Australian Immigration IELTS Band Requirements

Updated on 05 January, 2022

Mrinal Mandal

Study Abroad Expert

The Australian immigration IELTS band requirement is crucial if you wish to study, live or work in the country. There are multiple visa options like study visas, business visas, and skilled or sponsored work visas.

Some of these visas also create the foundation for obtaining PR (permanent residency) in Australia in the future. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the most popular global test for English language proficiency. The score determines Australian education and immigration alike.

Australian Immigration IELTS Band Requirements for Study Visa

The Australian immigration IELTS band requirement in 2021 for study visas depends on the course.

Here are some key points:

IELTS 7.0 for medical programs with no band score lower than 7.0.
IELTS 6.0 for bachelor’s programs with 6.0 in every band.
IELTS 6.5 overall for master’s degrees with a minimum of 6.0 in every band.
Some universities may accept lower band scores for particular courses. Check the criteria carefully on official university websites.

Education-wise Australian Immigration IELTS Band Requirements

If you have to take an English language proficiency test for getting your visa or studying at an Australian university, you can choose between IELTS General and Academic. The former is necessary for migration, while the latter helps in getting admission into universities. IELTS is accepted for multiple visa types by the Department of Home Affairs, along with permanent residency (PR) applications. It is mandatory at several accrediting organizations and professional entities in Australia.

The minimum IELTS score requirement for immigration is 6. Study visas will require a minimum score of 5.5 in all four IELTS bands, with an overall 6.0 and higher for undergraduate degrees. Graduate programs require at least IELTS 6.0 in every band and overall scores of 6.5 and higher. Engineering, education studies, or teaching programs require IELTS 7.0 as the overall score. A score of 7.0 is the minimum requirement for each band as well.

Summing up the main points for the IELTS score and band requirements:

Certificate, diploma, and bachelor’s courses: Minimum IELTS 6-6.5 (overall) with at least 5.5-6 in each band.
Post-graduate or master’s programs: Minimum 6.5 (overall) with a minimum band score of 6.0.

IELTS Score Requirements for Educational Institutions

The IELTS score requirements differ across leading Australian colleges and universities. Here’s a closer look at some of the country’s top names and their minimum IELTS criteria.

Institution	Global Ranking	Minimum IELTS score for UG programs	Minimum IELTS score for PG programs
University of Melbourne	39	7.0	7.0
Monash University	59	6.5	6.5
Australian National University	24	6.5	7.0
University of Adelaide	114	6.5	6.5
University of New South Wales	45	6.5	6.5
University of Sydney	42	6.5	6.5
University of Technology Sydney	160	6.5	6.5
University of Western Australia	91	6.5	6.5

This table will help you assess the IELTS score criteria and apply to your chosen Australian university likewise.

IELTS is a globally acclaimed testing system, preferred by immigration and university authorities in Australia. It tests the ability of an aspirant to listen, write, read, and speak in English. Different entities and institutions have varying IELTS band score requirements. It is important to understand these beforehand. Students should invest adequate time and effort into preparing for the IELTS examination. These scores will determine their academic and professional futures in Australia.