School English support (EAL/D) for children from non-English backgrounds
In-school English support for families new to Australia — a guide to intensive English centres, new-arrivals English programs, and in-class EAL/D support
In-school English support for families new to Australia — a guide to intensive English centres, new-arrivals English programs, and in-class EAL/D support
EAL/D stands for English as an Additional Language or Dialect (students learning English as an additional language or dialect), and it refers to in-school English support for K-12 students (kindergarten through high school) who attend Australian schools while speaking a language other than English at home or without being confident in English. ACARA, which oversees the Australian Curriculum, uses an EAL/D learning progression framework to diagnose students' English levels in stages, and each state education department uses this as a basis to provide newly arrived students with intensive English lessons and support for their subject learning. The goal is to help your child learn both everyday English and academic English so they can keep up with mainstream class lessons.
EAL/D is distinct from other schemes in that it is in-school support for school-age children (K-12). Free English classes for adults aged 18 and over, such as parents, are provided through the AMEP (Adult Migrant English Program) — see the separate adult English (AMEP) guide. In addition, because EAL/D is support to help newly arrived students who are still developing their English catch up, its purpose is the opposite of selective schools, OC placement, and NAPLAN preparation, which select high-achieving students. Do not confuse them. General school enrolment and catchment selection procedures are covered in the school enrolment guide.
Newly arrived families usually first contact their local public school or the intensive English centre/language school designated by the state education department to arrange enrolment and an English proficiency assessment. Procedures and names vary by state, so be sure to check the latest guidance on the official website of the education department in the state where you live (NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, ACT, NT). The school or centre will review your child's English level, previous school history, and year level, and then place them in the most suitable form of support.
The English proficiency assessment is not a test but a diagnostic for placement. The teacher reviews your child's listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills together with the learning experience they have built up in their first language, to decide whether an intensive English program is needed or whether it is more appropriate for them to receive EAL/D teacher support within a mainstream class. If English feels daunting for parents during assessments and meetings, you can request the free interpreting service (TIS National); for details, see the interpreting services guide.
School fees may apply depending on your visa status. Permanent residents and families on humanitarian visas can generally attend public schools for free, but families holding temporary visas (certain subclasses) may be charged public school fees (a temporary visa holder fee) depending on each state's policy. This is education information only, not immigration or legal advice, so confirm the exact eligibility and costs for your situation through your state education department's official guidance and, where needed, a registered migration agent (MARA) or the visa guide.
EAL/D support is for students who have a background of speaking a language other than English at home or not being confident in English. It is unrelated to any particular country of origin or ethnicity — any family from any language background, whether Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Spanish, French, Japanese, or others, qualifies if their child needs English learning support. Intensive English programs for newly arrived students are usually available for a set period after arrival, but the duration, eligibility, and completion criteria vary by state, so check the official website.
Don't delay enrolment just because your documents aren't complete. Schools and state education departments often take the circumstances of newly arrived families into account and allow you to provide documents in stages. The safest approach is to confirm the exact list of required documents directly with your assigned school or centre.
EAL/D support broadly falls into separate intensive courses and in-class support within mainstream classes, and the names differ by state. Below are the most common forms, which may be combined depending on your child's English level and year level.
Separate courses where newly arrived students learn English intensively for a set period, such as NSW's Intensive English Centre/High School or VIC's English Language School/Centre. Names, durations, and eligibility vary by state.
The New Arrivals Program, run in several states, provides initial intensive English support to students who have just arrived. For younger primary students, support is commonly provided within their own school.
For students who have completed an intensive course or attend a mainstream class straight away, a dedicated EAL/D teacher supports academic English and learning both inside and outside the classroom.
Progress is tracked through ACARA's EAL/D learning progression stages, and once the student is ready, they transition gradually into mainstream lessons while continuing to receive support.
School English support works best when the school and family work together. Following the steps below can help your child settle in.
The following mistakes are common, so check for them in advance.
The NSW Department of Education's guidance on EAL/D and English support for newly arrived students
Information on the EAL curriculum from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA)
The Queensland Department of Education's guidance on EAL/D programs
EAL/D learning progression resources from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA)
Book a free interpreter (TIS National) for parent-teacher meetings
EAL/D stands for English as an Additional Language or Dialect. It is in-school English support for K-12 students who speak a language other than English at home or are not yet confident in English. The goal is to help students learn both everyday English and academic English so they can keep up with mainstream classes. It is run by each state's education department.
AMEP is a free English program for adult migrants aged 18 and over, while EAL/D is in-school English support for school-age children (K-12). For your own English as a parent, see the adult English (AMEP) guide; for your child, use this guide. The target age group and the organisation that runs each program are different.
Permanent residents and families on humanitarian visas can generally attend public schools for free, but families holding temporary visas may be charged a temporary visa holder fee depending on state policy. Eligibility and costs vary by state and change often, so confirm on the official website of your state education department. This is education information, not immigration advice.
No. Many states provide initial intensive support for newly arrived students through intensive English centres, language schools, or programs like the New Arrivals Program. Based on an English proficiency assessment, students are placed in an intensive course or given in-class EAL/D support, and once ready, they transition gradually into mainstream classes.
Through the school, you can book a free interpreting service (TIS National) so you can communicate in your own language during parent-teacher meetings and events. For how to book and make the most of it, see the interpreting services guide.
No. Selective schools, Opportunity Class (OC) placement, and NAPLAN preparation are about selecting high-achieving students, which is the opposite purpose of English support (EAL/D) for newly arrived students. Don't confuse the two; for selection-test preparation, see the selective school and NAPLAN guide.
Names and structures differ by state — for example, NSW has the Intensive English Centre/High School, while VIC has the English Language School/Centre. Some states run a New Arrivals Program. For the exact program, eligibility, and how to apply, the most accurate source is the official website of your state education department.