Australia Suspends TOEFL iBT for Visas, New Guidelines for English Tests

The Australian government has recently made an important announcement regarding English language tests for visa purposes.

According to the official website of Australia’s Department of Home Affairs — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au — the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT will no longer be accepted for Australian visa applications, effective from July 26.

TOEFL iBT No Longer Valid for Australian Visas

Previously, TOEFL scores were considered acceptable for individuals seeking Australian visas. However, as per the latest announcement, the Australian government will no longer recognize TOEFL iBT scores for visa purposes until further notice.

Other Accepted English Language Tests

While TOEFL iBT is being suspended, the Australian government continues to accept scores from several other approved English language tests. These include:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with One Skill Retake (OSR) option,
• Pearson Test of English (PTE),
• Cambridge English (CAE) (also known as C1 Advanced), and
• Occupational English Test (OET), which is designed specifically for health professionals.

IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) Option

One notable feature for certain IELTS test takers is the availability of the One Skill Retake (OSR) option. This allows applicants to retake one of the four test components — reading, writing, speaking, or listening — once only.

However, it’s essential to remember that for Australian visa purposes, IELTS test results that include OSR will be accepted, except for applications for subclasses 476, 482, and 485, which require scores from a single sitting or attempt.

This update aims to streamline the English language proficiency assessment process for Australian visas and provide applicants with clear guidelines on accepted tests.

Applicants are encouraged to refer to the official website of Australia’s Department of Home Affairs for further details and updates regarding English language test requirements for visa applications.