A total of 177,697 international students commenced English language programs in Australia in 2017, surpassing the previous peak year of 2016 to record a new high in the number of ELICOS students.
Numbers of English language students in Australia doubled in the five years between 2003 and 2008, then declined by 23% over the four year period 2009 to 2012. 2013 saw a strong return to growth with +19% and 2014 building on this with further growth of +11%. 2015 and 2016 built further on this with 2017 growing by 2% on 2016. In 2017, 68% of people studying English in Australia held student visas, 21% visitor visas and 11% working holiday and other visas.
The Australian English language industry is respected globally as a world leader due to its cohesiveness and professionalism. Public and private sector institutions work together closely within the national association and Australia’s ELICOS National Standards are the envy of the world, providing consistent standards for all providers.
The English language sector is a major contributor to Australia’s international education profile. Below are some commonly asked questions about the sector.
The English language sector is a major contributor to Australia’s international education profile. Below are some commonly asked questions about the sector.
ELICOS is an acronym for English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students. This acronym is used only in Australia and refers to the kind of courses of full time study of English that can be accredited by the Australian federal government for study on a Student Visa.
There are many other acronyms used to describe this kind of program. Some examples are English as a Foreign Language (EFL), English as an Additional Language (EAL), and English as a Second Language (ESL). The latter tends to be offered to migrants or citizens. All types of English language program can be grouped under the generic term English language teaching (ELT).
ELICOS is NOT an institution or an employer. An institution may offer ELICOS courses, but ELICOS is not an employing body in its own right.
For a wide range of reasons! ELICOS students may have hopes of gaining a qualification that gives them entry to improved work or study options at home or better access to cultures where English is the lingua franca. Thus, they may want to study at an Australian high school, vocational college or university and need to improve their English to meet the entry requirements of their chosen course.
Their primary goal may be to travel or work in an English speaking country . ELICOS students include present or future teachers, politicians, academics, health professionals, business people and entrepreneurs, rocket scientists, performing artists and pilots. All are here because they want to learn how to communicate using English.
| Learner Goal | Course | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Improve general English language proficiency. Travel or do casual work in an English speaking country. |
General English (GE) |
Focus on developing the English language and communicative skills needed for a range of contexts. Courses can be from Beginner level (A1/2 on the CEFR) to Advanced (C1/C2 CEFR). |
|
Study in an Australian school, vocational college or university. |
Secondary/High School Preparation (S/HSP), English for Academic Purposes (EAP), English for Further Studies (EFS) |
Usually based on the spoken and written English the students will need for further study. |
|
Take an exam such as IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, Cambridge First Certificate. |
Exam preparation course |
Combine general skills and knowledge development plus exam orientation and practice. |
|
Learn the spoken and written English needed for a specific context. |
An English for special purposes (ESP) course such as English for Business, English for Health Professionals, English for Hospitality |
Usually based on the spoken and written English the students will need for that particular context. |
|
Teach English in schools in their own country. |
English for Teaching |
Many types including TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and EfTC (English for Teaching Children). Most will include a practicum. |
|
Have a short holiday and study English for a short time with a group. |
Study tour |
A combination of General English with sporting, social, tourist or cultural activities. |
ELICOS providers who teach students on student visas must be registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), the national database of all courses and providers of courses to international students in Australia, as a provider and for each of the courses they offer. The providers and courses registered in CRICOS can be viewed here.
In order to be registered, providers must meet the National ELICOS Standards as well as their obligations under the ESOS Act, the TPS and the National Code. They must also adhere to all other relevant state and federal requirements, such as the Privacy Act and general consumer protection legislation.
The ELICOS industry in Australia is highly regulated. ELICOS providers, along with all providers of education and training to overseas students, must comply with conditions of the Education Services to Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000. This Act is administered by the federal (Australian) Department with responsibility for Education and includes a National Code outlining how providers must conduct their operations and the Tuition Protection Service (TPS) outlining how overseas students are financially protected int he case of the closure of an education provider.
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. The National Code also sets out that providers of ELICOS must adhere to the National ELICOS standards which outline the specific requirements of courses, academic and support staff, conditions and provisions.
