English language requirements and programs

The success of your child's study depends on having strong English skills. 

On application to study, TAFE International Western Australia (TIWA) will consider your child's English testing results and academic reports to determine their English needs. AEAS, STEP Eiken, IELTS and TOEFL iBT test scores will form only part of the overall assessment. 

On arrival, the school will further test your child's English skills, and this may alter the assessment made at application. 

Students that require additional English language programs on arrival at a Western Australian (WA) Government school can participate in:  

  • an Intensive English Centre (IEC) program; or   
  • an English as an Additional Language or Dialect (ESL) program.

Intensive English Centres (IEC)

Intensive English Centres provide an integrated 12-month English language program to eligible Stage 1 students who are in the early stages of English language acquisition – primarily those newly arrived in WA.

IECs have continuous enrolments and exit students into mainstream schooling at the end of each term (primary school) or the end of each semester (secondary school). 

Additional tuition fees apply. View our school fees page for more information.

English as a second language (ESL)

ESL specialist support is provided at selected schools for students who have either moved from Intensive English Centres to mainstream schooling or students who require English language support to access the curriculum. 

Additional tuition fees apply. View our school fees page for more information.

Last updated on November 29, 2022