Have you been thinking about living, studying or working in Australia?
You’ll need to apply for a visa, and a part of this process often involves proving your English language skills. To do this, you’ll need to take an English language test. The eligibility page for the visa you want to apply for will tell you what level of English is required and what proof you need to show.
In this article you’ll find out which tests are recognised by the Australian government, a comparison table so you can easily compare features and detail about the components of each test to help you choose the most suitable English test for your needs.
* Information is correct as of September 2024. Visa requirements and exact test details can change so always check official sources.
Which English proficiency tests are accepted in Australia?
- - International English Language Testing System, including One Skill Retake (OSR),
- - Pearson Test of English,
- - Cambridge English (also known as C1 Advanced),
- - Test of English as a Foreign Language,
- - Occupational English Test (this is a test developed for health professionals).
Whilst some of these test providers may offer at home or online versions of their tests, these are not accepted by the Australian government. All tests must be taken at secure test centres.
Which test should you take?
English language proficiency tests measure how well you can understand, speak, read, listen, and write in English. Each test is unique, so consider these questions before choosing a test:
- Are you comfortable with talking to an examiner in person?
- Do you prefer taking a test on paper or on a computer?
- How much does the test cost?
- Is there a test centre close to you?
- What types of questions are you better at answering?
It’s a good idea to review all the options before making your decision.
Tests at a glance
To get started, check out this table that compares four of the tests.
| | IELTS | PTE | CAE | TOEFL iBT |
| Type | Paper or computer | Computer | Paper | Computer |
| Length | 3 hours | 2 hours | 4 hours | 2 hours |
| Format | Listening: 30 mins (plus 10 mins to transfer answers) Reading: 60 mins Writing: 60 mins Speaking: 11–14 mins | Speaking & Writing: 54-67 mins Reading: 30 mins Listening: 30 mins | Reading and Use of English: 1 hr 30 mins Writing: 1 hr 30 mins Listening: 40 mins Speaking: 15 to 23 mins | Reading: 35 mins Listening: 36 mins Speaking: 16 mins Writing: 29 mins |
| Scoring | 0 (no attempt) to 9 (expert user) | 10-90 | 180-199 (C1 Level) | 0-120 |
| Cost in AUD* | ||||
| Australian test centres | Test centres | Test centres in NSW, QLD, VIC and WA |
* Prices are current as of August 2024 and are subject to variation by exchange rate, test centre and location. Always check fees prior to registration.
Do one or two of these tests sound like they might be the right one for you? Read the detailed information below to find out more about the tests that interest you.
IELTS blocks Source: iStockphoto / Maks_Lab/Getty Images
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
has been around since 1989 and is widely available in Australia. There are two versions: general and academic (be sure to check which one you need).
IELTS assesses how well you can use English across four skill areas: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. In the Listening and Reading parts of the test you will have to answer 40 questions. The Listening section has four recordings, and the Reading section has three long texts. The more questions you get right, the better your score will be.
In the Speaking and Writing parts of the test you need to talk or write about different topics. These sections are marked by trained examiners who assess your responses based on a set of criteria.
Some people have taken the IELTS test more than once to improve their score, but this can get expensive. The good news is that the Australian Immigration and Citizenship Department now accepts for some visas. IELTS OSR lets you retake one part of the test within 60 days of your original test date, so you don’t have to redo the entire test.
While IELTS may be one of the most popular tests, it’s not for everyone. Some people feel nervous talking to an examiner face-to-face, and the reading and writing tasks are long. You also need to be good at all four parts of English as the overall score is an average of the scores for each section.
Whilst IELTS is available on computer, this is only available at a smaller number of centres. IELTS on computer is similar to on paper and students still have to speak face to face to an examiner in the speaking section.
PTE - short for Pearson Tests of English Source: iStockphoto / Maks_Lab/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
was the first English language test to be done completely on a computer, so it’s great for people who are comfortable with technology and prefer not to speak to a real person. Scoring is done automatically by artificial intelligence (AI), which uses complex algorithms based on real test responses.
