Browns, English courses for adults in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Melbourne
Browns is an Australian English school with three campuses. Here is who it is, how it teaches, what sets it apart, its programmes, and the three campuses we offer with their prices.
Who is Browns?
BROWNS English Language School was founded in 2003 by Richard and Niesha Brown, brother and sister, then aged 23 and 25. The first students arrived on the Gold Coast in August 2004; the Brisbane campus opened in 2009 and the Melbourne one in 2024. The school states that it has welcomed more than 35,000 students from more than 100 countries.
It is an institution registered with the Australian government (CRICOS number 02663M), which also offers vocational training under the BROWNS Professional brand.
How they teach
The intensive General English course rests on three elements. The “Core” lessons work on grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, speaking and listening. The “Active8” lessons place the student in a different class for each of the eight skills and systems of English (four skills, four systems), according to their real level in each. Finally, “Accelerate” is targeted personal work: on arrival the student receives a “BROWNS passport” in which their teachers regularly record their strengths and the points to improve.
The starting level is suggested from a free online placement test. In our catalogue, the intensive course has 25 lessons of 60 minutes per week; the part-time course, 12.
What sets Browns apart
- A method of the school’s own. The Active8 programme, which places the student by skill rather than in a single class, has been developed by the school since 2008.
- An IELTS guarantee. If the student does not reach the target score, Browns offers an IELTS preparation course of the same length, on conditions: at least 10 weeks of classes, target validated by the academic management, full attendance and mock exams taken, offer to be used within the month following the end of the course.
- Courses with an extra skill. The Barista@BROWNS course prepares, in addition to English, three recognised Australian units of competency (food safety, espresso coffee preparation, responsible service of alcohol); on the Gold Coast, English is combined with surfing, yoga, golf, tennis or diving.
- Study pathways. The school highlights more than 140 pathways to universities, colleges and schools in Australia.
Its programmes, and who they are for
In our catalogue, all courses are for adults from age 18 (minimum age read in Synergee for each of them): intensive General English (from 1 to 52 weeks), part-time General English, IELTS exam preparation (from 1 to 20 weeks), Advanced English Academic Practice to prepare for higher education (from 5 weeks, up to 36), and Barista@BROWNS in fixed 5-week sessions.
The official website also presents programmes for young people (primary or secondary school preparation, holiday stays), private lessons, study tours and “English + work” formats (hotel internship, volunteering, au pair): they are not in our adult catalogue and are not detailed here.
Prices, campus by campus
2027 rates from the Synergee price engine, in Australian dollars, for the intensive General English course, starting on January 4, 2027. For each campus, the “from” price is the lowest per week among the durations priced by the engine; the detail for all durations is in the expandable table below. The exact quote depends on your dates, your duration and your accommodation.
- Brisbane, Australia : from 535 AUD per week (8-week course, excluding fees and accommodation)
- Gold Coast, Australia : from 535 AUD per week (8-week course, excluding fees and accommodation)
- Melbourne, Australia : from 510 AUD per week (8-week course, excluding fees and accommodation)
See all 2027 prices
| Centre | Reference course | Lessons / wk | 2 weeks | 4 weeks | 12 weeks | Registration fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane, Australia | Intensive General English - Brisbane | 25 | 1,120 AUD | 2,240 AUD | 6,420 AUD | 270 AUD |
| Gold Coast, Australia | Intensive General English - Gold Coast | 25 | 1,120 AUD | 2,240 AUD | 6,420 AUD | 270 AUD |
| Melbourne, Australia | Intensive General English - Melbourne | 25 | 1,040 AUD | 2,080 AUD | 6,120 AUD | 270 AUD |
Course price only, excluding accommodation. Registration fee is added. Each country uses its own currency.
Accommodation
Two families of options on all three campuses: the homestay (with two or three meals a day depending on the option) and student apartments, without meals. The official website also mentions other options (au pair, others), which are not in the catalogue. Price of the engine’s reference homestay, per week; the apartments and their rates appear in the quote for each campus.
See accommodation prices
| Centre | Homestay, per week (4 weeks) | Residences in the catalogue |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane | 405 AUD | 6 |
| Gold Coast | 410 AUD | 6 |
| Melbourne | 450 AUD | 7 |
The three campuses in detail
Browns — Brisbane
Australia · 5 courses in the catalogue
In the heart of the city centre, on the 8th floor of 102 Adelaide Street; the common room overlooks King George Square. Campus opened in 2009 (new premises in 2022), classrooms equipped with a 65-inch interactive touch screen or a wall-mounted screen, 19 computers with free access, a kitchen and an activities coordinator.
Browns — Gold Coast
Australia · 10 courses in the catalogue
In Southport, at 5 Hicks Street, on the ground floor of a sandstone building: 10 classrooms around a sunny courtyard, a garden with tables for lunch, 22 computers. First students in August 2004, new premises in 2022. It is the only campus in the catalogue that prices combined courses: English + surfing, yoga, golf, tennis, or diving (PADI).
Browns — Melbourne
Australia · 5 courses in the catalogue
On the 3rd floor of 30 Church Lane, in the centre of Melbourne, well served by public transport. Campus opened in 2024: 16 equipped classrooms, quiet study areas, a computer area and a student lounge.
Sources: Browns’ official website (brownsenglish.edu.au: history, courses, teaching programme, campuses), consulted on 7 November 2026; prices and ages: Synergee engine.