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 · Macallan College Pty Ltd · Adelaide,East Brisbane,Harris Park,Perth,South Windsor
    A$21,8501.4 yr · A$15,781/yr
  2. English as a Second Language (ESL) (Years 11 & 12)
    Non AQF Award · Department of Education · Bassendean,East Perth,Kardinya
    A$21,9801 yr · A$21,980/yr
  3. General Academic English
    Non AQF Award · Murdoch College, The University of Adelaide College, Kapl… · Adelaide,Docklands
    A$22,00010 mo · A$26,000/yr
  4. General English
    Non AQF Award · Tr4in Right · Melbourne
    A$22,00011 mo · A$24,870/yr
  5. General English
    Non AQF Award · Impact English College Pty Ltd · Brisbane,Melbourne
    A$22,2001.2 yr · A$19,240/yr
  6. English Preparation for Young Learners (EPYL)
    Non AQF Award · Phoenix Academy · North Perth
    A$22,33010 mo · A$26,390/yr
  7. General English (Beginner to Advanced)
    Non AQF Award · Australian Pacific College, Southern Cross High School, E… · Adelaide,Brisbane,Dawes Point,Manly,Melbourne,Surfers Paradise,Sydney
    A$22,3301.5 yr · A$15,080/yr
  8. General English
    Non AQF Award · English Unlimited Brisbane Pty Ltd · Brisbane
    A$22,3301.5 yr · A$15,080/yr
  9. General English Program (Beginner to Advanced) (5 to 50 weeks)
    Non AQF Award · TAFE NSW Technical and Further Education Commission; TAFE… · Kingscliff,Liverpool,Meadowbank,Tighes Hill,Ultimo,Wollongong
    A$22,4001.3 yr · A$16,640/yr
  10. General English
    Non AQF Award · College of English Education and Training Australia · Yeerongpilly
    A$22,4801.4 yr · A$16,236/yr
  11. English for Academic Purposes (Upper Intermediate to Advanced)
    Non AQF Award · The University of Western Australia · Crawley
    A$22,50010 mo · A$26,000/yr
  12. General English
    Non AQF Award · Avondale University · Cooranbong
    A$22,5001.2 yr · A$19,500/yr
  13. General English
    Non AQF Award · AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION, AUSTRALIAN AC… · Seven Hills
    A$22,5001.2 yr · A$19,500/yr
  14. English Bridging Course
    Non AQF Award · Southern Cross Education Institute (Higher Education) Pty… · North Melbourne
    A$22,5005 mo
  15. General English
    Non AQF Award · AUIPT GROUP PTY LTD · Melbourne
    A$22,5001.2 yr · A$19,500/yr
  16. English for Further Studies
    Non AQF Award · La Trobe College Australia · Bundoora
    A$22,72510 mo · A$27,481/yr
  17. General English
    Non AQF Award · Australian Global College Pty Ltd · Liverpool
    A$22,7601.4 yr · A$15,994/yr
  18. English Language (Programs) (Elementary to Advanced) (1 to 60 weeks)
    Non AQF Award · Macquarie English, Macquarie Institute · Sydney
    A$22,8001.2 yr · A$19,760/yr
  19. General English
    Non AQF Award · George Brown College · Haymarket
    A$22,8001.2 yr · A$19,760/yr
  20. General English
    Non AQF Award · Australian Harbour International College · Surry Hills
    A$22,8001.3 yr · A$16,937/yr
  21. General English
    Non AQF Award · Australasian International Academy Pty Ltd · Sydney
    A$22,8001.3 yr · A$16,937/yr
  22. General English Program (Beginner to Advanced)
    Non AQF Award · STANFORD COLLEGE AUSTRALIA · Melbourne
    A$22,8001.4 yr · A$16,467/yr
  23. General English (Starter - Advanced)
    Non AQF Award · Training for Knowledge and Livelihood · Melbourne,Parramatta,Sydney
    A$22,8001.3 yr · A$16,937/yr
  24. General English
    Non AQF Award · Excel College Australia · Bankstown,Surry Hills,Sydney,Toowoomba City
    A$22,8001.3 yr · A$16,937/yr
  25. General English
    Non AQF Award · Englishwise Global · Adelaide,Fortitude Valley,Melbourne,Perth,Southport,Sydney
