About the program
The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is a free service to help eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants improve their English language skills and settle into Australia.
Learning English will help you to take part more fully in life in Australia. You will learn new skills to help you work and make friends.
Read
a fact sheet in your language.
When you are in an AMEP class, free childcare is available for your children under school age.
Your service provider will help you find out about free child care. Read more about
childcare in your language.
If you receive Centrelink payments, learning English with the AMEP gives you points that count for your mutual obligation requirements. There is more information below for job seekers.
What learners say about the AMEP
What AMEP learners said in student surveys:
The AMEP has helped many students achieve their goals. Meet Vicky, an AMEP teacher, and see how the AMEP helped Totoya and Roya change their lives at
Our people, their stories.
Joining the AMEP
If you are aged 18 or over, you can join the AMEP if you speak little or no English and
- you are a permanent resident, or
- you hold an
eligible temporary visa, or
- you are a citizen who held an eligible visa in the past.
If you are aged 15 to 17, you may be able to join the AMEP. Talk to
a provider.
Your eligible visa start date decides the time you have to join and learn English with the AMEP.
If your AMEP eligible visa started on or before 1 October 2020
You can stay in the AMEP until you reach a vocational level of English. You have no time limits for starting and finishing the program.
If your AMEP eligible visa started after 1 October 2020
You have time limits for registering, starting and finishing the program from your eligible visa start date.
You must:
- register with an AMEP provider within 6 months
- start your course within 12 months
- complete your course within 5 years.
In some cases, you may be allowed to register later or stay in the program longer. Talk to your AMEP provider to find out.
Learning options
- Face-to-face AMEP classes – options may include full time, part-time, evening and weekend classes. Classes are available at around 300 locations across Australia, in major cities and regional areas. Find your nearest class at
AMEP locations. You may also get help from a volunteer tutor.
- Learn remotely with a teacher’s support through
distance learning.
- Learn English at your level for free at
AMEPOnline, or on the new app available on the
App Store or
Google Play.
AMEP for job seekers
Learning with the AMEP gives job seekers points that count for your mutual obligation requirements.
Visit the
Workforce Australia AMEP page.
You can be referred to the AMEP by your provider if you are in
Workforce Australia.
If you want to earn points for this activity and are self-managing in Workforce Australia Online
contact Workforce Australia.
If you are already learning with the AMEP, talk to your provider about earning points for participating.
Volunteer with the AMEP Volunteer Tutor Scheme
The AMEP needs volunteers to help our students learn English. Helping someone improve their English can be a positive life changing experience. If you would like to support a migrant or humanitarian entrant for 1 to 2 hours per week, contact your
nearest AMEP provider. Training is free, and you will be matched with a student to meet at a place you choose together.
Read AMEP volunteers' stories at
Our people, their stories.
Employers
Find out how you can get involved. You could offer work placements or host English classes for your staff.
Read our factsheet:
A pathway to employment: information for employers.
Find out more
You can read the AMEP Fact Sheets in
53 languages.
You can also:
Help promote the AMEP
Have a look at the
AMEP Promotional Flyer and share it with family and friends who may be eligible. The Flyer is available in many languages.
Other government services
If you are settling permanently in Australia, the Australian Government provides free document translation. This is to support participation in employment, education and community engagement. You can find more information about this service on the
Free Translating Service website.
The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) provides interpreting services for people who do not speak English.
For more information visit
TIS National.
