English Language Requirements for Australian Universities

Two requirements, set by different bodies

When you apply to study in Australia, English language evidence usually matters in two separate places: the university's own admission requirement for your course, and the English requirement for the student visa, which is set by the Australian Government (Department of Home Affairs).

These are decided by different bodies and can differ from each other. Meeting a university's English requirement does not automatically satisfy the visa's requirement, and the reverse is also true. Treat them as two checks and confirm each on its official source.

• University requirement — set by each institution for each course
• Visa requirement — set by the Department of Home Affairs
• Satisfying one does not automatically satisfy the other

How English fits Australia's education system

Australia organises its qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), a single national framework of ten levels. English-language courses sit outside those levels in a distinct sector called ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) — so an English or bridging course is classified separately from a degree.

If you do not yet meet a university's direct English requirement, common routes are an ELICOS course or a pathway/foundation program that builds academic English before your degree. Each university sets which pathways it accepts and the outcome you must reach, so confirm the options on the official course and admissions pages.

• Qualifications sit under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) — 10 levels
• English courses form a distinct sector (ELICOS), separate from AQF degree levels
• Direct-entry alternatives: an ELICOS course or a pathway/foundation program

Tests universities commonly accept

Australian universities commonly accept recognised English tests such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, and PTE Academic, and several also accept other tests depending on the course. Each university lists the tests it accepts and the scores it requires on its official admissions pages.

Because accepted tests and required scores differ by university, by course, and by level of study, do not assume a test or score that worked for one application will work for another. Confirm the accepted tests and minimums on each university's official course or admissions page.

• IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, and PTE Academic are commonly accepted
• Some courses accept additional tests — check the course page
• Required scores vary by course and study level

Exemptions and alternative evidence

Universities may waive a test requirement in certain situations — for example, where prior study was completed in English, or where an applicant holds a qualification the university recognises as meeting its English standard. The conditions for these exemptions are defined by each university and vary.

If you think you may qualify for an exemption, do not assume it applies. Check the specific university's official policy and ask its admissions office, because exemption rules and the documents required to prove them differ between institutions.

The student-visa English requirement

Separately from the university's requirement, the student visa (subclass 500) has its own English evidence rules set by the Department of Home Affairs, which expresses required levels through named bands — Functional, Vocational, Competent, Proficient and Superior English. Home Affairs also lists the approved tests (the accepted set was updated on 7 August 2025) and does not accept fully online or at-home English tests.

We do not publish the specific visa English scores here because they are government-set and updated periodically. Always check the current accepted tests and levels on the official Department of Home Affairs website. This is general information, not immigration advice — verify on the official government source before acting.

How to plan your English evidence

Start by reading the English requirement on the official page for each course you are applying to, and note the accepted tests and scores. Then check the visa English requirement separately on the official immigration website. Aim to satisfy whichever requirement is higher, and leave time to retake a test if needed.

Because both university and visa rules change between intakes, verify everything against the current official pages close to when you apply rather than relying on older information.