Is ELICOS Really the High Risk?

I was genuinely surprised to learn that ELICOS courses are viewed as high risk by the Australian government. If we’re talking about risk, one could argue that inconsistent quality assurance among certain private VET providers poses a far greater concern than English language programs, which are often the cornerstone of a student’s educational journey in Australia.

Despite the recent ESOS Act review and talk of increasing international student caps, ELICOS was noticeably absent.

If the government’s position is that standalone English courses are too risky, then let’s be transparent about it. Clearly define English as a valid pathway only when packaged with VET or higher education, or restrict delivery to short-term or offshore programs.

But undermining the sector through silent policy shifts, widespread visa refusals, and unaffordable application fees is unjust. 

ELICOS providers play a crucial role in setting students up for success, often acting as the first and most formative step in their global education journey. For thousands of students, learning English is not an optional add-on. It’s the most essential part of their entire study plan in Australia.

The international education sector deserves transparency. And international students deserve fairness.

#InternationalEducation #ELICOS #StudentVisa #EducationPolicy #Australia #EnglishLanguage #ESOS #MigrationPolicy