General English in Sydney

There is no minimum English requirement for entry into General English, however you may be required to sit a placement test to determine which level of English you should be taking.The minimum age for enrolling in a General English course in Australia is typically 16 or 18 years old, depending on the specific institution and course.

The application process for General English is straightforward, but there are a series of steps involved:

• Research and find the right course for you, weighing up factors such as outcome, course location, cost and duration.
• Understand the applicable fees, payment conditions, and any additional charges for resources.
• Apply online or in writing. You can do this yourself or via an approved education agent. As part of the application, you may be required to provide documents, including: a copy of your current passport, a copy of your current Australian visa (if you hold one), a copy of your further studies offer to an Australian institution, a copy of any official English test results: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Cambridge.
• If your application is successful, you will receive a letter of offer. At this stage you will be required to complete the enrolment process and pay a deposit.
• Once enrolled, you will receive a confirmation of enrolment, which can be used as part of the visa application process.
• Find accommodation and make your travel arrangements.

The costs of studying General English can vary depending on the type of course you select, the duration, educational institution, and its location. In general, tuition fees range from $250 to $460 per week for full-time study. There may also be additional costs, including:

• Enrolment or admission fee - which can range from $150 to $300 or more.
• Materials fee - Some institutions charge a materials fee, which may be around $20 per week or more.
• Accommodation costs - Costs for accommodation vary depending on type and location. For example homestay including meals can cost on average $200 to $410 a week, or on-campus accommodation can cost anywhere between $180 - $400 per week.
• Accommodation placement fee - You can expect to pay an accommodation fee if you are going through a Homestay provider or your education institution is sourcing accommodation on your behalf. This can be anywhere between $200 and $410.

A number of visas allow you to study General English courses in Australia. In short, the following visas may apply: Student Visa - If your main intention is to come to Australia and study for a period that extends beyond a few months, then the Student Visa is likely to be the most suitable option. This visa allows you to study an eligible course, including English language courses, for up to five years. Visitor Visa - This visa covers shorter language courses, with the Visitor Visa (subclass 600), Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) and eVisitor (subclass 651) allowing for up to three months of study in Australia. Working Holiday Visa - The Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462) and Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) allow you to study English for up to four months during your stay in Australia. Student Guardian Visa - The guardian looking after an overseas student is eligible to complete an English course up to three months long. Training Visa - If you’re nominated, sponsored or invited to come to Australia on a Training Visa (subclass 407) for work based training or professional development of up to two years, you can study English as part of your training. You can learn more about the different visas that allow you to study in Australia, along with the conditions attached to them and the application process, here.

Whether or not you can work in Australia while studying English depends on the type of visa you hold. In brief:

• Student Visas allow you to work 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session
• Student Guardian Visas do not allow you to work in Australia
• Training Visas may allow you to work in Australia under specific conditions
• Working Holiday Visas allow you to work
• Visitor Visas do not permit you to work in Australia

There are a number of accommodation options available for studying in Australia. Private rentals - Such as a house, duplex, apartment or even granny flat that is rented through a real estate agency or landlord for a set period. Short-stay accommodation - Such as a hotel, hostel or Airbnb. Share accommodation - Where you rent a room in a house shared with other people. University managed accommodation - Many universities and institutions offer their own accommodation options, which can range from residential colleges with all meals included to fully furnished boarding houses and apartment complexes. Managed student accommodation - Often run by private companies, managed student accommodation involves purpose built, student-only rental properties where options range from studio apartments to single rooms with shared communal spaces and cooking areas. Homestay - Homestay accommodation sees you stay with a family in their home. Some accommodation and a number of independent businesses specialise in helping overseas students source Homestay accommodation.

English is the most widely spoken language in the world, making it a valuable asset in life and in your career. When it comes to learning English, General English is a great starting point. Covering spoken and written English that is used in everyday situations, the course allows you to improve your conversational, reading, and written English skills for work, study, and travel. General English is available for all different levels of proficiency, allowing you to learn the basics, improve your existing skills or progress through the different stages to become a fully proficient English speaker. General English is also a stepping stone into both Academic English and English for Specific Purposes as it allows you to improve your general comprehension before moving onto more specialised English language study.