Enhancing Learning Outcomes for ESL Students in Australian Higher Education Via an Analysis of Instructional Strategies and Support Services

International students for whom English is a second language (ESL) constitute a substantial segment of Australia’s undergraduate population, particularly in the social sciences. However, many of these students face linguistic and cultural hurdles that can impede their academic success. This paper analyses instructional strategies and support services designed to improve ESL student learning outcomes via a literature-based approach, reviewing peer‐reviewed studies on undergraduate ESL learners in Australian higher education with an emphasis on social science disciplines. Key findings indicate that integrating academic literacy instruction into content courses, employing culturally responsive and active learning pedagogies and facilitating peer-support mechanisms such as mentoring and study groups are effective in enhancing ESL students’ academic performance. University support services including writing centers, language workshops and counselling play an influential role in mitigating language difficulties and socio-academic adjustment challenges. ESL students who actively utilize these support services and engage in tailored instructional programs show improved course completion rates, higher grades and greater confidence in academic communication. This paper discusses how these strategies address identified gaps, the implications for curriculum design and faculty development and the need for sustained institutional support, proposing that a combination of embedded instructional interventions and support services can substantially enhance learning outcomes for ESL undergraduates in Australian higher education.