Accepted English language tests

About registration

Some applicants will need to sit an English language test in order to meet National Boards’ English language skills registration standard. You must sit an accepted English language test and achieve the required minimum scores and meet certain test requirements, as set out below and in Appendix one of the ELS standard.

There are currently five English language tests that are accepted by National Boards:

Cambridge - C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (paper and computer at test centre only)
IELTS Academic - International English Language Testing System (Academic – paper and computer at test centre only)
OET - Occupational English Test (on paper or computer based in testing centre)
PTE Academic - Pearson Test of English Academic (computer at test centre only)
TOEFL iBT - Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (computer at test centre only)

The Medical Board of Australia also accepts successful completion of the following profession-specific tests for registration as a medical practitioner:

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

For more information about these tests or to book a test sitting, please refer to the test provider’s website.

Frequently asked questions about English language tests

Expand all | Collapse all

What score do I need to achieve?

Expand

The score you need to achieve depends on which English test you complete. The tables below set out the accepted tests and the relevant minimum scores required in each of the component skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing), and the required overall scores needed.

Test	Profession	Overall score needed⁵	Component scores needed	Test results accepted from one test sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a 12-month period only if:
Cambridge (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency) (Paper and computer at test centre only)	Chinese medicine Chiropractic Dental Medical Medical radiation practice Midwifery Nursing Occupational therapy Optometry Osteopathy Paramedicine Pharmacy Physiotherapy Podiatry Psychology	Minimum score of 185	Minimum overall score of 185 in each of the three components: listening reading speaking and minimum score of 176 in the one component: writing.	you are tested in all four components in each sitting you achieve a minimum score of 185 in each component for listening, reading and speaking and a minimum score of 176 for writing across the two sittings, and when using two test sittings no score in any component of the test(s) for either test sitting is below 176.
IELTS (Academic paper and computer at test centre only)	Chinese medicine Chiropractic Dental Medical Medical radiation practice Midwifery Nursing Occupational therapy Optometry Osteopathy Paramedicine Physiotherapy Podiatry Psychology	Overall score of 7	Minimum score of 7 in each of the three components: listening reading speaking and minimum score of 6.5 in the one component: writing.	you achieve a minimum overall score of 7 in each sitting, and you achieve a minimum score of 7 in each component for listening, reading and speaking and a minimum score of 6.5 for writing across the two sittings, and when using two test sittings no score in any component of the test(s) for either test sitting is below 6.5.
OET (On paper or computer based in testing centre) (Any profession-specific OET test can be accepted)	Chinese medicine Chiropractic Dental Medical Medical radiation practice Midwifery Nursing Occupational therapy Optometry Osteopathy Paramedicine Pharmacy Physiotherapy Podiatry Psychology		Minimum score of B in each of the three components: listening reading speaking, and minimum score of C+ in the one component: writing.	you are tested in all four components in each sitting, and you achieve a minimum score of B in each component for listening, reading and speaking and a minimum score of C+ for writing across the two sittings, and when using two test sittings no score in any component of the test(s) for either test sitting is below C+.
PTE Academic (Computer at test centre only)	Chinese medicine Chiropractic Dental Medical Medical radiation practice Midwifery Nursing Occupational therapy Optometry Osteopathy Paramedicine Pharmacy Physiotherapy Podiatry Psychology	Minimum overall score of 66	Minimum score of 66 in each of the three communicative skills: listening reading speaking and minimum score of 56 in one communicative skill: writing.	a minimum overall score of 66 is achieved in each sitting, and you achieve a minimum score of 66 in each of the communicative skills of listening, reading and speaking and a minimum score of 56 in writing across the two sittings, and when using two test sittings no score in any of the communicative skills for either test sitting is below 56.
TOEFL iBT (Computer at test centre only)	Chinese medicine Chiropractic Dental Medical Medical radiation practice Midwifery Nursing Occupational therapy Optometry Osteopathy Paramedicine Pharmacy Physiotherapy Podiatry Psychology	Minimum total score of 94	24 for listening 24 for reading 24 for writing, and 23 for speaking.	a minimum total score of 94 is achieved in each sitting, and you achieve a minimum score of 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 24 for writing and 23 for speaking across the two sittings, and when using two test sittings no score in any of the test sitting sections is below: 20 for listening 19 for reading 24 for writing, and 20 for speaking.

Does it matter which profession I’m applying for registration in?

Expand

All National Boards (except the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia) accept the same English tests and require the same minimum scores.

The IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT test and Cambridge English tests can be taken by applicants from any profession.

OET has not yet developed a specific test for some professions. An OET test from another registered profession that meets the requirements as set out in the ELS standard will be accepted.

Some test providers offer different options to accommodate different needs. In choosing which test to sit, you should determine which test is the most suitable or convenient for you.

How many English language tests can I take?

Expand

National Boards will accept test results either from one sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings within a 12-month period.

‘Test results’ refers to the official results provided by the test provider. If you are providing test results from two test sittings, the results from both sittings must meet the requirements of this standard.

