Overview

Are you a migrant or refugee who has just arrived in Australia? The Certificate I in EAL (Access) is designed to help you develop English language, literacy and numeracy skills that are helpful for everyday use. 

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.

Get more for your ATAR

Looking for a uni with state-of-the-art facilities, guaranteed industry experience and a supportive community? Find your dream course and make Swinburne your #1 VTAC preference.

Skills you’ll learn

  • English language education
  • Literacy
  • Numeracy

Your career opportunities

  • Factory hand
  • Food process worker

Admissions

Applicants are required to attend an interview where their learning goals and current language, literacy and numeracy skills will be assessed to ensure that the program best meets their needs.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Credit transfer

Credit transfer is the recognition of academic credits gained through formal study (i.e. units of competency) completed either at another institute or in another qualification. The total amount of credit will vary from individual to individual, based on the unit/s that have been successfully completed. 

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process of transferring the skills and knowledge that you have acquired over your lifetime (irrespective of how they were obtained) against the requirements of the unit.  

RPL is an assessment process that requires you to provide evidence that demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the unit/s. The amount and types of evidence you will need to provide will depend on the unit requirements.

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

Course structure

Successful completion of 22638VIC Certificate I in EAL (Access) requires the successful completion of eight units made up of one core and seven elective units from the following:

  • one core unit
  • one Speaking and Listening unit elective
  • one Reading and Writing unit elective
  • two language skill electives
  • three general electives
1
Core units
+
7
Elective units
=
Certificate I

Indicative nominal course hours: 500

Your units

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Plan language learning with support
Core unit
VU23500
Elective units
Use limited digital technology language and skills
Elective unit
VU23556
Read and write short, simple descriptive texts
Elective unit
VU23505
Work with simple numbers and money in familiar situations
Elective unit, Croydon and Wantirna only
VU22369
Identify settlement services and support
Elective unit
VU23558
Locate health and medical information
Elective unit
VU23568

2025 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$5,520

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$1,920

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$0.00

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$0.00

Fees are estimates only

Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

Skills first government-subsidised place

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. To qualify for a government-subsidised place, you must meet various eligibility criteria. The course you’ve applied for must also be offering government-subsidised places. Swinburne will determine your eligibility by conducting a full assessment of your eligibility during the course application process.

How do I pay my fees?

You can pay your Swinburne fees in person, via credit card, BPAY, or at Australia Post. Check to see if loans and employer sponsored training are also available.

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Financials
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Concessions rates for vocational students

If you’re enrolling in a Certificate IV-level program or below, are eligible for a government-subsidised training place and hold a valid concession card, you may be eligible for a concession of 80 per cent off the published fee of your unit(s) tuition – which means you’ll only be charged 20 per cent of the published fee.

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
22638VIC
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.

Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
February intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
29-January-2025
Start dates
03-February-2025
February intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
29-January-2025
Start dates
03-February-2025
February intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
29-January-2025
Start dates
03-February-2025
March intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
March intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
March intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
April intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
02-April-2025
Start dates
07-April-2025
April intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
02-April-2025
Start dates
07-April-2025
April intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
02-April-2025
Start dates
07-April-2025
May intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
30-April-2025
Start dates
05-May-2025
May intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
30-April-2025
Start dates
05-May-2025
May intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
30-April-2025
Start dates
05-May-2025
June intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
28-May-2025
Start dates
02-June-2025
June intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
28-May-2025
Start dates
02-June-2025
June intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
28-May-2025
Start dates
02-June-2025
July intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
02-July-2025
Start dates
07-July-2025
July intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
02-July-2025
Start dates
07-July-2025
July intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
02-July-2025
Start dates
07-July-2025
August intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
30-July-2025
Start dates
04-August-2025
August intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
30-July-2025
Start dates
04-August-2025
August intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
30-July-2025
Start dates
04-August-2025
September intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
03-September-2025
Start dates
08-September-2025
September intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
03-September-2025
Start dates
08-September-2025
September intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
03-September-2025
Start dates
08-September-2025
October intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
01-October-2025
Start dates
06-October-2025
October intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
01-October-2025
Start dates
06-October-2025
October intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
01-October-2025
Start dates
06-October-2025
November intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
29-October-2025
Start dates
03-November-2025
November intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
29-October-2025
Start dates
03-November-2025
November intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
29-October-2025
Start dates
03-November-2025
December intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
26-November-2025
Start dates
01-December-2025
December intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-November-2025
Start dates
01-December-2025
December intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
26-November-2025
Start dates
01-December-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
February intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
03-February-2025
February intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-February-2025
February intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
03-February-2025
March intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
03-March-2025
March intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
March intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
03-March-2025
April intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
07-April-2025
April intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
07-April-2025
April intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
07-April-2025
May intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
05-May-2025
May intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
05-May-2025
May intake
Location
Wantirna
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05-May-2025
June intake
Location
Croydon
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02-June-2025
June intake
Location
Hawthorn
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02-June-2025
June intake
Location
Wantirna
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02-June-2025
July intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
07-July-2025
July intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
07-July-2025
July intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
07-July-2025
August intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
04-August-2025
August intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
04-August-2025
August intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
04-August-2025
September intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
08-September-2025
September intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
08-September-2025
September intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
08-September-2025
October intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
06-October-2025
October intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
06-October-2025
October intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
06-October-2025
November intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
03-November-2025
November intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-November-2025
November intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
03-November-2025
December intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
01-December-2025
December intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
01-December-2025
December intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
01-December-2025
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