Australia (AU)

Available to: migrants aged 18+ who hold a permanent visa (any subclass) or specific temporary visas including Temporary Protection, Safe Haven Enterprise, and some bridging visas. New Zealand citizens are NOT eligible. Must be referred by the Department of Home Affairs. There is no age cap — elderly migrants can participate. Participants are assessed on arrival and placed in appropriate level classes (beginner through to vocational English).

Completely free for eligible participants. All tuition, materials, and assessment are funded by the Australian Government (Department of Home Affairs). Some AMEP providers offer childcare support to enable participation — ask your provider. Since 2021, the fixed 510-hour cap was removed — eligible migrants can now access unlimited free English tuition up to vocational English level with no time expiry.

Unlimited hours (the 510-hour cap was removed in 2021). Study can be full-time (approx. 20 weeks to vocational level), part-time, or flexible depending on your provider. Classes are typically offered morning, afternoon, and evening. Online and blended delivery options are available through approved providers. Participants can pause and resume as life circumstances require.

Prepares participants for everyday English communication, workplace English, and digital literacy. Assessment is ongoing rather than a single exit exam. AMEP completion does not provide an internationally recognised English certificate (you'll need IELTS/PTE for that) but significantly builds practical proficiency. Most providers issue a Certificate of Completion.

TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutes in every state offer a wide range of English language programs from beginner (Certificate I) to advanced (Certificate IV) and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) at diploma level. TAFE courses are ideal for migrants who need formal English qualifications for employment, further study, or professional registration. Many TAFE campuses have large multicultural student communities, excellent support services, and pathways into vocational and higher education. TAFE English is more structured and qualification-focused than AMEP.

Australia's community language school system teaches heritage languages to children and adults on weekends. Funded partly by state governments, these schools teach over 60 languages including Mandarin, Arabic, Greek, Italian, Vietnamese, Spanish, Hindi, Korean, and Tamil. Classes are typically Saturday or Sunday mornings for 2–3 hours. Adult classes are also available at many community language schools. These are invaluable for maintaining your first language while raising children in Australia — children who maintain their heritage language are academically advantaged.

AMES Australia is one of the largest AMEP and settlement services providers in the country, operating across Victoria and nationally through partnerships. Offers AMEP tuition, vocational English, community language programs, and settlement support. English classes from beginner to upper intermediate levels. Strong adult migrant focus with childcare support available at many centres.

Private ELICOS colleges offer internationally accredited English programs from beginner through to Cambridge Advanced (CAE). Popular with international students and migrants who want fast-tracked intensive English before university entry. IELTS and PTE preparation are specialities of many ELICOS providers. Major providers: Kaplan International, IDP Education, English Australia member schools.

Libraries, neighbourhood centres, and community organisations run free or low-cost English conversation groups throughout Australia. These informal groups are excellent for building spoken confidence without the pressure of a classroom. They also provide social connection for newly arrived migrants. Search '[your suburb] English conversation group' or check with your local library, migrant resource centre, or council website.

Pair up with an Australian native speaker learning your first language for free mutual language practice. Apps like Tandem and HelloTalk connect you globally; local Meetup groups in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth organise regular in-person language exchange meetups.

Australia's national broadcaster (ABC) offers free English learning resources specifically for migrants and ESL learners. 'Australia Plus' and 'ABC Education' provide videos, articles, and audio in plain English with Australian English pronunciation. Excellent for getting used to Australian accents, idioms, and culture while improving language skills.

SBS (Special Broadcasting Service) offers free English language podcasts and exercises specifically designed for new migrants to Australia. 'SBS Learn English' podcasts are available in multiple languages explaining Australian life in plain English. Available on the SBS app, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Gamified daily practice app. Good for building vocabulary and maintaining consistency. English course available for speakers of 40+ languages. Not sufficient alone beyond A2 but excellent as a daily habit alongside other study.

Online preparation platforms for IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) — the two main English proficiency tests required for skilled migration, university entry, and professional registration in Australia. Both platforms offer practice tests, band score feedback, and target band strategies.

Book one-on-one online English lessons with Australian or other native English tutors. Community tutors charge $8–$20/hour; professional teachers $20–$50/hour. Excellent for IELTS speaking preparation or Australian workplace English practice.

University of California and other universities offer free auditable Academic English Writing and EAP (English for Academic Purposes) courses on Coursera. Ideal for migrants preparing for university study in Australia.