    A$22,8001.4 yr · A$16,467/yr
  26. English (ELICOS) 5-45 Weeks
    Non AQF Award · Deakin University (Deakin) · Burwood,Geelong
    A$22,9501.2 yr · A$19,890/yr
  27. English for Teaching
    Non AQF Award · Deakin University (Deakin) · Burwood,Geelong
    A$22,9505 wk
  28. English for BULATS Preparation
    Non AQF Award · Victoria University · Melbourne
    A$23,0001 yr · A$23,920/yr
  29. Intensive English Language Years 6-10
    Non AQF Award · Woodcroft College · Morphett Vale
    A$23,0001 yr · A$23,000/yr
  30. General English
    Non AQF Award · Scots English College · Eveleigh,Haymarket
    A$23,0001 yr · A$22,148/yr
  31. General English
    Non AQF Award · Sydney English House Pty Ltd · Haymarket,Ultimo
    A$23,0501.2 yr · A$19,977/yr
  32. General English
    Non AQF Award · UNITY SKILLS COLLEGE OF HEALTH · Melbourne
    A$23,2001.1 yr · A$20,800/yr
  33. General English Beginner to Advanced 4 - 60 Weeks
    Non AQF Award · Lexis English Noosa, Lexis English Sunshine Coast · Maroochydore,Noosa Heads
    A$23,3001.2 yr · A$20,193/yr
  34. General English
    Non AQF Award · Lexis English Perth · Perth
    A$23,3001.2 yr · A$20,193/yr
  35. General English - Starter to Advanced
    Non AQF Award · Platform English College · Camellia
    A$23,4001.5 yr · A$15,600/yr
  36. Integrated English
    Non AQF Award · UQ College Limited · St Lucia
    A$23,4001 yr · A$23,400/yr
  37. General English (Starter Advanced 6 levels)
    Non AQF Award · Intellect English · Coburg
    A$23,4901.4 yr · A$16,965/yr
  38. English Language Programs (Beginner to Advanced) 5-50 weeks
    Non AQF Award · Griffith University · Brisbane,Mt Gravatt,Nathan,Southport
    A$23,5001 yr · A$24,440/yr
  39. General English (Beginner to Advanced)
    Non AQF Award · Edith Cowan College · Joondalup,Mount Lawley
    A$23,7501.1 yr · A$21,667/yr
  40. Academic English Program (Elementary to Advanced)
    Non AQF Award · Edith Cowan College · Joondalup,Mount Lawley
    A$23,7501.1 yr · A$21,667/yr
  41. Academic English for Tertiary Studies: EAP 1-5
    Non AQF Award · UWS College, Western Sydney University The College,UWS En… · Bankstown,Parramatta
    A$23,7501 yr · A$24,700/yr
  42. Communicating in English: Beginner to Advanced
    Non AQF Award · UWS College, Western Sydney University The College,UWS En… · Bankstown,Parramatta
    A$23,7501 yr · A$24,700/yr
  43. English for Academic Purposes
    Non AQF Award · Victoria University · Melbourne
    A$24,0001 yr · A$24,960/yr
  44. General English (Beginner to Advanced) (4 to 48 weeks)
    Non AQF Award · Mercury Colleges Pty Ltd · Adelaide,Hurstville,Sydney
    A$24,0001.4 yr · A$17,333/yr
  45. English for High School Preparation
    Non AQF Award · AICOL · Southport
    A$24,00011 mo · A$26,000/yr
  46. Monash English (5 to 50 weeks)
    Non AQF Award · Monash University English Language Centre; Monash College · Docklands
    A$24,0001 yr · A$24,960/yr
  47. Advanced English for Academic Practice
    Non AQF Award · Browns English Language School, Browns Professional · Brisbane,Melbourne,Southport
    A$24,0008 mo · A$34,667/yr
  48. English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
    Non AQF Award · Sunshine Coast International College · Mangrove Creek,Sydney
    A$24,0001.5 yr · A$16,421/yr
  49. General English Levels 1-6
    Non AQF Award · Australian Capital College, Capital College · Canberra
    A$24,0001.5 yr · A$16,000/yr
  50. General English
    Non AQF Award · Universal English Pty Ltd · Melbourne
    A$24,0001.3 yr · A$17,829/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.