The de facto national language in Australia, like many other nations such as USA, the UK or New Zealand, is English. Hence, proficiency in English becomes mandatory for the students because it is the medium of communication in classrooms, tutorials, assignments, books, examinations and lectures.
International students from English-speaking nations such as those listed above do not need to prove their proficiency in English to study in Australia. However, as an Indian or Asian student, you will be required to prove English proficiency. For this purpose, there are various standardised tests, one of the most popular among them being IELTS. There are various tests though which you can take.
Which English tests are recognized by Australia?
The Australia Department of Home Affairs recognizes the following English tests –
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Occupational English Test (OET)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
Which Australian universities recognize the above English tests?
Nearly every Australian university recognizes one or more of the above tests depending upon the stream and type of course you choose to study.
What is the validity period of scores in the English tests for education in Australia?
Most of the test scores are valid for two to three years from the date of score results. IELTS and TOEFL are the two tests which are taken most commonly; both of these can be taken at your convenience and from anywhere in the world through online platforms. In fact, Computer-delivered IELTS is available 3 times a day, 7 days a week; and TOEFL can now be taken even from the comfort of your home (in view of the COVID-19 scenario).
IELTS – Valid for two years
TOEFL – Valid for two years
OET – Valid for two years
CAE – Permanently valid, except for some specific universities that accept CAE scores not older than two years
PTE – Valid for two years
These tests require several proficiency levels that you need to achieve, depending on the course requirements. While applying for a specific course in a university, you will find the exact score needed in the eligibility section. The following table lists several proficiency levels that may be needed.
| English Level | Scores to Achieve Level |
| Functional English | IELTS: 4.5 for each test component ; TOEFL iBT: A band score of at least: 32 ; CAE: An overall band score of at least 147 ; Pearson (PTE) Academic: At least 30 for each test component |
| Vocational English | IELTS: 5 for each test component ; TOEFL iBT: At least 4 for listening, 4 for reading, 14 for writing, and 14 for speaking ; OET: Pass B in each test component ; CAE: 154 for each test component ; Pearson (PTE) Academic: 36 in each component |
| Competent English | IELTS: At least 6 for each test component ; TOEFL iBT: At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing, and 18 for speaking ; OET: At least B for each test component ; CAE: At least 169 in each of the 4 components ; Pearson (PTE) Academic: at least 50 in each component |
| Proficient English | IELTS: At least 7 for each component ; TOEFL iBT: At least 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing, and 23 for speaking ; OET: At least B for each component ; CAE: at least 185 in each of the 4 components ; Pearson (PTE) Academic: At least 65 in each component |
| Superior English | IELTS: At least 8 for each component ; TOEFL iBT: At least 28 for listening, 29 for reading, 30 for writing, and 26 for speaking ; OET: At least A for each component ; CAE: At least 200 for each component ; Pearson (PTE) Academic: 79 in each component |
Are Asian students exempted from English proficiency tests for Australia?
No. Unless a student is sponsored by Defence or Foreign Affairs, every Indian or Asian student needs to take one of these tests. The simple reason is that being from non-English speaking countries, one needs to have English proficiency evaluated by a standardized test.
Who is exempt from English tests?
Students fulfilling the following conditions may be exempt from taking English tests for studying in Australia –
- Students from the Republic of Ireland, U.S.A, the UK, New Zealand, Australia or Canada.
- Passport holders and citizens of USA, Canada, the UK, Republic of Ireland.
- Defence or Foreign Affairs sponsored students.
- Students who appear in a standalone ELICOS program, postgraduate research or full-time in school studies as a main course.
- Students who have completed the study at Certificate IV level or higher or completed the Senior Secondary certificate in Australia within 2 years of applying for a student visa.