Your overall score is based on how well you do across the entire test. There are between 52 and 64 tasks and 20 different question types. The tasks test your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Some tasks assess more than one skill at the same time, like reading and speaking or listening and writing. These are called integrated skills tasks.
Some tasks are scored simply as correct or incorrect, while others, like speaking or writing tasks, are scored on content, form, and traits. The scores for the traits help make up your final score for each task.
- Content: How well your response answers the question.
- Form: Formal details, like meeting the word count.
- Traits: Use of vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and how well your response is structured.
Because this test is done on a computer the writing tasks require quick and accurate typing, so being good at typing is important. Also, the wide range of tasks and integrated skills assessments can be challenging, so taking some practice tests before the real one is recommended.
College of Corpus Christi and the Blessed Virgin Mary in Cambridge, United Kingdom Source: iStockphoto / HildaWeges/Getty Images
Cambridge English (CAE)
is very well known in Europe, where it is valid for life and can help with career advancement. In Australia, results from the paper-based CAE taken after 12 February 2024 are accepted for visa and migration purposes.
The CAE test has four sections. The first section is Reading and Use of English, which has 8 types of texts and 56 questions, including questions about grammar and vocabulary. The writing section has two questions: an essay and a task such as writing an email. The Listening section has 4 parts and 30 questions. Finally, the Speaking test is an interview and a discussion about pictures with one or two other people and two examiners. This format can be stressful for some test takers.
In the CAE test, each section is scored separately, and then the scores are averaged to get an overall score. The Reading and Use of English section counts for 40% of the total score, while the other sections each count for 20%. So, it is important to be strong in Reading and Use of English.
Unlike other tests, there are a series of Cambridge proficiency tests that range from Pre A1 Level (Basic) to C2 Level (Proficient). The CAE is for advanced English speakers at a CEFR C1 level or IELTS 6.5 to 8.0. This means it may have difficult vocabulary, grammar, and texts. Combined with this, the test is one of the longest at 4 hours so you’ll need good concentration skills over a long period of time. If you’re considering taking the CAE, make sure you are confident about your English level before you start.
Test of English as a Foreign Language Source: iStockphoto / Maks_Lab/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT)
There is a new version of the , which is accepted for Australian visa and migration applications. The test must be taken at an approved test centre (not online) and only after 4 May 2024. This is good news for students who like the TOEFL iBT format, especially the short two-hour time frame and the many multiple-choice questions.
The TOEFL iBT has four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. All sections are done on a computer, and some tasks will be integrated such as reading and listening to a topic, then speaking about it.
- Reading: You will read 2 academic passages and answer 10 questions about each passage, including questions about vocabulary.
- Listening: There are 28 questions based on 3 lectures and 2 classroom discussions.
- Speaking: You will complete four tasks, including comparing two options, talking about familiar topics, and showing your understanding of academic topics.
- Writing: There are two tasks: comparing two texts and writing a response to an academic discussion.
Each section is scored out of 30 points, adding up to a total score of 120 points. The Reading and Listening sections are scored by AI, the Speaking section is recorded and later scored by a human rater, and the Writing section is scored by both AI and human raters.
Some test takers find the Listening section difficult because you only get to hear the recording once, so you have to pay close attention and think fast. The Speaking section can also be tough because there is only 15-30 seconds to prepare an answer, and since your response is recorded for someone to watch later, it can be stressful.
Practice tests
Before you make your final decision about what test you’ll take, try taking a practice test to see if it’s right for you. Practice tests are a great way to prepare and become familiar with the types of tasks and question types you will have on the real test.
Here are some official and free practice materials to get you started:
- has lots of learning materials and several computer and paper based practice tests and there’s an for your phone.
- has 5 free questions to see what the exam is like, and the has free learning materials and practice questions.
- has free digital and paper-based sample exams.
- The is a 40min version of the test and there’s also a full length practice test available by signing up for a free account with .
No matter which test you decide to proceed with, correct preparation and knowing what to expect will help you reach your goals.
