‘ELICOS’ stands for ‘English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students’. ELICOS programs are designed for students who require English language training before starting their formal studies in Australia. These programs are open to all, including people who are in Australia on a tourist or visitor’s visa and people who do not want to do any further study after their English classes are over. In these cases, however, restrictions may apply.

Who do the ELICOS standards apply to?

The ELICOS Standards apply to providers who deliver courses which are solely or predominantly of English language instruction to student visa holders in Australia.

What is the definition of ELICOS?

For the purposes of the ELICOS Standards, an ELICOS course is a course of education or training that is:

• solely or predominantly of English language instruction; and
• provided, or intended to be provided, to an overseas student as defined in section 5 of the ESOS Act.

Courses which do not fall within the definition of ‘ELICOS’ include, but are not limited to:

• English language programs provided exclusively to non-student visa holders;
• English as additional language programs or support services offered within the school sector as part of a school curriculum; and
• Foundation Programs.

What is included in the ELICOS?

• General English course, or a course in English for business, graphic arts, the hospitality industry, academic studies, or postgraduate studies.
• English for employment opportunities
• Special courses in preparation for the Cambridge University examinations, IELTS or TOEFL.
• EAP programs aim to improve students’ English language and academic skills and are designed to prepare students for direct entry to a VET Qualification or Higher Education.

What are the benefits of having ELICOS programs on scope

There are a number of benefits of having ELICOS programs on your scope, such as:

• English language improvement and advancement for international students.
• You can offer pathway programs to international students who have not scored direct adequate English language proficiency score to start their formal studies in Australia.
• You can offer language, literacy and numeracy support to the international students.
• You can offer education and employment pathways to the students

Guidelines for regulatory authorities

The National Standards for ELICOS providers and courses (ELICOS Standards) are guidelines for regulatory authorities to make recommendations for acceptance of providers to be registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) under the ESOS legislative framework.

Who are ELICOS providers and their types?

ELICOS providers can be distinguished as

• Stand-alone ELICOS only providers
• Vocational education course providers
• Higher education course providers

The status of English Language Teaching in Australia

Market Growth Trend (Calendar Years)

2012 – 95,000 ELICOS student enrolments

2013 – 115,000          

2014 – 137,000

2015 – 65,000 YTD Jan-Mar growth to 165,000 +

(figures https://internationaleducation.gov.au/research/International-Student-Data)

Our ELICOS course list includes the following:

If you are interested in adding ELICOS to your scope or you need quality assessment and learning resources, we have the following resources available:

• General English – Elementary to Advanced (5 Levels)
• English for Academic Purpose – Elementary to Advanced (5 Levels)
• English for IELTS – Elementary to Advanced (5 Levels)
• English for PTE – Elementary to Advanced (5 Levels)

We are currently developing resources for the following ELICOS resources:

• English for Business
• English for Travel and Tourism
• English for Hospitality

Speak with one of our ELICOS experts today regarding how we can assist you with quality training and assessment resources and addition to scope. Send an email to info@caqa.com.au for more information.

Stay tuned for more… our coming newsletters will cover the following topics:

• Part 2: Can ELICOS and VET co-exist? English language requirements to enroll in the course and length of the course
• Part 3: Understanding the ELICOS Standards (In a nutshell)
• Special edition on frequently asked questions and answers on ELICOS

Compliance products from Compliance and Quality Assurance (CAQA)

The following compliance products are available:

• Policies and Procedures for an RTO
• Policies and Procedures for a CRICOS RTO
• Policies and Procedures for an ERTO
• RTO forms and flow charts
• RTO student handbook (pre-enrolment and post-enrolment)
• RTO staff handbook
• RTO compliance registers
• Training and assessment strategies
• Internal audit guidelines and template pack
• CRICOS student orientation kit
• CRICOS audit guidelines and template pack
• Pre-training enrolment pack
• Marketing materials (customised to your RTO)
• Marketing audit pack (checklists and policies)
• Recognition of prior learning (RPL) kits
• Continuous improvement documentation
• Assessment validation documentation for review of assessor judgements and assessment tools
• Internal auditing templates
• Staff recruitment, induction and professional development documentation
• Strategic and business plan templates
• RTO registration financial viability pro forma documentation
• Workplace delivery documentation

We are happy to provide a package price, contact us to discuss your compliance requirements!

New Information Technology resources

The following resources are now available for purchase. The assessment and learner resources have been developed by subject matter experts from the ICT industry. All resources have been checked by external validators to ensure they comply with training package requirements and industry expectations.

