Free English Classes AMEP Guide | Australian Government Free English Education

Free English Classes — AMEP (Adult Migrant English Program)

AMEP is free English tuition the Australian Government provides to eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants. Unlike paid recognised tests such as IELTS or PTE, it costs nothing, and anyone aged 18 or over who holds a permanent or eligible temporary visa can apply. Here are the eligibility requirements and how to enrol.

This document is general guidance only and is not legal or migration advice. Eligibility requirements, enrolment deadlines, phone numbers and providers can change at any time, so before applying always re-check against your own visa on the official site below (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/settling-in-australia/amep).

AMEP is for migrants from every country of origin who live in Australia. Anyone whose first language is not English can apply on the same basis.

What is AMEP?

AMEP (Adult Migrant English Program) is an English education program the Australian Government provides free of charge to eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants. It helps you settle in Australia and build the English skills you need for daily life and work.

No cost — it is funded by the Australian Government budget, with no charge to students.
Hour cap removed — there used to be a 510-hour cap, but it was abolished in 2021, so you can now learn free of charge until you reach a vocational English level.
Around 300 locations nationwide — there are providers across the country, in regional areas as well as major cities.

Note that paid recognised English tests (IELTS, PTE, etc.) needed for migration or employment are a separate scheme from AMEP.

Who can receive it? (Eligibility)

It is for migrants and humanitarian entrants who meet the conditions below. Eligibility is assessed for anyone whose first language is not English, regardless of nationality.

Aged 18 or over (some young migrants aged 15–17 may also be eligible)
Holders of any permanent visa
Holders of certain temporary visas — e.g. Partner (Provisional/Temporary), Safe Haven Enterprise, some Skilled and Business Skills (Provisional), Bridging F, etc. Eligible temporary visa types are set out in legislation, so check on the official site whether your visa qualifies.
Australian citizens who previously held an eligible visa

If you are unsure about your eligibility, you can ask your nearest AMEP provider or the Department of Home Affairs (131 881) and be advised based on your own visa.

By when must you enrol? (Enrolment deadline)

★ Enrolment deadline — within 6 months of your visa start or arrival date

You must register with an AMEP provider within 6 months of receiving an eligible visa or arriving in Australia (within 12 months if you are under 18 at the time of registration). If you miss the deadline you may lose your eligibility, so register as soon as you can.

Here, 'register' means putting your name on a provider's list to secure your eligibility. Once registered, you can keep learning up to a vocational English level with no hour cap.
Eligible visa holders who were in Australia before 1 October 2020 have no time limit on registering, starting or completing.
Date rules and how they apply to you vary by visa, so re-check the exact deadline on the official site or with a provider.

How do you enrol?

Check your eligibility — confirm whether your visa is eligible on the official site (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/settling-in-australia/amep).
Find your nearest provider — on the 'Find a class' page of the Department of Home Affairs site, search by your residential postcode for a nearby AMEP provider (TAFE, local education institutions, etc. — around 300 locations nationwide).
Apply to enrol — phone or visit the provider to register. You will usually need proof of your visa and identity documents, and after an initial English assessment you will be placed in a class.
Start classes — choose the format that suits you from in-person, online or distance, and if you have pre-school children, apply for child care at the same time.

Provider staff will help you through the enrolment process, so there is no need to worry even if your English is limited.

Class formats — choose what suits you

Face-to-face classes

You learn directly with a teacher in a provider's classroom. Families attending face-to-face classes can use free child care for pre-school children.

Online classes

If it is hard to attend a classroom, you can take online classes, learning with a teacher over the internet.

Distance learning

If you live 50 km or more from an AMEP site, or find it hard to attend a classroom for physical, cultural, religious or caring reasons, you can apply for distance learning. Distance learning is provided by TAFE NSW.

Volunteer tutor scheme

You can practise one-on-one or in small groups with a volunteer tutor to complement your classroom lessons.

Having children is no obstacle — free child care

While you attend face-to-face classes, your pre-school (pre-school-age) children are cared for free of charge. This is a great help for anyone who has put off studying English because of child care responsibilities.

Child care is provided to participants in face-to-face classes, for children below school age.
Availability and places can vary by provider and area, so apply for child care when you enrol and ask in advance.

Ask in your own language even if English is hard

If English feels difficult during enrolment or enquiries, you can use a free interpreting service. There is no cost.

Free interpreting — TIS National (131 450)

When you enquire by phone, you can use free interpreting from TIS National (Translating and Interpreting Service). Call 131 450, connect to an interpreter, and then ask to be connected to a provider or the Department of Home Affairs.

From anywhere in the country, you can enquire with the Department of Home Affairs on 131 881 at the cost of a local call.
Many AMEP providers have multilingual staff, so guidance in your own language is often available too.

Official sources

The above information is current as at the time of writing, and the scheme, amounts and deadlines may change. Before applying, always confirm the latest details against your own visa on the official site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AMEP tuition really free?▾

Yes. AMEP is funded by the Australian Government budget, so there is no tuition charge for eligible students. However, you must meet the eligibility requirements, and the paid recognised English tests (IELTS, PTE, etc.) needed for visa or migration applications are a separate scheme.

Is there a limit on how many hours you can learn?▾

There used to be a 510-hour cap, but it was abolished in 2021. You can now keep learning free of charge until you reach a vocational English level.

Can I apply even though I am on a temporary visa?▾

Besides all permanent visa holders, some temporary visa holders are also eligible (e.g. Partner Provisional/Temporary, Safe Haven Enterprise, some Skilled and Business Skills, etc.). Eligible temporary visa types are set out in legislation, so check on the official site or with a provider whether your visa qualifies.

I have young children — can I still attend classes?▾

Yes. While you attend face-to-face classes, you can use free child care that looks after pre-school (pre-school-age) children. Places and conditions can vary by provider, so apply for it when you enrol and ask in advance.

Can I enrol even if I speak almost no English?▾

Yes. AMEP is also for people learning English for the first time, and when you enrol your initial English level is assessed so you are placed in a suitable class. If English feels difficult during enquiries or enrolment, you can use free interpreting from TIS National (131 450).