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.

How is this different from free adult English classes (AMEP)?

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.

Are there costs, or is it free?

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.

My child speaks almost no English — do they have to go straight into a mainstream class?

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.

English feels daunting at parent-teacher meetings. Is there any help?

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.

Is this the same as preparing for selective schools or gifted-and-talented tests?

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.

What program is available in my state?

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.

School English support for children from non-English backgrounds (EAL/D) — intensive English centres and new-arrivals programs - Western Australia

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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

What is EAL/D?

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.

This is different from adult AMEP and gifted-and-talented tests

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.

How does application and placement work?

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.

English proficiency assessment and program placement

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.

Contact your local public school or assigned intensive English centre to arrange enrolment and schedule an assessment

Who is it for, and what do you need to prepare?

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.

Identity documents such as passport and visa, and proof of residence in Australia
Learning history such as reports and proof of enrolment from previous schools (bring translations if available)

Main forms of school English support

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.

Intensive English centres and language schools

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.

New Arrivals Program

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.

In-class EAL/D support in mainstream classes

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 assessment and transition to mainstream classes

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.

Step-by-step tips to help your child settle in

School English support works best when the school and family work together. Following the steps below can help your child settle in.

First and foremost, check the program name, eligibility, and how to apply on your state education department's official website. The scheme differs from state to state.
Continuing to use and develop your first language also helps with learning English. Schools regard bilingual ability as an asset.
If English is difficult at parent-teacher meetings and events, book a free interpreter (TIS National) through the school and see the interpreting services guide.

Common mistakes and cautions

The following mistakes are common, so check for them in advance.

Applying information from another state as-is — program names, eligibility, durations, and costs differ by state, so you must check your own state's official guidance.
Confusing adult AMEP with children's EAL/D — your own English as a parent is AMEP (see the adult English guide), while your child's is school EAL/D.
Confusing it with selective school, OC placement, and NAPLAN preparation — those are for selecting high achievers, the opposite purpose of English support for newly arrived students.

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