Accepted English language tests

About registration

Taking an English test as part of your application for registration? Changes to the minimum scores required are in effect from 23 April 2026. Read on to learn what this may mean for your application.

If you need help completing your online application, you can contact our Customer Service Team on 1300 419 495.

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.

From 23 April 2026, National Boards have updated the minimum scores of accepted English tests to align with current score concordance research and scores set by the Department of Home Affairs for migration purposes. The scores you need to meet will depend on when you took your English test and more information is provided below.

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)

NOTE: To ensure your TOEFL iBT result is valid for Australian registration purposes, you must select 'Taking TOEFL for Australia' when registering for your test. TOEFL iBT Australia is the test currently accepted by National Boards for registration purposes.

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

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What score do I need to achieve?

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The score you need to achieve depends on which English test you complete and when you took your English test. 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, depending on when you took your test(s).

On 23 April 2026, National Boards updated the minimum scores required for registration. The tables below include information about what scores you need to meet, depending on when you took your English test(s). More information about this is set out in National Boards’ transition arrangements policy (288KB, PDF).

Table 1

Minimum test scores and requirements for tests taken on or before 22 April 2026.

Test	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)	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)	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)		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)	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)	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.

Table 2

Minimum test scores for tests taken on or after 23 April 2026.

Test	Overall score needed	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 (Paper and computer at test centre only)	Overall: 178	Listening: 175 Reading: 179 Writing: 180 Speaking: 194	you are tested in all four components in each sitting you achieve the required minimum scores in each component for listening, reading, writing and speaking 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: 168 for listening 168 for reading 180 for writing, and 187 for speaking.
Cambridge C2 Proficiency (Paper and computer at test centre only)	Overall: 185	Listening: 185 Reading: 185 Writing: 176 Speaking: 185	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 (Academic paper and computer at test centre only)	Overall: 7	Listening: 7 Reading: 7 Writing: 6.5 Speaking: 7	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)	N/a	Listening: 350 Reading: 360 Writing: 350 Speaking: 360	you are tested in all four components in each sitting, and you achieve the required minimum scores in each component for listening, reading, writing and speaking, and when using two test sittings no score in any component of the test(s) for either test sitting is below: 320 for listening 340 for reading 350 for writing, and 350 for speaking.
PTE Academic	Overall: 63	Listening: 58 Reading: 59 Writing: 60 Speaking: 76	a minimum overall score of 63 is achieved in each sitting, and you achieve the required minimum scores in each of the communicative skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking across the two sittings, and when using two test sittings no score in any of the communicative skills for either test sitting is below: 53 for listening 54 for reading 60 for writing, and 66 for speaking.
TOEFL iBT	Overall: 91	Listening: 22 Reading: 22 Writing: 23 Speaking: 24	a minimum total score of 91 is achieved in each sitting, and you achieve the required minimum scores for listening, reading, writing and speaking across the two sittings, and when using two test sittings no score in any of the test sitting sections is below: 19 for listening 19 for reading 23 for writing, and 22 for speaking.

I took a test(s) on or before 22 April 2026. Which scores do I need to meet?

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Your test scores must meet the old minimum scores set out in Table 1 of the Transition arrangements policy for changes to minimum scores for accepted English tests – April 2026.

I took a test(s) on or after 23 April 2026. What scores do I need to meet?

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Your test scores must meet the new minimum scores set out in Table 2 of the Transition arrangements policy for changes to minimum scores for accepted English tests – April 2026.

I took my first test on or before 22 April 2026, and my second test on or after 23 April 2026. What scores do I need to meet?

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Your first test must meet the old minimum scores in Table 1.

Your second test must meet the new minimum scores in Table 2.

Why did National Boards update the minimum scores for accepted English tests from 23 April 2026?

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In August 2025, the Department of Home Affairs published changes to the English language tests approved for migration purposes. These changes reflected recent score concordance research published by test providers.

National Boards approved changes to the minimum scores required for registration purposes in consideration of this latest score concordance research and alignment with the Department of Home Affairs.

Importantly, these changes do not change the level of English language proficiency required for registration.

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

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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?

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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?

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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 6.5 Writing – IELTS score 6.5	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 6.5 Writing – IELTS score 6.5
One Skill Retake	15 February 2022	Speaking – IELTS score 7

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 6.5
Writing – IELTS score 6.5

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 6.5
Writing – IELTS score 6.5

One Skill Retake

15 February 2022

Speaking – IELTS score 7

Do National Boards accept at home versions of English language tests

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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?

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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.

National Boards’ transition arrangements policy (211 KB,PDF) provided some time-limited flexibility for applicants whose test results expired during the advance copy period of the ELS registration standard, between 12 December 2024 and 17 March 2025. Applications under this policy must have been submitted within 30 days of the revised standard taking effect, by 18 April 2025.

Why do National Boards accept these English language tests?

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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 and were updated on 23 April 2026. 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?

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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.