Introduction

English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) form a significant part of Australia’s international education industry.

Students come from overseas to study English for a variety of reasons. Some need to improve their English for work or career purposes, some have a personal interest in becoming fluent in English, and some intend to travel. Others may want to continue their education in English, either in Australia or elsewhere, and need to develop the language skills to undertake further study.

Delivering English language instruction to students who have travelled to Australia requires a pedagogical approach to ensure effective language acquisition by the student.

Regulatory Framework for ELICOS

English language courses provided to overseas students as defined in section 5 of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) must be registered as ELICOS on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

To gain registration on CRICOS, a provider must be approved by its ESOS agency as meeting:

the requirements of the ESOS Act and associated regulations and legislative instruments, including the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code) made under section 33 of the Act; and
the ELICOS Standards 2018, made under section 176B(1) of the Act.

The National Code established under the ESOS Act sets out standards for all registered providers of education and training to overseas students in Australia on a student visa. The ELICOS Standards outline specific quality requirements for registered providers and are in addition to the National Code requirements.

Definition

For the purposes of the ELICOS Standards, an ELICOS course is a course of education or training that is:

solely or predominantly of English language instruction; and
provided, or intended to be provided, to an overseas student as defined in section 5 of the ESOS Act.

Courses which do not fall within the definition of ‘ELICOS’ include, but are not limited to:

English language programs provided exclusively to non-student visa holders;
English as an additional language programs or support services provided within the school sector as part of a school curriculum; and
Foundation Programs.