# IELTS band requirements for Australia

Home Affairs sets English levels by score in each skill, Academic or General Training, taken at a test centre. Nursing registration is set by Ahpra.

Checked against the official sources on 2026-10-08.

## IELTS scores for Australia

| For | IELTS test | Minimum | Conditions |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Competent English (skilled visas and points) | IELTS Academic or General Training | 6 in each of the four skills; 0 points | No overall score is set (points are from the 189 points table). One Skill Retake is accepted for eligible visas; check the visa page. |
| Proficient English (skilled visas and points) | IELTS Academic or General Training | 7 in each of the four skills; 10 points | No overall score is set (points are from the 189 points table). One Skill Retake is accepted for eligible visas; check the visa page. |
| Superior English (skilled visas and points) | IELTS Academic or General Training | 8 in each of the four skills; 20 points | No overall score is set (points are from the 189 points table). One Skill Retake is accepted for eligible visas; check the visa page. |
| Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams | IELTS Academic or General Training | 5.0 in each of the four skills | For tests taken on or after 13 September 2025; no overall score is listed, and the test must be in the 3 years before you apply. Tests before that date needed 5.0 overall and 5 in each, in one sitting. |
| Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) | IELTS Academic or General Training | 6.5 overall, at least 5.5 in each skill | Taken in the 12 months before you apply (Post-Higher Education Work stream). One Skill Retake is accepted if completed before you lodge. |
| Nursing and midwifery registration (Ahpra) | IELTS Academic only | 7 overall, 7 in Listening, Reading and Speaking, 6.5 in Writing | At a test centre (paper or computer). Up to two sittings within 12 months can be combined if each has 7 overall and no score is below 6.5. One Skill Retake is accepted; at-home tests are not, and IELTS Academic is the only IELTS test on Ahpra's accepted list. |

*Checked against official sources on 2026-10-08*

Work out your bands on the [IELTS band score chart](/ielts/band-score-chart) or with the [IELTS band score calculator](/ielts/band-score-calculator). What the test costs where you'll take it is on [IELTS fees by country](/ielts/fees).

The PTE Academic scores for each of these English levels are in [PTE and IELTS scores for Australian visas](/blog/pte-score-australia-pr).

## Questions

### Does Australia accept IELTS Online?

No. Home Affairs doesn't accept tests delivered completely online (remote-proctored or at home), and names IELTS Online among them. Take IELTS at a test centre.

### What IELTS score gives 10 points for Australian PR?

Proficient English, 7 in each of the four skills, gives 10 points on the 189 points table; Superior English, 8 in each, gives 20.

### What IELTS score do nurses need in Australia?

IELTS Academic with 7 overall, 7 in Listening, Reading and Speaking and 6.5 in Writing, per Ahpra's accepted tests page.

**Sources**
- [Home Affairs: Competent English](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language/competent-english)
- [Home Affairs: Skilled Independent visa (189) points table](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189/points-table)
- [Home Affairs: Proficient English](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language/proficient-english)
- [Home Affairs: Superior English](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language/superior-english)
- [Home Affairs: Skills in Demand visa (482) English](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skills-in-demand-visa-subclass-482/sufficient-english)
- [Home Affairs: Temporary Graduate visa (485), Post-Higher Education Work](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485/post-higher-education-work)
- [Ahpra: Accepted English language tests](https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills/Accepted-English-language-tests)