Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)

Be taught English for free.

Reform of the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)

The Australian Government is undertaking major reforms to the AMEP as part of a broader plan to ensure migrants are best positioned to reach their full potential in Australia, and to further strengthen our social cohesion.

Following the legislative changes that came into effect on 19 April 2021, the Department sought feedback from interested stakeholders on proposed reforms to the AMEP business model.

The Australian Government has committed to deliver a new AMEP business model from 1 January 2025.

Further details on this consultation process and the new AMEP business model can be found at Reform of the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).

Legislative changes to the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)

On Friday 28 August 2020, the Australian Government, announced major reforms to the AMEP.

These reforms are supported by the Immigration (Education) Act 1971, which has been updated to include the recent legislative changes. The Act:

removes the current 510 hour limit on free English tuition
extends eligibility from functional English to vocational English and
removes the time limits for enrolling, commencing and completing English tuition for eligible visa holders who were in Australia on or before 1 October 2020.

This is the most significant reform to the program in many years. These changes mean that more migrants can now access free English tuition for longer and until they reach a higher level of proficiency.

For further information on the reforms, read the Minister's media release.

The reforms to the AMEP are being led by the Commonwealth Coordinator-General for Migrant Services, as part of her work to drive better settlement outcomes for refugees and migrants with a focus on employment, English language acquisition and community integration.

Recent reviews

Evaluation of the Adult Migrant English Program 2017 Business Model

In late 2018 the Department of Education and Training (which was responsible for AMEP at the time) contracted Wunan Foundation Incorporated, trading as Social Compass, to conduct an external evaluation of the AMEP business model that was introduced in July 2017. Social Compass was contracted to provide research and evaluation expertise to determine the appropriateness, effectiveness and practicality of the business model.

See the Evaluation of the Adult Migrant English Program new business model.

Investing in Refugees, Investing in Australia: the findings of a Review into Integration, Employment and Settlement Outcomes for Refugees and Humanitarian Entrants in Australia

On 14 December 2018, the Government commissioned an independent Review into Integration, Employment and Settlement Outcomes for Refugees and Humanitarian Entrants to provide advice on how to better support refugees and humanitarian entrants to make a valuable contribution to our social fabric and economy.

See the Investing in Refugees, Investing in Australia: the findings of a Review into Integration, Employment and Settlement Outcomes for Refugees and Humanitarian Entrants in Australia