Accepted English language tests

The following English language tests are being accepted by National Boards for applicants for registration who need to use the test pathway to meet the English language skills registration standard requirements:

• OET paper or computer-based test (OET CBT) at a testing venue¹
  Please note that an OET profession-specific test has not been developed for the following professions: Chinese medicine, chiropractic, osteopathy, paramedicine and psychology. For these professions, an OET from another profession regulated under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme) that meets the requirements as set out in the English language skills registration standard will be accepted 
• IELTS (Academic module) paper or computer test in a testing venue including IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR). 
  The IELTS OSR allows eligible test takers to re-sit one component of the test within a 60-day period if all other components and certain requirements are met in accordance with the relevant English language skills registration standard.
• TOEFL iBT test (computer at testing centre). Please refer to the Department of Home Affairs website for an update relating to TOEFL tests taken from the 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024.
• PTE Academic (computer at testing centre)

The Medical Board of Australia also accepts successful completion of the profession-specific tests:

• New Zealand Registration Examination (NZREX)
• Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board test (PLAB test).

Some test providers offer alternative versions of their tests that you can take at home or online. These tests are referred to as remote proctored tests. The fully remote proctored OET@home and TOEFL iBT® Home Edition tests were accepted by National Boards during the COVID-19 pandemic while the usual test centres were closed, and applicants were not able to sit English language tests in person. This temporary policy ended on 23 February 2023 and Ahpra and the National Boards no longer accept these tests for registration purposes. National Boards will continue to review tests as they are updated, or if new ones are developed.

Test providers also offer different options to support applicants with additional needs or who have a disability. Please contact test providers directly to discuss your needs.

About the English language skills test

For more information about the tests, please refer to the provider’s website. Any at home and/or ‘indicative’ versions of any of the English language skills tests or versions that include any element of remote proctoring, except the OET CBT, have not been approved by the Boards for regulatory purposes so cannot be accepted.

• IELTS 
• OET
• TOEFL iBT 
• Pearson
• NZREX (medical only)
• PLAB (medical only)

¹ The OET CBT has one remote proctored element which has been assessed by National Boards as suitable for their requirements