‘Two test sittings in a 12-month period’ means that the dates of the sittings must not be more than 12 months apart. For example, if your first test sitting was on 1 March, the second sitting must be no later than 28 February of the next year. If you are providing test results from two sittings, you may provide results of any two tests taken within a 12-month period, as set out in this standard. Please note, results from different test providers cannot be combined.

Can I re-sit one component of a test?

Expand

National Boards have agreed to accept the IELTS One Skill Retake to provide further flexibility to applicants applying for registration. This is not available for the other accepted English language tests.

The IELTS One Skill Retake 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. Successful completion of an IELTS One Skill Retake is not considered an additional test sitting by National Boards; however, if you are relying on results from two test sittings and an IELTS One Skill Retake, all three of these tests must have been completed within a 12-month period.

Example – Circumstances that would be accepted by National Boards (IELTS only)

Test	Date of test	Component scores	Rationale
First test sitting	1 March 2021	Listening – IELTS score 7 Reading – IELTS score 6.5 Speaking – IELTS score 7 Writing – IELTS score 6	This applicant would meet the ELS standard because they: Completed two test sittings within 12 months They completed the one skill retake within 12 months of the first test They are relying on results from the same test provider (IELTS) They have completed the One Skill Retake within 60 days of the English test result they are relying on for registration They have met the minimum required scores
Second test sitting	2 January 2022	Listening – IELTS score 7 Reading – IELTS score 7 Speaking – IELTS score 7 Writing – IELTS score 6
One Skill Retake	15 February 2022	Writing – IELTS score 6.5

Test

Date of test

Component scores

Rationale

First test sitting

1 March 2021

Listening – IELTS score 7
Reading – IELTS score 6.5
Speaking – IELTS score 7
Writing – IELTS score 6

This applicant would meet the ELS standard because they:

Completed two test sittings within 12 months
They completed the one skill retake within 12 months of the first test
They are relying on results from the same test provider (IELTS)
They have completed the One Skill Retake within 60 days of the English test result they are relying on for registration
They have met the minimum required scores

Second test sitting

2 January 2022

Listening – IELTS score 7
Reading – IELTS score 7
Speaking – IELTS score 7
Writing – IELTS score 6

One Skill Retake

15 February 2022

Writing – IELTS score 6.5

Do National Boards accept at home versions of English language tests

Expand

Any at home and/or ‘indicative’ versions of any of the English language tests or versions that include any element of remote proctoring, except the OET computer-based test (at test centre only), are not approved by National Boards and are not accepted.

The OET computer-based test (at test centre only) has one remote proctored element which has been assessed by National Boards as acceptable.

I have a valid English language test result that demonstrates that I meet the standard, however, it is more than two years old. Do I need to sit another test?

Expand

Generally, yes. English language test results are valid for two years before the date you lodge your application for registration.

However, there are certain circumstances in which you may not have to sit another test. Test results will be accepted if they were obtained more than two years before the date you lodge your application for registration if, since your test results were obtained, you:

have been continuously working in a recognised country as a registered health practitioner or in another relevant health, disability or aged-care related role where English was the main language of practice, or
have been continuously enrolled in a Board-approved program of study (which started within 12 months of the test date) and successfully completed subjects in each semester, with no break from study apart from the education provider’s scheduled holidays, and
lodge your application for registration within 12 months of finishing your last period of employment or completing the Board-approved program of study.

For the purposes of calculating time, if you are relying on test results from two sittings in a 12-month period, time begins to run from the date of the earlier sitting. Results from different test providers cannot be combined.

‘Continuously working’, means working for at least 26 weeks full-time equivalent per year. For example, 52 weeks part-time work (five days per fortnight) which in total adds up to the equivalent of 26 weeks. Full-time equivalent means the equivalent to working full-time hours, typically ranging from 35 to 38 hours per week.

If your test results expired during the advance copy period of the ELS registration standard, between 12 December 2024 and 17 March 2025, you may be able to rely on these results under National Boards’ transition arrangements policy. Under this policy, you must submit an application for registration within 30 days of the revised standard taking effect, by 18 April 2025.

Why do National Boards accept these English language tests?

Expand

The tests used by the National Boards to determine English language competence are also used by the Department of Home Affairs to determine visa eligibility. The scores required to demonstrate English language competence for each test are specified in the ELS registration standard. Each test is slightly different, however, the scores required to meet the standard have been benchmarked so they are set at equivalent levels across all the tests. It is not easier to achieve the required scores on one test, compared with any of the others.

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.

If you sat one of these tests as part of your application for a skilled migration visa in the past two years and you achieved the requirements and results specified in the standard, you can use those results and do not need to sit another test.

Do I need to sit a language test every two years to remain registered?

Expand

No. If you have demonstrated that you meet the ELS standard, you do not need to sit another test as long as you remain registered. However, it is up to you to ensure that you maintain your level of English language proficiency once you are registered, even if you frequently communicate with patients in a language other than English.

The National Boards and Ahpra may reassess your English language skills if a concern is raised, for example, a complaint is made about you.