Taking IELTS from home sounds easy, but not every organisation accepts it. Two of the biggest users of IELTS in Australia, the Department of Home Affairs and Ahpra, don't accept fully online or at-home versions. Here's what each one says.
Australian visas (Home Affairs)
- Fully online IELTS tests are not accepted for English levels such as Superior English.
- IELTS Academic and General Training are both accepted.
- Your test needs to be from the 3 years before your visa application, depending on the visa subclass.
- One Skill Retake results are accepted for eligible visas.
| English level | IELTS score needed in each of the 4 skills |
|---|---|
| Competent | 6 |
| Proficient | 7 |
| Superior | 8 |
It's your score in every skill that counts, not your overall band. See our IELTS for Australian PR guide for the points.
Nurses and health practitioners (Ahpra)
- Ahpra accepts IELTS Academic, not General Training.
- It must be taken on paper or on computer at a test centre.
- At-home, remote-proctored and "indicative" versions of English tests are not approved.
See our IELTS for nurses guide for the minimum scores and the rules for combining two tests.
Check before you pay. Every organisation sets its own rules, and they change. Confirm the accepted test type on the official website of the organisation you are applying to before you book.
Getting ready for a test-centre IELTS
Writing and Speaking are where most people lose bands. Check a Task 2 essay with the free BandIQ Band Check and practise answering out loud with free Speaking practice.
Frequently asked questions
Is IELTS Online accepted for Australian PR?
No. Home Affairs does not accept fully online IELTS tests for English levels such as Superior English. Take IELTS on paper or computer at a test centre.
Does Ahpra accept IELTS Online?
No. Ahpra accepts IELTS Academic on paper or computer at a test centre only. At-home and remote-proctored versions are not approved.
Does Ahpra accept IELTS General Training?
No. Ahpra lists IELTS Academic only.
Does Home Affairs accept IELTS General Training?
Yes. For English levels such as Superior English, both IELTS Academic and General Training are accepted, with the same scores.