Language courses in Perth: free AMEP English at North Metropolitan TAFE, conversation groups and school fees

Quick answer: In Perth, North Metropolitan TAFE delivers the free Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), and you must register within six months of your visa start or arrival. The State Library of Western Australia runs free English conversation groups. Full-time English at ILSC Perth costs $380–$460 a week, and Alliance Française de Perth membership is $30. We found few published prices for part-time language classes in Perth.

Free English through North Metropolitan TAFE

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.

North Metropolitan TAFE delivers the AMEP in Perth, including from its Aberdeen Street campus. It says the program provides free English lessons and childcare to eligible migrants and refugees, and it spells out the recent changes: the removal of the 510-hour limit and the raising of the exit point from functional to vocational English. You register your interest online and are then interviewed so staff can assess your English. One rule to note: you must register for the AMEP within six months of your visa commencement date or arrival in Australia. The TAFE also runs an AMEP volunteer tutor scheme.

Free English conversation at the State Library

The State Library of Western Australia runs free English conversation groups as a friendly place to practise your language skills and make new friends. They are practice sessions, not formal classes.

Language classes and schools

Provider	Course	Fee
ILSC Perth	Full-time English, 20 hours a week	$380–$460 a week, plus $250 registration and $15 a week materials (capped at $450)
Alliance Française de Perth	French: 10-week term courses of 2.5-hour sessions; 4-week intensive formats of 2 x 3 hours a week	Membership $30; course fees shown at booking
Multicultural Language Centre	French, Italian and Spanish group courses, conversation and workshops in Subiaco, Mt Lawley and Karawara	Class materials included; fees shown at booking

Alliance Française de Perth restructured its adult courses for 2026 around the Mon Alter Ego method. It says reaching an independent B1 level usually takes around 200–250 hours of tuition for someone with some French, and at least 400 hours from scratch, a useful yardstick when you compare course lengths. For French and other certificates, see DELF, DELE and the Goethe-Zertifikat.

Community and university options

Perth also has community learning centres, such as the South Perth Learning Centre, that run language classes each term, and UWA Extension runs short courses for the public that include languages. We could not find current fees for these online, so ask when you enrol.

Private lessons and schools: typical prices

We did not find a published source for typical part-time class or private tutor prices in Perth, which is why this page is lighter on local prices than our other city guides. For national ranges, see our Australia language course costs guide.

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How to choose a language course in Perth

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.
AMEP deadline. If you are a new arrival, register for the AMEP within six months: a paid course is not a substitute you need if you qualify for free classes.

Language course providers in Perth

These providers appear in public business and education listings for Perth. We have not checked their teaching, prices or accreditation, and they have not paid to appear.