Unless you are a native English speaker, everyone who wants to come and study in Australia is required to present formal evidence that they have achieved a certain level of English by showing that they have gained at least a certain minimum score in an English Language Test. Most Australian institutions accept the Test of English is a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as well as the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or the First Certificate in English (FCE). All Australian Institutions accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

What scores do you have to get?

The table below shows what scores are usually required in the various tests:

Because the IELTS is the preferred English test for Australia, is available in most countries, can be taken at least once and in many places twice a month, and because an IELTS score is a requirement for anyone considering settling in Australia after they have completed their studies (no other evidence of your English language proficiency is accepted by the Australian Department of Immigration as part of your Application for a Skilled Onshore Visa), we have added this IELTS section to our web site, which gives you detailed and comprehensive information about the IELTS. If you want to find out about the TOEFL go to www.ets.org; if you want to find out about the Cambridge exams, go to www.cambridgeesol.org.

What is the IELTS Test?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) was originally designed to assess the English Language ability of people wanting to undertake higher education studies in countries where English was the language of communication and instruction (similar to the American TOEFL Test which most people are familiar with). In a relatively short time it became widely accepted by universities in many countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA, as an excellent indicator of people's readiness for university studies in English and soon it was accepted also by immigration authorities, government agencies and professional bodies as a good indicator of people's ability to cope with work and employment in an English speaking environment.

What does the IELTS Test test?

What's special about the IELTS is that it determines how well you are able to actually USE English - how well you can understand spoken English, how well you can comprehend written English and how well you can express yourself in written and spoken English. In other words, it does not test how much you know about English grammar.

Do you have to sit for the IELTS Test?

If your previous education was not conducted in English, you have to sit for an English test. It does not have to be the IELTS, but if you have not done an English test recently, we recommend that you choose to do the IELTS, for the reasons already stated:

• the IELTS is the preferred English test for Australian education institutions,
• the IELTS is available in most countries,
• the IELTS can be taken at least once and in many places twice every month, and
• an IELTS score is required for anyone considering settling in Australia after they have completed their studies (by submitting an application for a Skilled Onshore Visa)

Find out what the IELTS Test is like...