Last checked: 3 September 2026. English entry and Student visa requirements can change. Confirm the current rules for your provider, course and circumstances before booking a test or applying.
“What IELTS or PTE score do I need to study in Australia?” sounds like a question with one number, but there are actually two separate score checks: the education provider’s admission requirement and the Australian Student visa English requirement. Your course may require a higher result than the visa minimum—and meeting either score never guarantees admission or a visa.
The quick answer
As a broad planning guide, many Australian courses advertise English entry requirements around IELTS Academic 5.5 to 6.5 or an accepted equivalent. Some courses accept lower scores with English preparation or a packaged pathway, while regulated or language-intensive programs may require IELTS 7.0 or higher. These are common planning ranges, not universal entry rules.
Always check the exact course page. Look for the overall score, minimum score in each skill, permitted test type, test-date limit and whether retakes are accepted.
What different IELTS score levels may mean for study planning
| IELTS Academic level | Practical planning meaning | Indicative PTE Academic overall range* |
|---|---|---|
| Below 5.0 | Direct entry options may be limited. Build general English first and ask about ELICOS or a longer pathway before choosing an intake. | Below the published 4.5 comparison range |
| 5.0 | May support entry to some English-packaged, foundation or selected vocational options. Direct course entry is provider-specific. | 31–38 |
| 5.5 | Common starting point for some vocational, foundation and pathway options; many degree courses ask for more. | 39–46 |
| 6.0 | Accepted by some vocational and higher-education courses, while many university programs require 6.5. | 47–54 |
| 6.5 | A common requirement for many undergraduate and postgraduate programs, often with minimum skill scores. | 55–62 |
| 7.0+ | Often relevant to programs with demanding language or professional requirements. Some courses require 7.0 in every skill rather than only overall. | 63–70 for IELTS 7.0 |
Sources: IELTS and CEFR comparison and Pearson’s 2025 PTE Academic–IELTS concordance study.
Current minimum scores for the Student visa
For approved tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, the current Subclass 500 instrument sets the following scores. The lower columns apply only where the applicant and study package meet the stated ELICOS, foundation or eligible pathway conditions. They are not general “easy visa” scores.
| Approved test | Standard minimum | With at least 10 weeks ELICOS / specified pathway | With at least 20 weeks ELICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| C1 Advanced | 161 | Not accepted for this concession | Not accepted for this concession |
| CELPIP General | 7 | 6 | 5 |
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 average | 5.5 average | 5.0 average |
| IELTS General Training | 6.0 average | 5.5 average | 5.0 average |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 61 | 54 | 46 |
| MET | 53 | 49 | 44 |
| OET | 1210 | 1090 | 1020 |
| PTE Academic | 47 | 39 | 31 |
| TOEFL iBT | 67 | 51 | 37 |
Official source: Migration (English Language Tests and Evidence Exemptions for Subclass 500 (Student) Visas) Instrument 2025. Use the Document Checklist Tool to see what evidence may be requested for your application.
Why the visa score may not be enough for your course
The visa table and provider admission policy serve different purposes. For example, IELTS General Training appears in the Student visa list, but an academic course may require IELTS Academic. A packaged course may satisfy a visa score concession, while the principal course still has a higher English target that must be reached before progression.
- Provider requirement: determines whether you can enter or progress to the course.
- Student visa requirement: determines whether you meet the relevant immigration criterion or evidence request.
- Professional requirement: may apply separately for registration, placement or future practice.
What if your score is below the target?
A lower result does not always mean you cannot study in Australia. It means the plan needs to be checked carefully. Depending on the provider and your circumstances, possible education options may include:
- studying English first through ELICOS;
- a packaged English course followed by the principal course;
- a foundation or eligible pathway program;
- choosing a later intake and retaking the test;
- selecting a course with an entry level that better matches your current English;
- improving only the weak skill if the provider accepts an eligible retake format.
The right choice depends on more than the score. Consider your academic background, budget, time, learning needs and whether the package is suitable and credible. A longer English course adds tuition and living costs, so compare the full plan before accepting an offer.
A simple score-improvement plan
- Confirm the exact target and minimum score for every skill.
- Take a timed diagnostic test in the correct exam format.
- Prioritise the weakest one or two skills instead of practising everything equally.
- Use official sample tests and track results weekly.
- Book the real test only when practice scores are consistently near the target.
- Keep enough time for results, a possible retake and the intended intake.
Continue the English preparation series
First compare the formats in Which English Tests Are Accepted for Studying in Australia?. Then use our list of free English practice websites. If you are worried your current English is too low, read Can You Study in Australia If Your English Is Not Yet Strong?.
How Pynch Education can help
Pynch Education can help you compare course entry requirements, education pathways, timing and estimated study costs in English or Thai. We are not a migration agent and do not provide immigration legal advice or guarantee admission, a visa, employment or permanent residency.
This article is general education information, not immigration or legal advice. Requirements vary and may change. Confirm current information with the provider and Home Affairs.