English language proficiency

If you have completed all your academic training in psychology at a tertiary institution(s) in Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, South Africa, Canada or the USA where programs are conducted in English, you are exempt from sitting an English language assessment.

The APS reserves the right to ask applicants to provide either the IELTS (Academic) or PTE Academic examination if there is uncertainty about their level of English proficiency.

You must provide a certified copy of a satisfactory and valid result, or arrange for the evidence to be sent directly from the testing centre to the APS. 

For PTE Academic results, you may send these results securely through the PTE web site to the APS. 

To meet the English language proficiency requirements you must achieve the required minimum scores in one of the above English language tests and meet the requirements for test results specified:

a) the IELTS (academic module) with a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).

NOTE: We will only accept test results:

• from one test sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a six month period only if:
  • you achieve a minimum overall score of 7 in each sitting, and
  • you achieve a minimum score of 7 in each component across the two sittings, and
  • no score in any component of the test is below 6.5.

b) the PTE Academic  with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking).

NOTE: We will only accept test results:

• from one test sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a six month period only if:
  • a minimum overall score of 65 is achieved in each sitting, and
  • you achieve a minimum score of 65 in each of the communicative skills across the two sittings, and
  • no score in any of the communicative skills is below 58

One Skill Retake (OSR)

From 14 December 2022, IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) will be available for certain test takers. OSR allows test takers to retake one of the four test components in either reading, writing, speaking or listening (once only).

For Australian visa purposes, the Department will accept IELTS test results that include OSR, with the exception of applications for subclasses 476, 482, and 485​, which need scores from a single sitting/attempt.

The APS will accept OSR for our skilled migration applications in general, with the caveat that applicants are aware their result may not be accepted by the Department of Home Affairs should they subsequently apply for subclasses 476, 482 and 485. 

For further information please review the information on the Department of Home Affairs website. 

The APS will accept results from any of the following English language examinations:

• IELTS (Academic) - the International English Language Testing System (Academic module)
• PTE Academic - the Pearson Test of English, Academic

At-home or online English language tests

Some test providers offer alternative versions of their tests that you can take at home or online, such as TOEFL iBT – Home Edition, OET@Home, PTE Academic Online, IELTS Online (General and Academic) and IELTS Indicator.

The Department of Home Affairs does not accept scores from these tests, or any other 'at-home' or 'online' tests for Australian migration purposes. 

For further information please review the information on the Department of Home Affairs website.