English Language Proficiency Requirement

As an English-speaking nation, the language of instruction and communication in Australian educational institutions is English. Consequently, an appropriate level of English language proficiency is essential for international students to successfully complete their Australian education and training.

Depending on what study course they intend to enrol in, international students are required to satisfy different levels of English language proficiency. As a general rule, higher level of studies may require a corresponding higher level of English proficiency.  For example, an international student wishing to study secondary education in Australia will be required a lower level of English language proficiency than someone who wish to study a bachelor’s degree.

There are several organisations that test English language proficiency, in Australia some of the widely accepted ones are:
– Australian Education Assessment Services (AEAS)
– Cambridge English (CAE)
– IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
– Pearson Test of English, and
– TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

The scoring metrics used by these English language proficiency testers vary but educational providers would have a comparative table that shows the equivalence of scores given by different testers. For example, a registered educational institution may say that an IELTS overall Academic band score of 6.5 is equivalent to a TOEFL score of 577 (paper) and 79 (online), to a Pearson score of 58, and to Cambridge CAE score of 176.

ELICOS

For international students who do not meet the minimum English language proficiency required by their chosen registered education provider for their desired course study, ELICOS is the answer. ELICOS, an acronym for English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students, is designed primarily to help international students achieve the level of proficiency they need to satisfy the English language requirement of their chosen study course and/or their chosen education provider. It is also designed to deliver quality and effective English language proficiency course to people who need it for special purposes like in career or business. The word ‘Intensive’ denotes a minimum 20 hours of face-to-face English language instruction per week. The duration can be anywhere from 4 to 48 weeks, depending on the international student’s level of English language proficiency. Upon successful completion of ELICOS international students are normally allowed to proceed onto their chosen course study without needing to provide anymore proof of English language proficiency like IELTS or TOEFL.

There are hundreds of English language course providers in Australia. However, before they can offer courses to international students on student visa they must be registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students or CRICOS in. And before they could be registered with CRICOS they must first meet the requirements under the ELICOS Standards 2018 and comply with the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 and the ESOS Act and Regulation. All education providers listed here in www.australianstudyoptions.com.au are CRICOS-registered. On top of that, all providers listed here in your ELICOS Options are either members of English Australia or endorsed by NEAS, or both. English Australia is the national peak body for the English language sector of international education in Australia, while NEAS is a globally recognised body that provides quality assurance services to English Language Teaching and vocational providers in Australia and internationally. What this means is that all providers listed here in your ELICOS Options are quality assured over and above what the government regulators require.

Other English Language Courses Available

Aside from ELICOS, providers of world-class English language training listed above also offer other English language course for different purposes, such as: 

1. General English – Designed to improve English skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Taught from beginners to advance level, classes at each level focus on everyday English, and often include a variety of activities. Suitable as a standalone English study course for individuals wishing to improve their general English skills, or as preparation for English for academic purposes course. It’s also perfect for groups like workmates, families or friends, who can come to Australia on Study Tours and undertake a short-term English language study course combined with tourism and special interest activities.
2. Exam Preparation – Preparation class for those taking English proficiency examinations such as:
   – Cambridge exams
   – IELTS exam
   – TOEFL exam
   – PTE test, etc.
3. English for Specific Purposes (ESP) – Under this category are English courses geared towards career/ professional and business usage.