AMEP at Chisholm
Chisholm delivers the AMEP as part of Melbourne AMEP, a coalition of TAFE and Learn Local organisations which deliver the AMEP across regions in Victoria.
Referrals
Referrals can be made by caseworkers, support workers, Workforce Australia providers, refugee and asylum organisations or students directly.
Referrals can be sent:
Via email to amep@chisholm.edu.au
Email should include student name, D.O.B, contact phone number, address, and ID document either Immi card, passport, or Visa grant letter.
In person: Mon-Fri Dandenong Building G, Berwick & Cranbourne Building A, Frankston Building C (not staffed daily), or Springvale location.
Current Locations Chisholm AMEP is available at:
Dandenong, 121 Stud Road, Dandenong 3175
Berwick, 25 Kangan Drive, Berwick 3086
Hampton Park, Hampton Park Community House, 16-20 Stuart Avenue, Hampton Park 3976
Cranbourne, New Holland Drive, Cranbourne 3977
Frankston, Fletcher Road, Frankston 3199
Springvale, Corner Boulton Street and Springvale Road, Springvale 3171
Lynbrook, Lynbrook Community Centre, 2 Harris Street, Lynbrook 3975
Clyde, Eliston Family & Community Centre, 20 Eliston Avenue Clyde 3978
Doveton College, 62 Tristania Street, Doveton 3177
The Chisholm Admin team will confirm eligibility via the Department of Home Affairs client Portal, add new student details to assessment spreadsheet, create USI registration, note childcare if required for classes, and contact the student for assessment.
Assessments
Will take approximately 1.5 hours depending on persons current level of English.
Students assessed on:
Speaking skills
Listening skills
Reading and writing skills
Pathway conversation with teacher/assessor or pathway advisor.
EAL class is then recommended based on assessment & conversation.
Admin team completes Chisholm and AMEP enrolment processes, childcare arrangements (if required), class allocation offered or waiting list (depending on availability).
Classes
Classes are scheduled in line with Victorian School terms (four terms) and consist of:
Rolling enrolments - start any time depending on class capacity/childcare arrangements.
Full time 20 hours per week (4 days) OR
Part time between 9, 10 or 15 hours per week.
Evening classes are typically 6-9 hours per week.
Weekends on Saturdays for 6 hours per week.
Course duration – varies according to hours of attendance and student’s personal circumstances and level of education prior to commencement – teachers support individual progress and ensure students receiving extra support if needed (note: weeks indicated on website refer to Skills First funded students not AMEP)
Location schedules:
Dandenong - weekday, evening & weekend classes available
Berwick & Cranbourne, Frankston, Hampton Park, Lynbrook, Doveton - weekday classes only
Springvale - day & evening classes available
Pathway Support
Pathway support advice sessions are conducted once per term by either a teacher, pathway advisor or career counsellor.
Pathway advice provided is recorded as part of AMEP student records and can include advice such as:
further study fees & visa eligibility
referrals to study and employment opportunities
overseas qualifications
support regarding mutual obligation, compliance and study.
English as an Additional Language (EAL) Courses and Structure
Chisholm delivers AMEP using the EAL Framework which is a settlement English suite of certificates. The curriculum has been updated for 2025, and in 2026 all of Australia’s states and territories will be moving towards using the EAL Framework as a national curriculum of the AMEP. This has many advantages including making it easier for students to continue studies if they move interstate.
EAL certificates are Nationally Accredited courses and, as they are at the Foundation level, do not impact fees or eligibility for any of the Skills First funded courses. Skills First is a Victorian Government program that provides access to government-subsidised training for courses in growth industries.
Courses available at Chisholm in EAL include:
Students can also enrol in the Settlement Language Pathways to Employment and Training (SLPET). This is a 10-week program focusing on employment preparation and includes 2 weeks of work placement. This course is available at the Dandenong campus only.
To be eligible for SLPET clients must already be enrolled in and attending AMEP classes and have sufficient communication skills to participate in the workplace.
EAL courses up to and including Certificate III level are of no cost to migrant students.
Other AMEP options
Volunteer Tutor Scheme (VTS) = 1 hour per week, one to one with a volunteer e.g. at home or a library. This can be in addition to attending classes, but no certificate awarded (via VTS only)
Distance Learning = offered by TAFE NSW, one to one, online or self-paced Certificate awarded
Chisholm can make referrals to VTS and Distance Learning.
Distance Learning is managed by TAFE NSW for all of Australia. More information about Distance Learning, including referral processes can be found here:
AMEP Distance Learning - TAFE NSW
Volunteer Tutor Scheme (VTS): is managed by Melbourne AMEP. More information about VTS and referrals can be found here:
Volunteer Tutor Scheme - Student Referral (melbourneamep.com.au)
Referrals can also be made by other networks/institutions following the processes in the above links.