TAFE NSW English Language Centres offer intensive English language courses to prepare you for business, travel or study at school, TAFE or university. Our centres are owned and operated by the New South Wales state government and guarantee high-quality tuition and expert teachers. Learn in small classes with access to self-study areas, library and language laboratories.

Six locations

Centres in Sydney

• Northern Sydney Institute (Crows Nest)

• South Western Sydney Institute (Liverpool)

• Sydney Institute (Ultimo)

Centres outside Sydney

• Hunter Institute (Newcastle)

• Illawarra Institute (Wollongong)

• North Coast Institute (Port Macquarie and Kingscliff)

English language courses

General English

• Five to 25 weeks, beginner to intermediate — This program is for students who want to travel or work in Australia.

Advanced English

• Five to 10 weeks, upper intermediate to advanced, entry level is approximately IELTS 5.5 — This program is for students who want competent English skills to become interpreters or to prepare for IELTS.

Certificate 3 in English for Further Studies

• Five to 20 weeks, intermediate to upper intermediate, entry level is IELTS 4.5 — Students who complete this program are eligible for direct entry into TAFE NSW programs with relevant academic requirements.

Certificate 4 in English for Academic Purposes

• 10 weeks, upper intermediate to advanced, entry level is IELTS 5.5 — This course prepares students for the demands of further study at Australian tertiary institutions, especially where an IELTS score of 6.0 or above is required.

IELTS Preparation

• This course prepares students for IELTS testing for TAFE and university studies.

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency, Certificate of Advanced English, First Certificate, Business English Certificate, Preliminary and Vantage courses are offered. The Test of English for International Communications Preparation is offered as part of the Business English Certificate courses. These 10 week courses are available at Hunter Institute only.

Short Courses

Special short courses for professionals, study groups, working holiday makers and students on visitor visas – for example English for Aircraft Maintenance, English Language Skills for the Health Care Profession, Occupational English Test Preparation, English for Business, Media Studies and Australian life.
English for High School Preparation

• Minimum age 15 years old — This course prepares students to study successfully in an Australian high school from Year 10 or Year 11. You will do regular homework, research tasks and assignments and participate in excursions and visits to high schools.

Marcelo Alvarado Cortes – Chile

“When I came to Australia, I couldn’t speak much English. Then I started studying English at the TAFE International Education Centre (TIEC) in Liverpool and everything changed in my life. My English started to get better because they have fantastic teachers and facilities to help me feel confident speaking English. The environment at TAFE was awesome. I made lots of friends from different countries. I am very happy I studied at TIEC. After TIEC I studied Commercial Cookery for two years and worked part-time in two restaurants in Parramatta. Both courses were very practical.”