English for High School Preparation (EHSP) is a specialised English language course designed to equip international students with the language skills, academic knowledge, and cultural understanding needed to transition successfully into the Australian secondary school system. The course operates under the ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) framework and is accredited or quality-endorsed by bodies such as NEAS Australia (the National ELT Accreditation Scheme). Programs typically run from as little as 1 week up to 60 weeks, depending on a student's starting English level, the destination school's entry requirements, and their visa type. Delivered across language colleges, private schools, and government-approved ELICOS providers in major Australian cities, these programs cater primarily to young people aged 12–17 who come from non-English-speaking backgrounds and wish to enter Australian mainstream high schools — both government and independent.

The curriculum covers the four macro language skills — reading, writing, speaking, and listening — alongside subject-specific English for Mathematics, Science, Humanities, and Information Technology. Students learn academic study skills such as note-taking, essay writing, and research methods, as well as the social language and cultural norms they will encounter in an Australian classroom and community. Programs frequently use Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) and project-based learning (PBL) approaches to contextualise language learning within real secondary school subject areas. Students are typically grouped by English proficiency level, assessed regularly through placement and progress tests, and provided with comprehensive reports shared with parents and destination schools.

Employers and organisations that engage with graduates of English for High School Preparation courses and related ESL/EAL pathways include private and government secondary schools, ELICOS language colleges, international education agencies, multicultural community organisations, TAFE institutes, and university English language centres. Teachers and coordinators in this field work across Australia's large and growing international education sector, which remains one of the country's most significant service export industries. The sector provides sustained employment for ESL/EAL teachers, international student coordinators, welfare officers, and education consultants across all major Australian cities.

English for High School Preparation courses in Australia are designed to be accessible to a wide range of English ability levels. Most providers require students to sit a placement test upon enrolment to determine their appropriate proficiency level — typically aligned with CEFR levels from A1 (Elementary) through to B2 (Upper-Intermediate). There is generally no minimum IELTS or other standardised English test score required for entry into preparatory levels of the program, making it accessible to students with limited prior English exposure. Students are typically aged between 12 and 17 years. Providers generally require evidence that the student has passed all core subjects in their previous two years of schooling, demonstrating academic capability even if English proficiency is not yet at high school entry level.

For visa purposes, international students under 18 must meet the Australian Government's student visa (Subclass 500) requirements. This includes obtaining a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a registered ELICOS provider, holding Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and demonstrating sufficient financial means to cover tuition, accommodation, and living expenses while in Australia. Students who do not have a parent or approved guardian residing in Australia must have an approved welfare arrangement in place with their school or provider. Some providers offer in-house guardianship or welfare coordination services, which may involve an additional fee.

Upon completing the EHSP course, students are typically assessed against defined language proficiency benchmarks to determine readiness for mainstream high school entry. Progression into Year 10, 11, or 12 — particularly for VCE, HSC, or other senior secondary pathways — may require achieving a minimum proficiency level (often CEFR B1–B2 or an IELTS equivalent of 5.0–6.0). Some destination schools have their own English entry requirements and will review a student's EHSP progress report before confirming enrolment. Students aiming to enter senior secondary study (Year 11 or 12) typically need to demonstrate the highest proficiency levels within the EHSP framework.