English Requirements

As an international student in Australia, you are surrounded by some of the best and most well-regarded education providers in the world, you can take your pick from a range of the most liveable cities, and you’re awarded more flexibility in finding a part-time job (which you can use to practice your English conversation skills!). That’s not to mention Australia’s stunning and diverse landscapes, great weather, incredible landmarks, unique wildlife, friendly, multicultural community, and laid-back lifestyle.

Plus, there are compulsory national standards that education providers must meet and a comprehensive, industry-led quality support framework, meaning that international students studying English in Australia – or any course, for that matter! – are guaranteed a high-quality education that will be recognised across the world.

There are a range of courses and qualifications to suit your needs and the level of English you want to achieve. These include:

General English

If you’re looking to improve your English for general, everyday use or casual work in an English-speaking country; improve your general proficiency before commencing higher level English courses.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

If you’re wanting to study at an Australian school, university or vocational institution.

English for Specific Purposes (ESP)

If you’re looking to improve your English language skills for a specific context or environment, for example, for a corporate or business environment.

Exam preparation for English proficiency tests

If you’re wanting to undertake an English language exam such as IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge or PTE Academic.

English for teaching

If you intend to teach English as a second language in your own country.

Study tours

If you want a mix of general English learning with a short holiday, or to undertake work-related training.

As an international student, if you are interested in undertaking study at an Australian educational institution, you may be required to pass an English test before applying. This is to demonstrate you have a certain level of English language skills.

If you are required to undertake an English language test, it must have been completed in the 2 years before you apply for a student visa.

There are some students who do not need an English test for their visa application, for example, if you’re only planning on taking an accredited English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) in Australia.

There are a range of different English language tests you can take, including:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
• Cambridge English: Advanced (Certificate in Advanced English)
• Occupational English Test (OET)

The IELTS, PTE, CAE and OET are all valid and accredited ways of assessing your English, depending on which institution you are applying to, with different scores needed for each test. Make sure to check with your educational institution before taking the test, as the minimum score requirement for the course you are interested in may be higher than that for a student visa.

Please note that the TOEFL internet-based test (TOEFL IBT) stopped offering English lagnuage tests for Australian visa purposes. A score for a TOEFL IBT test taken on or after 26 July 2023 no longer satisfies the English language requirement for Student visa purposes. Only TOEFL IBT scores from a test taken on or before 25 July 2023 are accepted fro Student visa purposes.

The entry requirements you’ll need to study in Australia vary according to the level of English language course you want to study. You will need to check the entry requirements with your chosen institution.

To study in Australia as a full-time student, you’re required to apply for a Student visa (subclass 500).

This visa allows you to study for up to five years in a recognised education institution.

During the application process, you may need to provide evidence of your English language skills, depending on the course you plan to study.

This supporting evidence includes department-approved English language test scores.

It is important that your level of English is up to the standard of the Department of Home Affairs, as you may be required to provide evidence of your proficiency to obtain a student visa. If required by the Department of Home Affairs you must provide evidence that you have either:

• Obtained a satisfactory test score in an English language test that has been approved by the Department;
• Completed eligible studies in English, or
• Fall into an exemption category

When you finish your English study in Australia, you have the opportunity to apply for a different visa, as you may be eligible to meet the English requirements. However, each student’s eligibility is assessed individually.

There are many high-quality English-language colleges in Adelaide to help speed your pathway to tertiary or secondary education.

In fact Adelaide has one of Australia’s oldest English-language colleges, SACE College of English, was established in 1987.

It’s a member of the International Association of Language Colleges and a recognised Teacher Training Centre.