Some Student visa applicants are required to provide the results of an English language test.
As of 20 May 2011, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test is one English language test option accepted by the department for Student visa purposes. The department can also accept an English language test result from test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Occupational English Test (OET) in 14 countries where IELTS is not available.
However, the department will shortly be able to accept the following English language test options for Student visa application purposes:
- TOEFL in all countries
- Pearson Test of English Academic (Pearson) in all countries
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) from Cambridge ESOL (Cambridge) in all countries.
Equivalency scores for TOEFL, Pearson and Cambridge are being finalised and will be announced shortly. Test results from these alternative test providers (or in the case of TOEFL, from applicants in countries other than the 14 previously specified) will not be accepted for Student visa purposes until after this process has been completed. This is expected to be in place later this year.
The department will continue to accept a test result from IELTS. Current testing arrangements and equivalency scores for IELTS will not change.
The department will be closely monitoring the implementation of the new test providers and a review will be undertaken to determine whether these should be extended for the use with other visa programs.