• ICT10115 – Certificate I in Information, Digital Media and Technology
• ICT20115 – Certificate II in Information, Digital Media and Technology
• ICT30118 – Certificate III in Information, Digital Media and Technology
• ICT40118 – Certificate IV in Information Technology
• ICT40315 – Certificate IV in Web-Based Technologies
• ICT40418 – Certificate IV in Information Technology Networking
• ICT40518 – Certificate IV in Programming
• ICT40915 – Certificate IV in Digital and Interactive Games
• ICT50118 – Diploma of Information Technology
• ICT50915 – Diploma of Digital Media Technologies
• ICT50415 – Diploma of Information Technology Networking
• ICT50818 – Diploma of Systems Analysis and Design
• ICT50718 – Diploma of Software Development
• ICT50615 – Diploma of Website Development
• CUA51015 – Diploma of Screen and Media
• ICT60215 – Advanced Diploma of Network Security
• ICT60515 – Advanced Diploma of Computer Systems Technology

Accounting resources

We have developed these assessment resources for a number of TAFE’s and the resources are now available for your RTO. The list of qualifications includes the following:

• FNS30317 Certificate III in Accounts Administration
• FNS40217 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
• FNS50217 Diploma of Accounting
• FNS60217 Advanced Diploma of Accounting

Community service resources

Our Community Services’ assessment and learner resources have been developed by instructional designers and subject matter experts with extensive experience and background in the community services sector. All training and assessment resources are also internally and externally validated by compliance experts. The list of qualifications includes the following:

• CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support
• CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support
• CHC43115 Certificate IV in Disability
• CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services
• CHC62015 Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management

RII – Resources and Infrastructure resources

We have developed these assessment resources. Including the following:

• RII20715 Certificate II in Civil Construction
• RII30915 Certificate III in Civil Construction

Coming soon

• HLT54115 – Diploma of Nursing (available from mid-2019) – A number of units of competency are now available for purchase from January 2019.

The VET Sector Website

A new website is coming soon to cover all the latest news, opinions, views and blogs. More details in our next newsletter.

New Information Technology resources

The following resources are now available for purchase. The assessment and learner resources have been developed by subject matter experts from the industry. All resources have been checked by external validators to ensure they comply with training package requirements and industry expectations.

• ICT10115 Certificate I in Information, Digital Media and Technology
• ICT20115 – Certificate II in Information, Digital Media and Technology
• ICT40415 Certificate IV in Information Technology Networking
• ICT40115 Certificate IV in Information Technology
• ICT50115 Diploma of Information Technology
• ICT50415 Diploma of Information Technology Networking
• ICT60215 Advanced Diploma of Network Security

Accounting resources

We have developed these assessment resources for a number of TAFE’s and the resources are now available for your RTO. The list of qualifications includes the following:

• FNS30317 Certificate III in Accounts Administration
• FNS40217 Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
• FNS50217 Diploma of Accounting
• FNS60217 Advanced Diploma of Accounting

Community service resources

Our community service assessment and learner resources have been developed by instructional designers and subject matter experts with extensive experience and background in the community service sector. All training and assessment resources are also internally and externally validated by compliance experts. The list of qualifications includes the following:

• CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support
• CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support
• CHC43115 Certificate IV in Disability
• CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services
• CHC62015 Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management

RII – Resources and Infrastructure resources

We have developed these assessment resources. The list of qualifications include the following:

• RII20715 Certificate II in Civil Construction
• RII30915 Certificate III in Civil Construction

Coming soon

• HLT54115 – Diploma of Nursing (Available from mid-2019) – A number of units of competency are available to purchase from January 2019.

Compliance products from Compliance and Quality Assurance (CAQA)

The following compliance products are available to purchase:

• Policies and Procedures for an RTO
• Policies and Procedures for a CRICOS RTO
• Policies and Procedures for an ERTO
• RTO forms and flow charts
• RTO student handbook (pre-enrolment and post-enrolment)
• RTO staff handbook
• RTO compliance registers
• Training and assessment strategies
• Internal audit guidelines and template pack
• CRICOS student orientation kit
• CRICOS audit guidelines and template pack
• Pre-training enrolment pack
• Marketing materials (customised to your RTO)
• Marketing audit pack (checklists and policies)
• Recognition of prior learning (RPL) kits
• Continuous improvement documentation
• Assessment validation documentation for review of assessor judgements and assessment tools
• Internal auditing templates
• Staff recruitment, induction and professional development documentation
• Strategic and business plan templates
• RTO registration financial viability pro forma documentation
• Workplace delivery documentation

The VET Sector Website

A new website is coming soon to cover all the latest news, opinions, views and blogs. More details in our next newsletter. 

The VET Sector News

Strengthening Skills: Expert Review of Australia’s Vocational Education and Training System

On 28 November 2018, the Prime Minister announced an independent review of Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector to examine ways to deliver skilled workers for a stronger economy. The review was led by the Honourable Steven Joyce, a former New Zealand Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment. Mr Joyce delivered the final report to the Government in March 2019.

Click here for more information

Trainer and assessor credential requirements

The implementation date for new trainer and assessor credential requirements postponed from 1 April 2019 to 1 July 2019

​Commonwealth Dept of Education & Training

Click here for more information

Enrolments at Queensland TAFE slump by 45,000 since 2013

The number of TAFE students in Queensland has slumped by 79,000 since 2011 and by more than 45,000 since 2013.

Click here for more information

Generation Z: Life at 17

This infographic provides a snapshot of the lives of 17-year-old Australians in relation to school, work, living arrangements and the skills future workplaces will require. We use the latest LSAY data from those who were 17-years-old in 2017 to look at the group of young Australians who will transition from school to a world of work demanding new skills and experience.

Click here for more information