Australian institutions generally accept:
IELTS Academic
PTE Academic
TOEFL iBT
Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE)
OET (mainly for health courses)
Minimum English Requirements
🔹 Diploma / Certificate Courses
IELTS: Overall 5.5 (no band less than 5.0)
PTE: 42–49
TOEFL iBT: 46–60
🔹 Bachelor’s Degree
IELTS: Overall 6.0 (no band less than 5.5)
PTE: 50–57
TOEFL iBT: 60–78
🔹 Master’s Degree
IELTS: Overall 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
PTE: 58–64
TOEFL iBT: 79–93
🔹 PhD / Research Programs
IELTS: 6.5–7.0
PTE: 64+
⚠️ Important: Some universities or courses may require higher scores, especially competitive programs.
🏥 Special Requirements for Health & Professional Courses
| Course | Typical IELTS Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nursing | 7.0 overall (7.0 each band) |
| Teaching | 7.5 overall |
| Social Work | 7.0 overall |
| Medicine | 7.0–7.5 overall |
| Engineering / IT | 6.0–6.5 |
🛂 Student Visa (Subclass 500) English Requirement
For visa purposes, the Department of Home Affairs generally accepts:
IELTS 5.5 overall, or
Equivalent score in PTE / TOEFL / CAE
However 👇
👉 University requirements always override visa minimums
📚 English Pathway Options (If You Don’t Meet the Score)
If your score is low, you can still study in Australia via:
ELICOS (English Language Courses)
Packaged Offer (English + Main Course)
Foundation / Diploma Pathway
Many students use this option successfully 👍
⏳ Test Validity
English test results are valid for 2 years from the test date.
🎯 Expert Tip (From Experience)
Choosing the right test matters:
PTE → Faster results, computer-based, popular with Nepali students
IELTS → Widely accepted, paper or computer options
OET → Best for nurses & health professionals
