Quick answer: In Melbourne, the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is free for eligible migrants, delivered by providers such as Kangan Institute. For other languages, CAE charges $499 for an eight-week Italian course ($474 concession), the Istituto Italiano di Cultura $525–$550 for 20 hours, and the Goethe-Institut runs 30-hour German courses. City of Melbourne Libraries members get Mango Languages free.
Free English through the AMEP
The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), funded by the Department of Home Affairs, teaches English free to eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants, and free childcare is available for children under school age while you attend face-to-face classes. Since the 510-hour limit was removed, eligible students can keep studying until they reach vocational English. For the eligibility rules, see who can join the Adult Migrant English Program.
Several providers deliver the AMEP in Melbourne. Kangan Institute, for example, says eligible students can now access unlimited hours of English classes until they reach vocational English, and can keep studying even after the previous 510-hour limit.
CAE: Melbourne’s adult education centre
The Centre for Adult Education (CAE) on Flinders Lane runs language short courses in French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish, alongside English as an Additional Language. As an example of its fees, Italian: Elementary 1 runs for eight weekly two-hour classes, 6–8pm on Wednesdays from 7 October 2026, and costs $499, or $474 at the concession rate. CAE offers a free language skills assessment if you already know some of the language.
Cultural institutes
| Provider | Course | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Istituto Italiano di Cultura | Standard Italian courses, 20 hours over 10 weeks, 2 hours a lesson | $525–$550 full fee ($500–$525 early bird); members $475–$500 |
| Alliance Française de Melbourne | French for adults, five sessions a year of nine weeks each | Fees shown at booking; $50 off before 4 October with its early bird offer |
| Goethe-Institut Melbourne | German, 10-week course of 30 hours or five-week fast track, materials included | Fees shown at booking |
The Istituto Italiano di Cultura runs classes of six to nine students; if only four or five enrol, the course is shortened to 16 or 18 hours. It charges $80 for a one-hour level evaluation with a teacher. Alliance Française de Melbourne teaches from its French Hub in the CBD, other venues and online, and offers a free level assessment. The Goethe-Institut is in Fitzroy. For certificates, see DELF, DELE and the Goethe-Zertifikat.
Free language help at the library
City of Melbourne Libraries lists Mango Languages and LinkedIn Learning among its free eLibrary resources for members. Other council library services around Melbourne offer Mango too, so check your own council’s library if you live outside the City of Melbourne.
Private lessons and schools: typical prices
We did not find a published source for typical private tutor rates in Melbourne. For national ranges, see our Australia language course costs guide.
Find a language course
Free and no obligation. Tell us what you want to learn and how, and we will look for a course provider that suits you.
How to choose a language course in Melbourne
Leisure language classes are not licensed like a trade, so compare providers on what they publish and what they will put in writing:
- Level and hours. Ask which level the course starts and finishes at and how many teaching hours it includes. Most providers use the CEFR scale in our guide to CEFR levels A1 to C2.
- Price per hour, not per course. Divide the fee by the teaching hours: the courses on this page run from 10 to 30 hours a term.
- What is extra. Membership, textbooks, placement tests and exam entry are often charged on top of tuition.
- Refunds and minimum numbers. Many classes only run if enough people enrol. Ask for the cancellation and refund policy in writing.
- Student visas. If you are coming from overseas to study English full-time, check that the school is registered on CRICOS, the government register of providers allowed to teach overseas students, before you pay.
- Class size. Ask for the minimum and maximum group size, and what happens to your hours if fewer people enrol, as the Istituto Italiano di Cultura sets out.
Language course providers in Melbourne
These providers appear in public business and education listings for Melbourne. We have not checked their teaching, prices or accreditation, and they have not paid to appear.
Centre for Adult Education (CAE)
Area: Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD
Offers: French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish; EAL
Website: cae.edu.au
Listed from public information · not a partnerIstituto Italiano di Cultura di Melbourne
Area: Melbourne
Offers: Italian standard, conversation and special courses
Website: iicmelbourne.esteri.it
Listed from public information · not a partnerAlliance Française de Melbourne
Area: Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
Offers: French courses for adults, teens and children
Website: afmelbourne.com.au
Listed from public information · not a partnerGoethe-Institut Melbourne
Area: George Street, Fitzroy
Offers: German courses and exams
Website: goethe.de
Listed from public information · not a partnerKangan Institute (AMEP)
Area: Melbourne campuses
Offers: Free English for eligible migrants
Website: kangan.edu.au
Listed from public information · not a partnerGerman Language Centre and East Melbourne Language Centre
Area: Parliament Place, East Melbourne
Offers: German and other language courses
Website: languagecentre.net.au
Listed from public information · not a partnerJAPANEASY Japanese Language & Culture Learning Centre
Area: Exhibition Street, Melbourne CBD
Offers: Japanese courses
Website: japaneasy.com.au
Listed from public information · not a partnerEl Patio Spanish
Area: Swanston Street, Melbourne CBD
Offers: Spanish courses
Website: elpatiospanish.com.au
Listed from public information · not a partnerYou can also read our Australia language course costs guide, compare course types, read how to choose a language course or tell us what you need.
Are English classes free in Melbourne?
For eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants, yes, through the AMEP. There is no longer a 510-hour cap; you can study until you reach vocational English.
How much are CAE language courses?
As an example, CAE’s Italian: Elementary 1 costs $499, or $474 concession, for eight two-hour classes.
How much does Italian at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura cost?
$525–$550 for a 20-hour standard course, with $25 off for early enrolment and lower rates for members.
Is there a free way to learn a language in Melbourne?
Yes. City of Melbourne Libraries members can use Mango Languages free.
What if too few people enrol in my Italian course?
At the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, a course with five students runs for 18 hours over nine weeks and one with four students for 16 hours over eight weeks, instead of the standard 20 hours.
Sources
- About the program (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
- Adult Migrant English Program (kangan.edu.au)
- Language Short Courses; Italian: Elementary 1 (cae.edu.au)
- Course Fees (iicmelbourne.esteri.it)
- Adults (afmelbourne.com.au)
- Face-to-Face German Courses in Melbourne and Sydney (goethe.de)
- eLibrary and digital resources (melbourne.vic.gov.au)
Last checked: September 2026. Course fees change each term, so confirm the price when you enrol. All prices are in Australian dollars.
Compare Language Courses is a comparison and referral service, not a language school. We do not teach courses, and a listing here is not a recommendation.