What Is ELICOS - English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students

Australia has long been a destination for students who bring ambition, talent, and fresh perspectives. Currently, there are around 723,000 international students in the country. 

However, English fluency doesn't always travel with them. The English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) provide a practical pathway for these students into the English language. Besides equipping them for academics, the course also helps make English a working part of their everyday life.

The program further helps students participate in group discussions without paying to translate and understand nuance beyond the dictionary definition. Below, we discuss ELICOS in detail.

What Are ELICOS or English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students?

ELICOS stands for English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students. It's a formal program category in Australia designed for international learners who want or need to improve their English skills before entering further education or work.

These courses aren’t casual or conversational drop-in classes. They’re part of a regulated framework overseen by the Australian government, built to support students who hold a student visa and require English language training that aligns with academic or vocational goals.

Each ELICOS program is delivered by a registered provider and must follow strict national standards. The regulation brings consistency in teaching quality, assessment, and outcomes, regardless of where the student studies.

Plus, the intensity of the courses is also a key feature. Classes are full-time, and they move quickly. By the end of the course, students are able to apply English in real time across reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Some students join ELICOS because they need to meet English requirements for a university offer. Others are preparing for Technical and Further Education (TAFE), private colleges, or simply want to feel confident communicating in a new country.

Importantly, ELICOS is not a single course. It’s a category that includes different program types, such as General English, English for Academic Purposes (EAP), IELTS preparation, and English for Specific Purposes. Each option is tailored to the learner’s background and current level.

Types of ELICOS Courses

Since students arrive in Australia with different skill levels and timeframes, it's understandable that ELICOS courses are of different types. Here are some common ones.

General English

General English courses are often the starting point for students who want to build foundational language skills. These programs focus on improving everyday communication, such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing. They also teach vocabulary and grammar in real-life contexts.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

English for Academic Purposes is designed for students heading into university, TAFE, or vocational training. It's more structured and often includes practice with essay writing, oral presentations, and note-taking during lectures. These courses emphasize formal writing, critical thinking, academic reading strategies, and research skills.

Exam Preparation (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE)

Students typically have to meet English language entry scores for immigration or university. For these students, exam prep courses are available. They focus on specific test formats such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic.

Practice tests, feedback sessions, and time management techniques are commonly built into the course structure.

English for Specific Purposes (ESP)

ESP courses are tailored to the vocabulary, scenarios, and communication styles of specific industries. Some common focus areas include English for business, healthcare, hospitality, or aviation.

Students in these programs often already have a basic command of English. They are looking to refine it for workplace or professional contexts. Lessons typically include role-play, industry-relevant vocabulary, and practical communication tasks like writing emails or handling client interactions.

High School Preparation

These programs are created for international students preparing to enter Australian secondary schools. They combine English language instruction with orientation to school life, covering classroom culture, common subjects, assessment formats, and even study habits.

Who Can Deliver ELICOS?

Delivering ELICOS in Australia isn’t open to just anyone. It’s a regulated space, and for good reason. These programs are tied directly to student visas, academic progression, and institutional integrity.

To legally offer ELICOS to international students on student visas within Australia, providers must be registered under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act.

They must be listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). Without this registration, a provider cannot offer ELICOS programs to student visa holders.

Registration also requires that the specific course and its delivery location are approved. They must also appear on the CRICOS listing. A provider can’t simply offer an English course and call it ELICOS. It must meet the specific compliance requirements that define it as such.

More importantly, not all English language programs fall under the ELICOS umbrella. If a provider plans to teach English to international students outside of Australia, or to those already in the country on non-student visas (such as work or migration pathways), they don’t need to register under ESOS. These situations aren’t covered under ELICOS legislation.

There’s also no requirement to be a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to run ELICOS courses. While some RTOs do offer English language training, these are typically part of the VET sector and follow different rules. Those courses serve different purposes and aren't categorized as ELICOS.

Who Oversees ELICOS Delivery?

Oversight depends on who is offering the course. The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) regulates certain providers, particularly those operating as standalone language colleges or independent training institutions.

However, ASQA doesn’t regulate ELICOS delivery by schools, universities, or providers offering higher education pathway programs. These are governed under other frameworks. For example, higher education pathway programs are overseen by the Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA). Meanwhile, schools have to apply for ELICOS eligibility to the relevant state regulatory bodies.

