

• What happens if the test places me lower than expected?
• Does my main course start date change?
• Do I pay extra for the extra weeks?
• Does my packaged offer still apply?

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.