General English (Elementary to Upper-Intermediate; up to 52 weeks) (CRICOS course code 098301K) is a Non AQF Award delivered by Victorian Institute of Technology Pty Ltd over 1 year. This course is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), ensuring it meets Australian standards for international education. As an ELICOS program, it helps students build foundational English skills for everyday communication, further study, or work. The provider, Victorian Institute of Technology (CRICOS 02044E), is a private institution with campuses in Sydney and Melbourne. With over 1,500 CRICOS-registered providers offering more than 26,000 courses across Australia, finding the right English program is key to your academic journey. HeadStart Academy sources all data directly from the CRICOS register (April 2026) to give you accurate, up-to-date information—free of charge and without referral fees.
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This General English program is designed for international students at elementary to upper-intermediate levels, with a maximum duration of 52 weeks. It falls under the field of Education 091501 - ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students), which focuses on developing English proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. As a Non AQF Award, it does not lead to a formal Australian qualification but prepares students for further study or employment. The course is delivered by Victorian Institute of Technology Pty Ltd, a private provider that has been CRICOS-registered since 2002. All international students benefit from ESOS Act protections, ensuring tuition fee safeguards and quality standards.
ELICOS courses at this level cover general English skills for everyday situations. Students typically learn grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversation strategies. While specific syllabi vary by provider, common topics include social interactions, travel, work scenarios, and introduction to academic English. Graduates often progress to vocational or higher education courses. The field of Language and Literature (0915) encompasses these language acquisition programs, which are essential for non-native speakers aiming to study or work in Australia.
According to the CRICOS register, this course runs for 1 year (52 weeks). Instruction is in English, and it is a single qualification (no dual or combined program). Students attend classes on a full-time basis, typically 20 hours per week. Mode of delivery is face-to-face at the provider's campuses. There is no online or distance component. This structure allows students to immerse themselves in an English-speaking environment while meeting student visa requirements.
The indicative tuition fee for this course is A$11,200, with non-tuition fees of A$1,100, giving an estimated total of A$12,300. These figures are sourced from the CRICOS register as at April 2026 and are set by the provider. Please note that Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), living costs, and the visa application charge are not included. For current fees, always confirm directly with Victorian Institute of Technology at www.vit.edu.au. HeadStart Academy updates data regularly but cannot guarantee fee stability—institutions may adjust charges without notice.
Since this is an ELICOS course, English language requirements vary by provider. Typically for General English, no minimum IELTS score is required—students are placed based on a pre-test. For higher levels, an IELTS score of 5.5 to 7.0 may be expected. Prior academic qualifications are not mandatory for entry. However, students must meet the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement for the student visa. Foundation or pathway options are not available for this course; contact Victorian Institute of Technology for specific entry assessments.
This course has no mandatory work component. However, student visa holders (Subclass 500) are generally allowed to work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. Always check visa conditions on your visa grant letter.
Victorian Institute of Technology delivers this course at multiple campuses in New South Wales and Victoria: in Sydney at 157-161 Gloucester Street, The Rocks, NSW; and in Melbourne at Levels 3, 10, 11, 14, 123 Queen Street, and Levels 6,7,8,9 & 10/235 Queen St, Melbourne, VIC. Both cities have large international student populations—Sydney hosts over 150,000 international students, Melbourne around 170,000. Living costs in Sydney average A$1,900–2,500 per month, while Melbourne is slightly lower at A$1,700–2,300. Public transport access is excellent: the Sydney campus is near Circular Quay station, and Melbourne campuses are in the CBD. These locations offer a vibrant study environment with access to libraries, cafes, and student services.
International students must hold a Student visa (Subclass 500) to study this course full-time. The visa requires evidence of OSHC, sufficient funds for tuition and living costs, and a genuine temporary entrant (GTE) statement. With this visa, you can work 48 hours per fortnight during term and unlimited during scheduled breaks. Ensure you meet all Department of Home Affairs requirements before applying. HeadStart Academy recommends consulting a registered MARA agent for personalized advice—we are not migration agents.
Follow these three steps to enrol in General English (Elementary to Upper-Intermediate) at Victorian Institute of Technology: 1. Research CRICOS-registered providers: Use HeadStart Academy's course search to filter by ELICOS, location, and provider. 2. Apply directly to Victorian Institute of Technology: Submit an application, provide English proficiency evidence (if required), and meet any entry conditions. Deadlines vary—contact the admissions team. 3. Receive your CoE and apply for your Student visa: Once accepted, you'll get a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). Use it to lodge a Subclass 500 visa application with the Department of Home Affairs. Remember to arrange OSHC and show financial capacity.
Ready to enrol? Follow our 3-step guide above to apply for General English at Victorian Institute of Technology.
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General English (Elementary to Upper-Intermediate; up to 52 weeks) is a CRICOS-registered programme at Victorian Institute of Technology Pty Ltd. 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.