How to Become an ELICOS Provider?

If you have a repository of English lessons, that doesn't make you an ELICOS provider. You require official registration and compliance with national education laws to get this title.

Here's what you need to do.

Step 1: Understand the Registration Pathways

To start, you must be registered as a provider under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act). The registration places your institution on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

If you plan to deliver VET English programs to overseas students, you must be both an RTO and an ESOS provider.

However, if your institution will offer only ELICOS courses and not VET qualifications, you do not need to become an RTO. In that case, you only need ESOS provider registration.

Step 2: Apply to the Correct Authority

Depending on the type of institution you operate, you'll apply to a different regulatory body. ASQA handles applications for:

• New providers offering ELICOS courses
• Existing RTOs seeking to add ELICOS to their scope
• Combined RTO + ESOS registration

TEQSA is responsible for higher education institutions or those offering ELICOS as part of a university or pathway program. Meanwhile, state education regulators manage school-based ELICOS programs. These are not covered by ASQA.

Step 3: Demonstrate Readiness and Capability

Applications are assessed rigorously. You’ll need to show that your institution is capable of delivering high-quality education and maintaining ongoing compliance with national standards.

You must be:

• Having appropriate facilities and resources
• Employing qualified and experienced staff
• Demonstrating clear policies for student support and assessment
• Presenting a plan for continuous quality improvement

Regulators check how ready you are for real-world problems students might face. More importantly, the training you provide should prepare learners to meet the demands of the country's education system.

Step 4: Register the ELICOS Course and Delivery Locations

Once approved as an ESOS provider, you must list each ELICOS course you intend to deliver on CRICOS, along with every location where delivery will occur. Courses not listed and campuses not approved cannot legally offer training to overseas students on student visas.

Step 5: Understand Jurisdictional Limits

If your business is based in Victoria or Western Australia, you generally cannot register with ASQA unless you intend to:

• Offer courses in other states or territories
• Deliver training to overseas students on student visas

Otherwise, applications must go through the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) or the Training Accreditation Council (TAC) in WA.

After you're registered and certified to provide ELICOS, you can then start designing your course. A course builder like Coursebox can simplify this process while providing assistance through its AI assessment creator and grader. You can also make your course more engaging with interactive elements and a built-in chatbot.

Conclusion

English forms the foundation for every conversation, assignment, interview, and opportunity that follows for international students in Australia. ELICOS programs recognize that.

Besides language instruction, these courses create space for students to step into academic life and communicate without hesitation. Behind each course is a framework of standards, oversight, and professional teaching designed to support student progress. As an ELICOS provider, you must keep up to date with these requirements as a part of your commitment to quality education. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What does ELICOS mean in Australia?

ELICOS stands for English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students. It’s a regulated program designed for international learners needing English language training before entering Australian universities, vocational courses, or workplaces.

Who should take an ELICOS course?

ELICOS is ideal for international students who need to improve their English before starting higher education or professional work in Australia. It’s also suited for those seeking confidence in everyday communication, preparing for exams like IELTS, or learning industry-specific English. 

What types of ELICOS courses are available?

Common ELICOS types include General English, English for Academic Purposes (EAP), IELTS or TOEFL exam preparation, English for Specific Purposes (ESP), and High School Preparation programs.

How is ELICOS regulated in Australia?

ELICOS is regulated under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act. Providers must be listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) and meet strict national standards. Oversight is shared among ASQA, TEQSA, and state education authorities.

Can any school or college offer ELICOS?

No. Only institutions registered under the ESOS Act and listed on CRICOS can deliver ELICOS to student visa holders in Australia. Providers must register each course and demonstrate readiness.

What is the difference between ELICOS and other English courses?

While many institutions offer English courses, ELICOS programs are specifically designed for overseas students on student visas and follow strict national quality standards. Other English courses may not require CRICOS registration or meet the same regulatory and visa-linked requirements.

How can I design an ELICOS course after certification?

Once you are certified to provide ELICOS, you can start designing your course using a course builder like Coursebox. Such platforms simplify course creation by offering tools like AI-powered assessment creators and graders. You can also enhance your course engagement by adding interactive elements and utilizing built-in chatbots for learner support.

How long does it take to complete an ELICOS course?

The length of an ELICOS course varies depending on a student’s starting English level and goals. Programs typically run from 5 to 20 weeks, with full-time study of at least 20 hours per week.