Reforms to the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)
The Australian Government has made reforms to the AMEP in a broad plan to ensure migrants can best reach their full potential in Australia. These reforms also help to further strengthen our social cohesion.
For details on the main aspects of the new AMEP business model and the extensive 2019 to 2024 consultation process, see Reform of the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).
Legislative changes to the AMEP
Legislative reforms to the AMEP took effect in April 2021.
The Immigration (Education) Act 1971 was updated to:
- remove the old, 510 hour limit on free English tuition
- extend eligibility from functional English to vocational English and
- remove 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 means more migrants can 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
