English for an Australian student visa
What score you need, which tests count, what they cost, and what to do if your score is too low.
What do you want to know?
What English score do I need?
It depends on your course, not just the visa.
Which tests are accepted?
Nine tests. Not every test works for every visa.
Where do I take the test and what does it cost?
Test centres in Vietnam, Indonesia, China and Australia, with 2026 prices.
Where can I practise for free?
Free official practice tests, and which paid ones are worth it.
What if my score is too low?
You may still be able to come. Here is how.
Rule change — August 2025
The government changed these rules on 7 August 2025.
Scores from a test taken on or before 6 August 2025 still work until 6 August 2028.
Source: F2025L00906 — Student Visa English Language Proficiency Instrument 2025
Do I even need a test?
Many students do not need to provide a test score at all. A student needs no English test score if any one of the following applies.
- Holds a passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland.
- Is a Foreign Affairs or Defence sponsored student, or a Secondary exchange student.
- Main course is a registered school course.
- Main course is a standalone English course (ELICOS).
- Main course is registered and taught in a language other than English.
- Main course is a registered postgraduate research course.
- Has completed at least 5 years of study in English in Australia, the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa or Ireland.
- In the 2 years before applying: completed the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education in Australia in English while holding a student visa.
- In the 2 years before applying: completed a substantial part of a course at Certificate IV level or higher in Australia while holding a student visa.
Important — packaged enrolments
The course-based exemptions above apply only if that course is the only one enrolled in for the visa application.
A packaged enrolment — where an English course is added before the main course — breaks the exemption.
General information only — not migration advice. StudyVisaHub provides general information sourced from publicly available Australian Government publications. For decisions about a visa application, consult a Registered Migration Agent (MARN) or an Australian immigration lawyer.