English Language School

What English Language School does

ELSIS (English Language Schools) is a private, for-profit Australian English language education provider founded in 1991, operating campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide. The company serves international students from over 130 countries—primarily sourced from South America, Asia, and Europe—through a portfolio that includes General Intensive English (20 hours/week, $400/week), English for Academic Purposes (5-week intensive blocks), Study Pathways with 18+ partner universities and colleges, short-term Study Tours, and free supplementary workshops. Wraparound services span accommodation referral (CozzyStay, 2stay), job placement ($200 admin fee), mental health counselling (Converge International), and monthly social activities, positioning ELSIS as a one-stop international student support platform rather than a pure tuition provider.

The underlying technology stack is non-proprietary: ELSIS uses standard learning management systems and an online placement test for prospective-student assessment, with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, mobile app, API, or platform differentiation. Distribution is dual-channel: direct online enrollment via the website is supplemented by a global network of in-country recruitment managers (Brazil, Colombia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Japan, Chile) and a B2B articulation network of pathway partners (Victoria University, University of Tasmania, TAFE NSW, TAFE QLD, UniSC, APIC, and others) that convert EAP graduates into vocational and higher education enrolments under packaged visa arrangements.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring weekly tuition, supplemented by one-off enrollment ($250) and material ($15/week) fees, ancillary job-placement and accommodation-referral fees, and pathway-driven downstream tuition at partner institutions. CRICOS-registered (02644C) and ESOS-compliant, ELSIS was integrated into parent company ECA College in 2025 as part of a consolidation strategy that aligns English language instruction with vocational and higher education pathways under a single institutional brand.

Name

English Language School

Legal name

ENGLISH LANGUAGE SCHOOLS (ELSIS) ABN 14 111 918 775

Website

https://elsis.edu.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

ELSIS is a private Australian English language school founded in 1991, operating four campuses (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide) and serving international students from 130+ countries with English tuition, EAP, and pathway programs to 18+ partner universities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

English Language Education Services

NAICS

Language Schools (611630)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

English Language Schools (ESL/EFL) (EDAIAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

General ESL Programs (Multi-level Adult ESL) (EDAAACAA), Integrated Language + Academic Skills (EAP) Bridging Programs (EDAIAJAF)

Keywords

• English language training
• Elicos programs
• Academic english preparation
• International student pathways
• English language school

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. English Language Tuition: ELSIS generates primary revenue from tuition fees charged for General Intensive English, EAP, and other English language courses. Students pay weekly fees for course enrollment with additional charges for materials and enrollment administration.
2. Job Placement Services: ELSIS offers job placement services to students for a one-time $200 placement fee, helping connect ELSIS and ECAC students with housekeeping positions in Sydney and Melbourne.
3. Accommodation Services: Through accommodation partners CozzyStay and 2stay, ELSIS facilitates student accommodation arrangements including homestay, private studios, and hostels with airport pick-up services, generating referral/service revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ELSIS delivers English language education to international students across four Australian campuses (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide), offering General Intensive English courses at $400 per week, English for Academic Purposes (EAP), and Study Tour programs. The school supports students from over 130 countries with direct and packaged pathways into 18+ partner universities and colleges, complemented by free workshops, accommodation support, job placement assistance, and counselling services. ELSIS operates as part of ECA College and is a registered CRICOS provider (code 02644C).

