Reform of the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)
The Australian Government is undertaking 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.
Details on the key aspects of the new AMEP business model, and the components of the extensive consultation process undertaken over 2019 to 2024, 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.
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 (2MB PDF).
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
Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) 2015 Evaluation
In 2014 the Department of Education and Training (which was responsible for AMEP at the time) engaged ACIL Allen Consulting to conduct an independent evaluation of the program and potential synergies and the strategic alignment with the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program.
See the AMEP Evaluation report (2MB PDF) and the SEE-AMEP Alignment report
