Student - Content pages
Studying English in Australia
A variety of English language courses are available to suit anyone wanting to develop their language skills and different visas are also available to suit different needs.
Make sure you choose the right visa, the right course and the right college.
Visas
The Australian immigration website has a quick quiz that might help you to find the right visa, called a Visa Wizard. You can see what visa it recommends for you at http://www.immi.gov.au/visawizard/
If you just want to visit Australia to do a short English language course and travel, then a Visitor Visa is probably the most suitable.
You can study up to 12 weeks on a Visitor visa.
If your country has a Working Holiday or Work & Holiday agreement with Australia (**see list of countries below), then a Working Holiday Visa or a Work & Holiday Visa is a great way to be able to study, travel and work with the greatest flexibility.
You can study part-time and work full-time or you can work part-time and study full-time. You can travel when you like and study and work when you like.
You can study up to 17 weeks on a Working Holiday or Work & Holiday visa.
Click here for information in English.
Click here for information in Korean.
Click here for courses and services designed specifically for Working Holiday and Work & Holiday visa holders.
If you want to study for longer than 17 weeks then you will need a Student Visa.
Students on Student visas must study a full-time course of at least 20 hours a week. Student visa holders can also work up to 20 hours per week.
Courses
The main courses offered in Australia are as follows:
| Learner Goal | Course |
|
General English (GE) generally has a focus on informal and formal spoken English and general communicative skills. |
|
Secondary/High School Preparation (S/HSP), English for Academic Purposes (EAP), English for Further Studies (EFS). Usually based on the spoken and written English you will need for further study. |
|
Exam preparation course with a combination of general skills and knowledge development plus exam orientation and practice. |
|
An English for special purposes (ESP) course such as English for Business, English for Health Professionals, English for Hospitality etc. Usually based on the spoken and written English you will need for that particular context. |
|
English for Teaching - many types including TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages; EfTC (English for Teaching Children). Most will include a practicum. |
|
Study tour - a combination of General English with sporting, social, tourist or cultural activities |
Colleges
Choosing the right college for you is important.
Do you want to study in a city or near the beach or experience a different aspect of Australia in a regional area?
Do you want the experience of a university campus or a city centre campus?
Do you want to be in a small school where everyone knows your name or in a large school with diversity of students and courses?
Every student wants a different kind of experience and there is a college to suit everyone.
It is also important to choose a good quality college that will help you develop your English language skills in the best way possible. English Australia member colleges represent the best in Australia. Click here to search for a college and/or a course.
Consumer Protection
Australia provides excellent quality and consumer protection for international students.
English Australia member colleges must comply with conditions of the Education Services to Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000. Click here for an easy guide to the rights and responsibilities of international students.
This Act is administered by the Australian Department of Education and includes a National Code outlining how providers must conduct their operations. Areas of operations covered by the National Code include marketing and information, use of agents, care and services to students, dealing with student complaints and appeals, monitoring and reporting attendance for student visa holders and staff, educational resources and premises.
The International Education Association, ISANA, has prepared some information to help students on student visas understand their rights and responsibilities. You can click here to watch short videos and download checklists on 'Before Enrolment', 'Student Support', 'Study Choices & Assistance', 'Changing Enrolment', 'Course Progress and Attendance Reporting' and 'Complaints & Appeals', part of the ISANA Student Education Project.
English language colleges are also accreditedand monitored by NEAS.
Colleges who are committed to quality can also apply to join English Australia.
Membership of English Australia includes subscription to a Tuition Assurance Scheme (TAS) which guarantees placement of students into alternative courses if a provider is not able to offer the course they have paid for. English Australia protects students with any type of visa who are studying with an EA member college.
**Countries with a Working Holiday Agreement with Australia:
Belgium, Canada, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malta,Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan and United Kingdom
**Countries with a Work & Holiday Agreement with Australia:
Chile, Thailand, Turkey and the USA
For more information about studying in Australia, visit the Australian government website www.studyinaustralia.gov.au.
