Skip to main content

Learn English

TAFE courses have English level requirements to ensure you can understand, participate and succeed in your studies. If you need to improve your English skills, you can study English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) as a packaged study pathway.

English entry requirements

  • You can view specific English level admission requirements on each course page in our course catalogue.
  • Most courses need an English level of IELTS 6.0 (Academic) with no band below 5.0, however some courses have higher English requirements* to ensure you can meet industry requirements and communicate effectively.
  • To start ELICOS, you will need to demonstrate a minimum English level equivalent to Academic IELTS 5.0.
International student Johan

Packaging English studies with TAFE

  • If ELICOS is required, we will send you a conditional Letter of Offer outlining the number of weeks of English study you need to complete before starting your TAFE course.
  • While TIWA does not deliver ELICOS directly, we partner with trusted English language colleges in Perth.  
  • You choose an English language college provider and contact them directly to arrange a packaged offer that combines English studies with your TAFE course.

English language colleges

Here is a list of our trusted English language partners and the courses they offer that meet the IELTS 6.0 equivalent requirement for TAFE admissions. 

CollegeIELTS 6.0 equivalent courses

Courses at ILSC

  • General English Program: Complete ILSC Intermediate 3 course with Overall Grade B (Achieve ILSC Intermediate 4 proficiency level upon exit) ; or
  • English for Academic Purposes Program: Complete ILSC Intermediate 3 course with Overall Grade B (Achieve ILSC Intermediate 4 proficiency level upon exit) ; or
  • IELTS Mastery Program: Complete ILSC Intermediate 3 course with Overall Grade B (Achieve ILSC Intermediate 4 proficiency level upon exit).
Language Links International logo

languagelinks.wa.edu.au(opens in a new tab) 
CRICOS 02139J 

Courses at Language Links

  • General English: Upper-Intermediate B no band below Intermediate A; or
  • English for IELTS and Academic Purposes (EIAP): Upper-Intermediate B no band below Intermediate A.
Lexis English logo

lexisenglish.com(opens in a new tab)
CRICOS 03274E 

Courses at Lexis English

  • IELTS Exam Preparation; or
  • General English (Advanced) A score 84-100% ; or
  • Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE)/B2 First: C score (50%-66%) or B score (67%-83%); or
  • Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)/C1 Advanced: C score (50%-66%); or 
  • English for Academic Purposes 1 (EAP1): C score (50%-66%) or B score (67%-83%) ; or
  • English for Academic Purposes 2 (EAP2): C score (50%-66%).
Milner logo

milner.wa.edu.au(opens in a new tab)
CRICOS 00061J 

Courses at Milner

  • General English Upper Intermediate 2; or
  • English for Academic Purposes IEAP (with no band below 5.5); or
  • Cambridge English – B2 First (FCE): Grade C and above.
Navitas English logo

navitasenglish.edu.au(opens in a new tab)
CRICOS 00289M

Courses at Navitas English

  • Academic English 3: 60% pass with no skill below 40%; or
  • General English (Upper-Intermediate): Grade B pass (no skill less than grade D); or
  • Cambridge Preparation - B2 First: Overall Cambridge English Scale score minimum 169 (no skill less than 154); or  
  • IELTS Preparation: Grade B pass (no skill less than grade D).
Phoenix Academy logo

phoenix.wa.edu.au(opens in a new tab) 
CRICOS 00066D 

Courses at Phoenix Academy

  • General English: B2 overall with no band lower than B1+; or
  • Academic English Program (AEP): B2 overall with no band lower than B1+.
UWA logo

celt.uwa.edu.au(opens in a new tab) 
CRICOS 00126G

Courses at UWA CELT

  • Language and Communication Essentials (LCE): Pre-advanced with an overall score of 70% with no score below 55% ; or
  • English for Academic Purposes (Upper Intermediate to Advanced): Overall score of 65% with no score less than 55%; or
  • IELTS Examination (Upper Intermediate): Overall score of 65% and no score below 55 %; or
  • Academic and Study Skills Bridging Course Module 1: Overall score 70% .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application process to package English with TAFE?

Follow these easy steps to apply for a TAFE course and package it with English language studies at one of our partner English language colleges.
 

Icon - document on a laptop computer device

1. Apply to TIWA
Apply for your TAFE program, either directly to TIWA or via an education agent. If unsure, ask your agent or contact TIWA(opens in a new tab) for advice.

Icon - hand under star symbol

2. Receive your offer
If English language study is needed (ELICOS), TIWA will send you a conditional Letter of Offer, advising how many weeks of English you must complete before your TAFE program.

Icon - clipboard with tick

3. Meet all conditions in your Letter of offer (apart from English)
Make sure you complete any other conditions promptly for your TAFE program, like submitting documents or meeting entry criteria.

Icon - person network chart

4. Choose your partner English language college
Contact an English language college with your TIWA conditional Letter of Offer, to arrange ELICOS and TAFE programs in one package. Pay ELICOS program fees directly to your English language college.

Icon - hand under envelope

5. Receive ELICOS confirmation
After enrolling in your ELICOS course, you will receive your ELICOS Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). Send this document to TIWA  admissions.tiwa@dtwd.wa.gov.au for verification.

Icon - money

6. Pay the AUD$500 packaging deposit to secure a CoE
Pay your AUD$500 deposit to TIWA. Once payment is confirmed, you receive a TAFE Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to finalise your visa application.

Icon - document on a laptop computer device

Ready to apply to TIWA?

You can choose from over 100 TAFE courses. View our TAFE course application process for advice.

Apply Now(opens in a new tab)

How long does it take to complete ELICOS? 

The duration of ELICOS depends on your current English level. If you need to improve from an IELTS 5.0 to 6.0, it typically takes around 10-20 weeks of study. However, this can vary based on your progress.

Can I choose which English language college I want to study at? 

Yes, you can choose any of our partner colleges. Each offers a variety of programs tailored to different levels of English proficiency.

Do I need to pay for ELICOS before I start my TAFE course? 

Yes, you will need to pay for your ELICOS program directly to the English language college before starting your TAFE course.

What if my English level is higher than the minimum required? 

If your English level is already high enough, you may be exempt from studying ELICOS and can proceed directly into your TAFE course.

Can I work while studying ELICOS and TAFE? 

Yes, once your student visa is approved, you are allowed to work a limited number of hours while studying in accordance with your visa conditions.

gfdfs

We’re here to help 

We understand that studying in a new country can feel overwhelming, especially when you're adjusting to a new culture, environment, and language. That's why we’re here to guide you. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions – we’re excited to help you start your journey to success!

* Courses with higher English requirements

These English levels ensure you can meet industry requirements and communicate effectively:

Share this page
Last updated on June 16, 2025