Product overview

ELSIS is an English language education provider operating as part of ECA College, offering a comprehensive portfolio of language learning products across four Australian campuses (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide). The core offering consists of General Intensive English (20 hours/week, Elementary to Advanced), English for Academic Purposes (EAP) for university preparation, and Study Pathways with direct entry to 15+ partner universities and colleges. Supplementary offerings include free English Workshops, Study Tours (2-4 weeks cultural immersion), and Study Tours with Universities (earning degree credits). The company provides wraparound support services including accommodation booking through partners, job placement assistance, mental health counselling, and monthly social activities. Founded in 1991, ELSIS serves international students from South America, Asia, and Europe.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Intensive English (GIE) A comprehensive English language course for international students at Elementary to Advanced levels, running 20 hours per week with morning and evening timetables. Develops all English skills including listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary through interactive activities and real-life scenarios. Priced at $400 per week with a minimum 2-week enrollment.
• English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Victoria University Brisbane and SydneycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerELSIS provides EAP pathways to Victoria University's diploma, bachelor's, and master's courses. Students achieving Grade B in EAP 1 can enter courses requiring IELTS 5.5, with higher grades enabling entry to courses requiring IELTS 6.0-7.5.
• University of TasmaniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerELSIS pathway students can progress to UTAS courses in Melbourne, Hobart, and Launceston, focusing on hands-on learning experiences with flexible study options.
• University of Sunshine Coast (UniSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPathway partnership enabling ELSIS graduates to pursue future-focused degrees at UniSC campuses in Adelaide, Caboolture, Fraser Coast, Gympie, Moreton Bay, and Sunshine Coast.
• Asia Pacific International College (APIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerELSIS students can pathway into APIC's practical learning programs that focus on real-world projects with no traditional exams.
• College of Health Sciences (CHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPathway to CHS courses designed for management and leadership in healthcare, delivered at Sydney Parramatta campus.
• Higher Education Leadership Institute (HELI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerELSIS pathways to HELI's advanced and specialized knowledge programs in eLearning.
• ECA CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerECA College is the parent organization of ELSIS, offering vocational and postgraduate courses. ELSIS is now part of ECA College, with all services consolidated at ecacollege.edu.au.
• TAFE NSWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerELSIS pathways to TAFE NSW's industry-qualified programs across all NSW campuses, with teachers bringing up-to-date real-world skills.
• TAFE QLDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPathway to TAFE QLD's 400+ courses from entry-level certificates to degree-level programs across all QLD campuses.
• Australian Institute of Higher Education (AIH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerELSIS pathway to AIH courses featuring practical industry projects working with real companies on real business projects.
• Alphacrucis University CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPathway to Alphacrucis's tertiary Christian liberal arts college programs in Perth.
• JMC AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPathway to JMC Academy's creative courses in Music and Sound, Stage and Screen, Animation and Design, and Entertainment Management.
• Australian Learning Group (ALG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerELSIS pathway to ALG's career-focused programs in Health, Community Services, and Early Childhood Education.
• KCA EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPathway to KCA Education's quality-first courses delivered through passionate educators with industry partnerships.
• Alma Mater College Australia (AMCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerELSIS pathway to AMCA's qualifications in commercial cookery, hospitality management, early childhood education, and individual and community support.
• ABM Further EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerELSIS pathway to ABM's courses offering exceptional individual care and high-quality education.
• Quality College of AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerELSIS pathway to QCA's hospitality industry leadership programs with state-of-the-art facilities.
• King's School of Culinary ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerELSIS pathway to King's School's culinary arts programs with high-end equipment kitchens.
• CozzyStaycoreOthersTrusted accommodation partner providing student residence, homestay accommodation, private studios, and hostels. Also provides airport pick-up service from Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane airports with transport to accommodation.
• 2staycoreOthersAccommodation partner offering range of housing options including student residence, homestay, private studios, and hostels with airport transfer services.
• Converge InternationalcoreOthersELSIS provides free counselling services through Converge International for students experiencing personal difficulties. Services include face-to-face meetings, telephone calls, video calls, and access to mindfulness activities via EAP Connect App.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ILSC Education Group: Global English language school operator with campuses in Australia (including Sydney and Melbourne) offering General English and EAP pathways. Directly comparable as a multi-city ESL provider with international student recruitment and pathway partnership models.
• Navitas English: One of Australia's largest ELICOS providers, operating multi-campus General English, EAP, and pathway programs across major Australian cities. Directly comparable to ELSIS in product mix, CRICOS-registered delivery, and partnership-model pathway agreements with Australian universities.
• Kaplan International English: Major international ESL operator running CRICOS-registered English programs in Australia with direct paths into Kaplan pathway and partner universities. Closely comparable in target market (international students), product mix, and pathway-delivery model.
• Discover English: Melbourne-based CRICOS-registered ELICOS school offering General English, EAP, and direct pathway arrangements with Australian universities. Comparable in product, target market, and university-pathway business model.
• English Unlimited: Sydney-based CRICOS-registered ELICOS provider offering General English and EAP across multiple campuses. Directly comparable in product offering, student-recruitment approach, and pathway model.
• Global Village Sydney: Sydney-based ESL and EAP school with pathway partnerships to Australian universities and vocational colleges. Direct peer in size, geographic market, and pathway-driven student recruitment.
• ELC English Language Centres: Australian-operated ELICOS provider with campuses in Sydney and Melbourne offering General English, EAP, and Cambridge test preparation. Direct competitor in Australia's international ESL market with comparable CRICOS delivery and university pathway articulation.

Broad incumbents

• Embassy English: Large global ESL chain (now part of EC English) with Australian campuses delivering General English and EAP to international students. Comparable as a broader-incumbent ELICOS operator with wider geographic reach than ELSIS.
• IDP Education: Publicly listed international education services group that places students into English language, vocational, and university programs globally. Comparable in facilitating international student flow into Australian ESL and higher-education pathways, though operating at a much broader scale.

Regional players

• Canterbury English Language Centre: Smaller Australian ELICOS provider offering General English and EAP programs in Melbourne with pathway partnerships. Comparable as a regional ESL operator targeting international students in Australia.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmgJkEhcCCDbCJ_HUZEcpjw/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/EnglishForLifeSydney
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/elsis-english-language-schools
• Instagraminstagram.com/elsisaustralia_/?igsh=a2czaThwM2o4Y2ts
• Xx.com/elsis_australia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about English Language School