What is ELICOS?

Many people ask what does ELICOS mean. The word 'ELICOS' is made up of the first letters of Australia's English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students:

The ELICOS program has been designed for students who require English language training before commencing formal studies in Australia. There are other English language programs besides ELICOS that a student can do, but the Australian government has an official ELICOS student visa especially for students who do one of these courses.

The ELICOS definition means that programs are open to everyone, including people who are in Australia on a tourist or visitor visa and people who do not want to do any further study after their English classes are over. However, restrictions may apply in these cases.

The English language industry, or ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students), as it is commonly known, has developed in Australia over a period of about twenty years, and is now one of the best known in the world. English language centres in Australia which offer courses to overseas students vary enormously. There are now more than 150 to choose from, ranging from the small privately run college with small group tuition, to the secondary school preparing students for high school studies, to large university or vocational education centres which will offer English in its own right or as a transition to any number of other tertiary or further training programs.

Australia also has a very high quality university and vocational education system, and students often come to Australia with plans for a full study program, with English language as the stepping stone to other courses. You could choose to do a General English course, or specialise by doing a course in English for business, graphic arts, the hospitality industry, academic studies, or post-graduate studies. Or if you are interested in doing one of the internationally recognised English language examinations, many centres offer special courses in preparation for the Cambridge University examinations, IELTS or TOEFL. Your English college will help you to enrol for these examinations, or if you are unsure of your future study plans, advise you on further study options after your English course is complete.

As a safeguard for students coming to Australia, there is a national accreditation process which all new ELICOS colleges undergo. The National ELICOS Accreditation Scheme (NEAS), which set up in 1990, requires all centres to comply with a set of standards, and this is a guarantee that students will be taught by qualified English teachers, programs will be accredited and class sized kept small. When fully accredited by NEAS, colleges are able to show its special logo on their promotional materials as a symbol of their good standards.

The cost of studying ELICOS in Australia

NOTE: AUD = Australian Dollars

The cost of English Language tuition in general ELICOS courses varies depending on the city you go to and the language centre you choose. Tuition Fees range from AUD$250 per week to AUD$350 per week for regular ELICOS courses, involving 25 hours of tuition per week. This compares favourably with other countries, especially when you convert your local currency.

Language Centres in the big cities in the Eastern states, in particular Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, tend to have the highest tuition fees, and while these cities are often the best known to international students, it would be wise to consider language centres elsewhere, if cost is an important consideration.

The cost of living, too, varies across Australia, though in general Australia is a less expensive country to live in than most other English-speaking countries. International students find that in Australia they need from AUD$200 to AUD$300 per week to cover living costs, including accommodation, food, transport, entertainment and other convenience expenses. Again, cities like Adelaide, Hobart and Perth are less expensive than Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and offer a quality lifestyle on a student budget.

If you know how much money you can afford per week in your local currency, you may wish to click and use the Currency Converter to get an idea of how much money you can save by coming to Australia.

Where to study ELICOS in Australia

The quality of Australia's ELICOS English language providers is the same throughout the country. Students can select where they would like to study and know that they will be getting similar instruction to students in other locations. After the ELICOS course is completed students are able to enrol in any other college or university in Australia. Studying ELICOS is a good opportunity to see what a different part of Australia has to offer.

Click on the map to see what ELICOS schools are available in the various states:

Student Visa to study ELICOS in Australia

The Australian Government operates an Overseas Student Program (OSP) that allows people who are not Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents to study in Australia.

Any person who is not an Australian resident may apply to study in Australia under the OSP.A person who wants to study under the program must obtain a student visa before they can commence a course of study in Australia.

You can be granted a student visa only if you wish to undertake a registered course or part of a registered course on a full-time basis.A registered course is an education or training course offered by an Australian education provider who is registered with the Australian Government to offer courses to overseas students.

Students wanting to study English in Australia on a student visa must be enrolled in a school that is a registered provider of ELICOS English language programs.

To lodge your application online click here:

Australian Student Visa online application

Work Permit on an ELICOS Student Visa

The work permit for the ELICOS visa subclass is the same as for other classes of the Australian student visa. After you have started your ELICOS course you can apply for a work permit that will allow you to work for a maximum of twenty hours per week during semester and full-time during semester breaks.

The current cost of a work permit for ELICOS student visa holders is AUD$55. Once you have commenced studies you can apply for work permit online here:

Online Work Permit Application

Note: Educational institutions are required by law to monitor students to make sure they do not break the conditions of their student visa. A visa can be cancelled if a student breaks any of the conditions attached to it.

What to do after ELICOS study

ELICOS studies in Australia can be the first step in entering formal academic studies or can be completed just for the high quality English language teaching provided. The diagram gives a general picture of how the Australian education system works and how the ELICOS graduate can enter this system at any point.

Following this diagram means a students can plan whatever study program they would like to do. Completing a suitable level of ELICOS and having the prerequisite background means the student can enter the level of academic program they want. They can also exit the Australian education system at any time and still have the benefit of the ELICOS English training.

How to apply to study ELICOS

There are three main ways to apply to study ELICOS in Australia. They are:

Apply directly to the school

Apply through Australian Education International

Apply through a private education agent representing the schools

1. Apply Direct to the Schools
The links on this site will connect you directly with the schools so you can find out the details you need to know and ask any questions you have. Once you have seleted the school you want to attend then you can apply directly to the school Click here to search for a school

2. The Australian Education sector is represented internationally by IDP which is made up of member universities and other institutions. You can contact your local IDP office to arrange to apply for an ELICOS course. Details of the countries IDP operate in and their addresses can be found by clicking here: IDP Australian Education Offices

3. In some countries IDP does not operate or are not in the local area but it is possible to apply for an ELICOS course by using an agent who is registered by particular schools. This is not the best way to apply because agents will sometimes give advice that benefits themselves rather than the student. However, if you can select where you want to study and find a couple of suitable schools then a private agent will most likely be able to help you enrol in one of these. You can find a local agent by contacting the Australian Embassy and asking to be connected to an Education Agent. Click here for: Australian Embassy Locations