English Requirements for Australia: IELTS, PTE and TOEFL Scores for Universities and the Visa, and ELICOS Packages
Two English thresholds apply: the university's, for admission, and Home Affairs', for the visa. The university's is almost always higher: IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each band for most courses, against a visa minimum of 6.0. Students who fall a little short can package an English course (ELICOS) before the degree.
By Leonid Kurza · co-founder of Edumapple · checked
6.5IELTS for most university courses
6.0visa minimum IELTS
5.5visa IELTS with 10 weeks of ELICOS
2 yearsmaximum age of the test
Visa minimums (tests from 7 August 2025)
Test
Degree alone
With 10 weeks ELICOS or foundation
With 20 weeks ELICOS
IELTS Academic
6.0
5.5
5.0
PTE Academic
47
39
31
TOEFL iBT
67
51
37
Cambridge C1 Advanced
161
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The visa test must be taken within two years before you lodge. Whether you attach it at all depends on the Document Checklist Tool.
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Courses your marks and degree qualify for
Tuition and the visa living funds, counted in rupees
Most universities: IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each band (Melbourne, Monash postgraduate, UQ, UWA, RMIT, Adelaide).
Lower: UNSW 6.0 with 5.5 bands (default tier); Flinders 6.0; Tasmania 6.0 with 5.5 (bachelor's) or 6.0 (master's).
Higher: nursing 7.0 (Sydney in every band, UTS 7.0 with writing 6.5); teaching 7.5 (Sydney, UTS combined degrees); law 7.0–7.5; Sydney business 7.0.
UTS asks IELTS 6.5 with writing 6.0, TOEFL iBT 79 with writing 21, or PTE 58 with writing 50.
For the 485 later
The Temporary Graduate visa needs IELTS 6.5 with 5.5 in each band, from a test taken within twelve months of applying. Plan to retest near graduation; see the 485 visa.
Questions from Indian students: English requirements for Australia
What IELTS score is required for Australian universities?
Most courses ask IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0. UNSW's default tier is 6.0 with 5.5 bands; Tasmania 6.0 for bachelor's; nursing, teaching, law and some health courses 7.0–7.5; speech pathology at Adelaide 8.0.
Is PTE accepted in Australia?
Yes, by every university and by Home Affairs. University equivalents of IELTS 6.5 range from PTE 58 (UTS) to 64 (UWA, UQ, Melbourne). The visa minimum is PTE 47 for tests taken from 7 August 2025.
Can I give an online English test?
Not for the visa: IELTS Online, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, LanguageCert Academic Online and other at-home tests are not accepted. TOEFL candidates must select 'Taking TOEFL for Australia' from 21 January 2026.
What is ELICOS packaging?
An English course with its own CoE before the degree. With ten weeks of ELICOS the visa accepts IELTS 5.5 (PTE 39); with twenty weeks, 5.0 (PTE 31). The university sets its own entry level for the package.
Is Class 12 English accepted instead of IELTS?
Some universities accept strong English marks from CBSE or ISC for admission; Home Affairs decides separately whether the visa needs a test. Check both before skipping the test.
