Yes, on most visas, but the limits differ. Student visa holders can study full-time in a CRICOS-registered course. Working holiday visa holders can study for up to 4 months. Visitor visa holders can study for up to 3 months. Graduate, partner and permanent visa holders can usually study without a set time limit. Always check your own visa conditions first.
This is the question we answer most often at reception, usually from someone who’s already in Sydney and has just realised their English is holding them back at work. The good news is that nearly everyone can study something. The detail is in how long and what kind of course.
Quick reference: English study by visa type
| Visa | Can you study English? | Key limits |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa (subclass 500) | Yes, full-time | Must be enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course; work limited to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods |
| Working Holiday (417) / Work and Holiday (462) | Yes | Up to 4 months of study or training |
| Visitor visa (600) or ETA | Yes, short courses only | Up to 3 months of study; no work allowed |
| Temporary Graduate (485) | Yes | Check your visa conditions |
| Partner visas | Yes | Check your visa conditions |
| Permanent residents and citizens | Yes | No visa limit on study |
Sources: Study Australia, Student visa (subclass 500) and the Home Affairs Working Holiday Maker program. You can check the exact conditions on your own visa using VEVO.
Student visa (subclass 500): full-time English study
If English study is your main reason for being in Australia, the student visa is designed for it.
What you need to know:
- You must enrol in a CRICOS-registered course. English courses for overseas students are called ELICOS courses. Boston Institute is CRICOS-registered (provider code 04068C).
- You need a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your school to apply for the visa.
- You must keep Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your whole stay.
- You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks.
- You must meet the Genuine Student requirement. Home Affairs wants to see that you really intend to study.
The student visa is also the only option here that lets you study English for a long period: months, or even a year or more if you combine courses (for example General English followed by IELTS preparation or EAP).
Can I switch to a student visa while I’m in Australia?
It depends on your current visa. Working holiday visa holders can apply for a student visa onshore. Holders of certain visas, including visitor visas and temporary graduate visas, can’t apply for a student visa while in Australia, according to Study Australia. If that’s you, you’d need to apply from outside Australia.
Working holiday visa (417 and 462): up to 4 months
This is the visa most of our Korean, Japanese and European students hold.
You can study or train for up to 4 months on a working holiday visa. For most people that’s enough for a solid block of General English, or a focused IELTS or PTE course before a job application or a visa change.
A few practical points:
- No CoE is needed. You enrol directly, as a non-student-visa student.
- The 4 months is a limit on study, not a limit on how long you stay. You can study for 4 months and then spend the rest of your working holiday working and travelling.
- Plan the timing. Many students study for the first 8–12 weeks. Better English makes the job hunt easier, especially for hospitality and customer-facing roles.
- The 6-month employer limit still applies to your work, separately from your study.
From 1 July 2026, the age limit for the Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) rose from 30 to 35 for passport holders from Cyprus, Finland, Germany and the Republic of Korea (more on the change). If you’re Korean, see our guide for Korean students studying English in Sydney.
Visitor visa (600) or ETA: up to 3 months
Visitors can study for up to 3 months. It’s the right choice for a short, intensive block: a four-week General English course during a holiday, for instance.
The limits are strict:
- You can’t work on a visitor visa.
- You can’t study for longer than 3 months.
- You can’t apply for a student visa from inside Australia on a visitor visa.
That last point surprises people. If there’s any chance you’ll want to study longer, it’s usually better to plan for a student visa from the start rather than arriving as a visitor.
Temporary Graduate visa (485)
If you’ve just finished a degree in Australia and hold a 485, you can generally keep studying. Check the conditions on your own visa.
Graduates tend to study English for two reasons. The first is to lift an IELTS or PTE score for the next visa: a points-tested visa, or an employer-sponsored one like the 482. The second is to sound more polished in interviews and client-facing work. Our PTE and Business English courses are the usual choices. For score requirements, see our guide to 485 visa English requirements.
Note that 485 holders can’t apply for a student visa from inside Australia.
Partner visas, permanent residents and citizens
On a partner visa or with permanent residency, you can usually study as much as you like. Two things are worth knowing.
You may be eligible for free English classes. The government’s Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) offers free English tuition to eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants. Check whether you qualify before paying for a course.
A private course suits different goals. People choose a private school when they want exam preparation (IELTS or PTE for a visa or professional registration), faster intensive study, a Sydney CBD location, or a particular timetable. Many of our PR-track students are working on the English points for skilled migration. Our guide to English points for the 189, 190 and 491 visas explains the scores.
Which course fits your visa?
| Your visa and goal | Suggested course |
|---|---|
| Student visa, first time in Australia | General English, then IELTS/PTE or EAP |
| Working holiday, want better jobs | General English (up to 4 months) |
| Visitor, short holiday study | A short General English block (under 3 months) |
| 485 graduate, need a visa score | PTE or IELTS |
| Heading to university | EAP |
| Skilled migrant, workplace English | Business English |
Not sure where your level sits? Try our free English level test.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study English on a working holiday visa in Australia?
Yes. Working holiday (417) and work and holiday (462) visa holders can study or train for up to 4 months. You don’t need a Confirmation of Enrolment.
Can I study English on a tourist visa in Australia?
Yes, for up to 3 months. You can’t work on a visitor visa, and you can’t apply for a student visa while you’re in Australia on one.
How many hours can I work on a student visa?
Up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks.
Do I need a student visa to study English in Sydney?
Only if you want to study for longer than your current visa allows, or you don’t already have a visa that permits study. Working holiday, visitor, graduate, partner and permanent visa holders can study within their own visa conditions.
Can I change from a working holiday visa to a student visa in Australia?
Working holiday visa holders can apply for a student visa from inside Australia. You’ll need a Confirmation of Enrolment from a CRICOS-registered school.
Are there free English classes for migrants in Australia?
Yes. The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) offers free English tuition to eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants. Check eligibility on the Home Affairs website.
Study English on your visa, in Sydney CBD
Boston Institute, a CRICOS-registered school (provider code 04068C) in Sydney CBD, teaches students on student, working holiday, visitor, graduate, partner and permanent visas. Classes run from Level 1 & 2, 208 Clarence Street, and new students start every Monday.
Apply now. It’s free, and we’ll confirm whether you need a CoE. You can also read our step-by-step guide on how to enrol in an English course in Sydney.
Reviewed by
Rupinder (Robby) Saini
Founder & CEO
