Overview

Lay the foundation for English proficiency with the Course in Initial EAL (English as an Additional Language). Embark on a journey to develop essential English language, literacy, and numeracy skills, opening doors to further education, training, and community engagement. Master basic handwriting, including the alphabet and numbers, and engage in familiar spoken exchanges. This course will help you advance your English language skills.

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

  • Nationally recognised training
    Nationally recognised training
  • TAFE Victoria
    TAFE Victoria
Looking to start in Semester 1, 2025?

Whatever stage you're at – from browsing courses to starting an application – our Study Expo is your one-stop-shop for info and advice.

Skills you’ll learn

  • Recognise the letters of the alphabet.
  • Basic numeracy skills.
  • Engage in informal spoken interactions.

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

To be eligible for the course in Initial EAL, learners must successfully complete a total of 6 units.

6
Core units
=
Course in Initial EAL

Indicative nominal course hours: 445

Your units

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Recognise letters of the alphabet and their sounds in extremely familiar words
Core unit
VU23489
Use extremely familiar strategies to participate in learning
Core unit
VU23490
Recognise and copy extremely familiar words
Core unit
VU23491
Participate in extremely familiar spoken exchanges
Core unit
VU23492
Recognise, copy and use numbers and money from 1 to 50
Core unit
VU23493
Recognise and use extremely familiar digital devices
Core unit
VU23575

2024 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$4,630

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$1,590

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$0.00

2024 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 2024 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 only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. International tuition fees are generally inclusive of Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

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.

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2024 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
22636VIC
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.

Apply through VTAC

International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria. 

VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
November intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
23-October-2024
Start dates
28-October-2024
November intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
23-October-2024
Start dates
28-October-2024
November intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
23-October-2024
Start dates
28-October-2024
December intake
Location
Croydon
Last date to apply
27-November-2024
Start dates
02-December-2024
December intake
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
27-November-2024
Start dates
02-December-2024
December intake
Location
Wantirna
Last date to apply
27-November-2024
Start dates
02-December-2024
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
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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
Start dates
Location
Start dates
November intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
28-October-2024
November intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
28-October-2024
November intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
28-October-2024
December intake
Location
Croydon
Start dates
02-December-2024
December intake
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
02-December-2024
December intake
Location
Wantirna
Start dates
02-December-2024
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
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03-March-2025
April intake
Location
Croydon
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07-April-2025
April intake
Location
Hawthorn
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07-April-2025
April intake
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Wantirna
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07-April-2025
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Location
Croydon
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05-May-2025
May intake
Location
Hawthorn
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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
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Hawthorn
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02-June-2025
June intake
Location
Wantirna
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02-June-2025
July intake
Location
Croydon
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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
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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
Upcoming events
2025 Study Expo
12-November-2024