What is ELICOS?

The acronym ELICOS is an abbreviation that stands for English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students. ELICOS is the Australian equivalent of English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) courses. 

An ELICOS course focuses on English language instruction and is delivered to students from overseas who are residing in Australia. The word 'Intensive' is defined as a full-time study program of face-to-face classes, comprising of a minimum of 20 scheduled course contact hours per week.  ELICOS courses are specifically aimed at students holding a student visa, but learners can also hold other types of visas, including Working Holiday, Tourist and Bridging. 

Who can deliver ELICOS Courses?

An ELICOS provider can be connected to a Registered Training Organisation, a Higher Education institution, or be a stand-alone language school. Your entity needs to be an Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) provider that is listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). You also need to have at least one ELICOS course on your scope, approved by either the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) or the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).

ASQA is the national regulator for Vocational Education and Training. 
TEQSA is the national regulator for Higher Education.