IELTS Preparation (CRICOS course code 056499E) is a Non AQF Award delivered by Imagine Education Australia Pty Ltd as trustee for The Imagine Education Australia Unit Trust over 20 weeks. This course is designed to help international students prepare for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam, a key requirement for university entry and visa applications in many English-speaking countries. As a CRICOS-registered course, it provides a structured pathway to improve English proficiency at the ELICOS level, focusing on reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Located in Queensland, the course is offered at multiple campuses, including Southport and Spring Hill, giving students flexibility in choosing their study environment. With indicative tuition of A$9,400 and non-tuition fees of A$250, the estimated total cost is A$9,650—though these fees are set by the provider and subject to change. HeadStart Academy, as a free resource, sources all data directly from the official CRICOS register (April 2026) to ensure accuracy. For international students, understanding the details of this course—including entry requirements, visa implications, and delivery locations—is essential for making an informed decision.
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IELTS Preparation falls under the field of education '09 - Society and Culture', specifically '0915 - Language and Literature' and '091501 - ELICOS'. At this level—Non AQF Award—students typically develop foundational to intermediate English language skills necessary for academic and professional settings. The course is not a qualification in itself but prepares students for the IELTS test, which assesses English competence across four modules. Graduates of such programs often gain confidence in using English for everyday communication and academic tasks. While the exact syllabus is set by the provider, ELICOS courses generally cover grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and test-taking strategies. Imagine Education Australia’s program likely integrates practice tests and feedback sessions to simulate the real exam environment. This preparation is crucial for students aiming to meet university entry scores or visa English requirements, which often range from IELTS 5.5 to 7.0 overall depending on the institution and course level.
The course is delivered over 20 weeks as listed on the CRICOS register. Instruction is in English, and it is a single qualification—no dual awards or foundation studies are included. The language of instruction being English means students are immersed in the language from day one, accelerating their learning. With a duration of 20 weeks, this is a relatively short program, suitable for students who need to improve their IELTS score before applying for further studies or migration. The course is offered at multiple campuses in Queensland: 13 Benowa Road, SOUTHPORT; Level 2, 170 Leichhardt St, Spring Hill QLD; and Southport Central Campus, Cnr Lawson and Scarborough Street, Southport. Each location provides access to public transport and student amenities. Southport, a major suburb of the Gold Coast, has a vibrant student community, while Spring Hill is close to Brisbane’s city centre. Students can choose the campus that best fits their lifestyle and commuting needs.
The indicative tuition fee for IELTS Preparation at Imagine Education Australia is A$9,400, with non-tuition fees of A$250, bringing the estimated total to A$9,650. Please note: these figures are sourced from the CRICOS register as at April 2026 and are set by the provider—they may change. Additional costs not included are Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), living expenses, and the student visa application charge. For reference, the Department of Home Affairs recommends living costs of approximately A$21,041 per year for a single student, plus A$8,296 for a partner or child. OSHC typically costs between A$500 and A$700 per year depending on cover level. Always confirm current fees with Imagine Education Australia directly via their website (www.imagineeducation.com.au). HeadStart Academy does not charge referral fees—we are a free resource for students.
English language requirements vary by provider. For IELTS Preparation courses, providers typically expect a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 to 6.0 overall, though some may accept lower scores for beginner levels. Since this is a Non AQF Award, prior academic qualifications may not be strictly required, but students should have completed secondary education equivalent to Australian Year 12. Foundation or pathway options are not part of this course, but Imagine Education Australia may offer pre-ELICOS programs for those with lower English proficiency. It is essential to check with the provider for specific entry criteria, as they can include age requirements, visa conditions, and English test validity periods. The course is designed for international students, so a valid student visa is necessary—see the student visa section for more detail.
This course does not include a mandatory work component. It is purely academic, focusing on IELTS test preparation without integrated work placements or internships. However, students holding a Student visa (Subclass 500) are permitted to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks, subject to visa conditions. This allows students to gain part-time work experience while studying. Australia has strong worker protections under the Fair Work Act, ensuring international students are paid at least the national minimum wage. Southport and Spring Hill offer many casual job opportunities in hospitality, retail, and administration. Always check your visa conditions regarding work rights before starting employment.
IELTS Preparation is delivered at three campuses in Queensland: (1) 13 Benowa Road, SOUTHPORT—located in the Gold Coast region, a popular destination for international students with over 100 CRICOS-registered providers; (2) Level 2, 170 Leichhardt St, Spring Hill QLD—in Brisbane’s inner city, close to public transport and student hubs; and (3) Southport Central Campus, Cnr Lawson and Scarborough Street, Southport—another Southport location near major shopping centres and the beach. Queensland itself hosts over 300 CRICOS-registered providers and offers a warm climate, affordable living costs compared to Sydney or Melbourne, and a growing student population. Southport has a high density of education providers, while Spring Hill is near Brisbane’s CBD, giving students easy access to libraries, cafes, and cultural attractions. Weekly rent in Southport averages A$200–$350 for shared accommodation, with groceries costing around A$80–$150 per week.
International students enrolling in IELTS Preparation will need a Student visa (Subclass 500). This visa requires confirmation of enrolment (CoE) in a CRICOS-registered course, which this course provides. Applicants must meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement, demonstrate sufficient financial capacity (tuition, living costs, OSHC, and travel), and have adequate health insurance. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for the duration of the visa—costs range from A$500 to A$700 per year. Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while term is in session and unlimited hours during breaks. The visa also allows for a stay of up to 5 years depending on the course length. HeadStart Academy is not a registered migration agent; consult a MARA-registered agent or the Department of Home Affairs for personalised advice. All CRICOS-registered courses are protected under the ESOS Act, ensuring tuition fee protection and quality standards.
Applying for IELTS Preparation at Imagine Education Australia is straightforward. Follow these three steps: 1) Research CRICOS-registered providers—use HeadStart Academy to filter by course level, field, and city. For this course, ensure the provider is CRICOS-registered (code 02695C) and that the course code 056499E meets your goals. 2) Apply directly to your chosen institution—prepare your academic transcripts, English test results (if applicable), and other documents. Imagine Education Australia may have specific application deadlines and entry requirements, so visit their website (www.imagineeducation.com.au) for details. 3) Receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and apply for your Student visa (Subclass 500)—after acceptance, the provider issues a CoE, which you need for the visa application. Include your CoE, proof of funds, OSHC, and GTE statement. The visa processing time varies—apply well in advance. For up-to-date information, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
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IELTS Preparation is a CRICOS-registered programme at Imagine Education Australia Pty Ltd as trustee for The Imagine Education Australia Unit Trust. Use this register extract [CRICOS register, Apr 2026] to cross-check codes, duration and indicative fees before you apply.
This page is general information only and not migration advice. Confirm Student visa (Subclass 500) requirements with the Department of Home Affairs.