What English score do I need for an Australian student visa?

English requirements for an Australian student visa (subclass 500) vary by institution and course level, but here are the standard benchmarks:

For the visa itself, you typically need to demonstrate English proficiency through your institution's enrolment, which they assess before issuing your CoE.

Typical university entry requirements:
- Undergraduate: IELTS 6.0–6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)
- Postgraduate coursework: IELTS 6.5–7.0 overall
- Postgraduate research: IELTS 6.5–7.0 overall (sometimes 7.0 with no band below 6.5)

TOEFL iBT equivalents: 60–90 depending on course level
PTE Academic: 50–65 depending on course level
Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency: B or above

Group of Eight (Go8) universities tend to require higher scores — IELTS 6.5–7.0 minimum for most programmes.

ELICOS pathways: If your English does not meet direct entry requirements, many universities offer packaged English + academic programmes (ELICOS + degree). This is a common route for students who are close to the entry requirement.

Exemptions: You may be exempt from English tests if you are from an exempt country (UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, NZ), have completed secondary education in English medium, or have completed previous tertiary study in English.

Some institutions also accept Duolingo English Test (DET) scores — typically 105–120 for undergraduate and 120–130 for postgraduate.

Scores must generally be less than 2–3 years old at the time of application. Check your specific institution's requirements before sitting a test.