Updated on: 06 Sep 2023
Scoring well in the IELTS can significantly benefit individuals seeking a temporary or permanent stay in Australia for two compelling reasons. Firstly, the IELTS holds a prominent position as the preferred English test for educational institutions, professional associations, and employers throughout Australia, surpassing other entrance tests. Secondly, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade accepts IELTS scores for Australia for various visa categories, discontinuing the acceptance of TOEFL scores from 28th July 2023. This makes IELTS even more crucial for those aiming to study and work in Australia. Table of Content Achieving a good IELTS score opens up numerous opportunities to explore in Australia. The journey to studying, working, and thriving in this vibrant country starts with obtaining a strong IELTS score. Here are the minimum IELTS scores required for different purposes in Australia, according to the 2023 data from official sources: IELTS scores for immigration to Australia: According to the latest information applicable for 2023 and 2024, the minimum score for immigrating to Australia is an overall 6.0 bands. The purpose of your immigration can vary from academic to professional and, eventually, to obtain Permanent Residency. IELTS scores for Australia PR: For Permanent Residency in Australia, obtaining 6.0 or more bands in the Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing sections is mandatory, and securing more will earn you more points while processing your application for PR. Minimum IELTS scores for Australia student visa: The minimum IELTS score for an Australian student visa is 6.0 bands overall and 5.5 bands for each section of the IELTS Academic test. IELTS scores for a work visa in Australia: For an Australian work visa, you need 6.0 bands in the IELTS General Training test. If you have a low IELTS score than the minimum required for your purpose, you can apply for the test again whenever you are ready. Ensure you put a significant effort into improving your language skills. IELTS One Skill Retake: IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) facility allows test takers to retake only one section of the IELTS - Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking - without the need to go through all the sections again. Currently, the OSR facility is available only in test centers in Australia and will be available to other locations soon from 2023. A minimum of 6.0 bands or more in IELTS Academic is mandatory to study in Australia for various academic goals. If you are planning to study in Australia, refer to the table below for the minimum IELTS Academic score requirement: Level of study IELTS Academic minimum score required Undergraduate 6.0 bands with not less than 5.5 bands in all sections Postgraduate 6.5 bands with not less than 6.0 bands in all sections Doctoral 6.5 bands with not less than 6.0 bands in all sections Short-term courses 6.0 bands with not less than 5.5 bands in all sections Diploma courses 6.0 bands with not less than 5.5 bands in all sections The minimum IELTS scores for Australia’s top universities fall between 6.5 - 8.0 bands, with 6.5 bands as the median. These universities also demand specific band scores for each part of the test. The table below presents the top Australian universities as per QS World University Rankings 2024, and the required IELTS score: University QS World University Rankings 2024 Minimum IELTS score requirements 14 6.5 bands 19 6.5 bands 19 6.5 bands 34 6.5 bands 42 6.5 bands 43 6.5 bands The University of Western Australia 72 6.5 bands 89 6.5 bands 90 7.5 bands 130 6.5 bands Remember, the minimum IELTS score requirement can change for different courses in the same university. You must check your university’s website for the required IELTS overall and sectional scores applicable to your course of study. If you want to explore professional growth in Australia, good scores in IELTS General Training can get you the tickets. Here is the minimum IELTS score for various job roles in Australia: Job titles IELTS General Training minimum score required Nurses 7.0 bands Engineers 6.0 bands Teachers 7.0 bands Finance jobs like Accountant, Auditor, etc. 6.0 bands IELTS is all about preparing consistently and practicing with a goal-oriented mindset. That's why we have created a YouTube series of IELTS preparation aiming to help with your hard work. Watch out and start your preparation with us. The top reasons for taking the IELTS for Australia include long and short-term study, employment, immigration, registration as a doctor or nurse, and other personal reasons. While the minimum IELTS score for Australia is 6.0 bands in general, test-takers globally score between 5.0 - 7.5 bands in IELTS Academic and General Training tests, as the 2022 data says. Remember, it is possible to get the required IELTS score for Australia through consistent effort and a goal-focused approach. In your effort, we offer a helping hand to boost your IELTS preparation. Book for IELTS preparation course and get in touch with us for more guidance on IELTS and education in Australia. Read also: After the 12th, an IELTS score of 6.0 bands is required for Australia to pursue undergraduate courses. For some scholarships, a minimum IELTS score required to enter a particular university is an eligibility requirement to apply for a scholarship in Australia. Other than that, IELTS scores do not influence your chances of getting a scholarship in Australia. Yes, considering the current situation. From 26 July 2023 onwards, Australia has temporarily stopped accepting the TOEFL scores since the TOEFL had optimized its syllabus recently. The IELTS scores are valid for 2 years. You can apply for an Australian visa within this period after getting the IELTS results. According to IDP, international citizens require a minimum of 6.0 bands in IELTS to study or work in Australia. However, depending on your university or employer, the score requirement can be flexible. 
Types of IELTS score requirement for Australia
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IELTS scores to study in Australia
IELTS scores for top Australian universities
IELTS scores to work in Australia
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Frequently asked questions
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First published date: 04 Aug 2023
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Sahil Sahil khan
GyanDhan is India's first education financing marketplace.
