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What if my English score is too low?

A low score does not always mean no. Australia’s visa rule lets you use a lower score if you also enrol in an English course first. You have three main routes.

Three routes when your score is not enough

  • Package an English course with your main course

    Australia’s visa rules allow a lower score if you add 10 or 20 weeks of English study (called ELICOS) before your main course starts. This is the most common route.

    • 10 extra weeks of ELICOS → use the +10-week score column
    • 20 extra weeks of ELICOS → use the +20-week score column

    The exact lower scores for each test are on the English score requirements page. The packaged course must be with an ELICOS-registered provider and appear on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

    Source: Home Affairs — English language requirements

  • Complete a direct-entry English program

    Some colleges offer English programs that replace the test entirely. You pass the course — no IELTS or PTE needed. These are called “direct entry” or “English bridging” programs.

    A few verified examples from our register:

    • Kaplan Business School Adelaide · Adelaide
      Website →
    • Griffith English Language Institute (GELI) · Brisbane
      A$470/wkWebsite →
    • TAFE Queensland English College · Brisbane
      Website →
    • UQ College (Institute of Continuing & TESOL Education) · Brisbane
      A$686/wkWebsite →
    • Griffith English Language Institute (GELI) Gold Coast · Gold Coast
      A$470/wkWebsite →
    • Kaplan Business School · Gold Coast
      Website →

    Full list further down this page.

  • Retake the test

    Most tests can be retaken as many times as you need. There is no waiting period between sittings unless the provider imposes one (check the test’s own rules).

    IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR)

    If only one section (Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking) let you down, IELTS offers a One Skill Retake. You retake just that section rather than the whole test. OSR results are accepted for the Australian student visa.

    OSR pricing is separate from the full-test fee. Contact IDP or British Council directly for the current One Skill Retake price in your country.

    Check IDP or British Council’s website for eligibility rules and any timing requirements that apply.

    IELTS (IDP) →IELTS (British Council) →PTE Academic →

How many weeks will I need?

A rough guide used by many colleges is around 10 to 15 weeks of full-time study per half band of IELTS improvement. The actual number depends on the individual student and the college’s program design.

Example (general framing only)

  • Gap of 0.5 IELTS bands: roughly 10–15 weeks (one level of study at most colleges)
  • Gap of 1.0 band: roughly 20–30 weeks (two levels)
  • Gap of 1.5+ bands: 30 or more weeks — direct-entry or bridging programs are often more practical

These are broad industry estimates, not a guarantee. Each college sets its own level structure and progression rules. Always ask the college for an enrolment assessment before committing.

What does it cost?

English course costs vary significantly between providers. The figures below are based on 2026 weekly fees published by verified Australian providers in our register.

Weekly fee range (verified direct-entry providers)

A$460 – A$694 per week

Based on 14 direct-entry providers in our register with published 2026 weekly fees. Most programs run 10 to 30 weeks — so a 20-week program at a mid-range college typically costs several thousand dollars in tuition alone, before enrolment fees and materials.

Always get a full written quote from the college including enrolment fees, materials, and any exam costs before committing.

English training centre register (Australia)

All centres below are Australian ELICOS providers. Data was verified from provider websites in August 2026. Fees and programs change — check with the college directly before applying.

Showing 53 providers.

  • ELSIS Adelaide

    Adelaide · private college

    General English / EAP / Study Pathways

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    02644C
    not confirmed
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Eynesbury College

    Adelaide · private college

    ELICOS

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    00561M
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • ILSC-Adelaide

    Adelaide · private college

    General English / IELTS / Cambridge / EAP / University Pathway

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    02137M
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Kaplan Business School Adelaide

    Adelaide · private college

    English for Academic Purposes (EAP1 EAP1&2 EAP2)

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    02426B
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • BROWNS English Language School

    Brisbane · private college

    Intensive General English / IELTS Exam Preparation / Advanced English Academic Practice / Barista / High School Preparation

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$550
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    02663M
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Griffith English Language Institute (GELI)

    Brisbane · university English centre

    Direct Entry Program / General English

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$470
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    00233E
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • ILSC-Brisbane

    Brisbane · private college

    General English / IELTS / Cambridge / EAP / University Pathway

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    02137M
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • John Paul International College

    Brisbane · private college

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    00500B
    verifiedverified
    Where this came fromChecked:

  • Langports (Langports Gold Coast Pty Ltd)

    Brisbane · private college

    UFO English / IELTS / Cambridge Flexi FCE CAE CPE / TOEIC+ / EAP / High School Preparation

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    03883B
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • QUT College

    Brisbane · university English centre

    General English (10/20 wks) / English for Academic Purposes 1 and 2 (Standard and Extended)

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    00213J
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Shafston International College

    Brisbane · private college

    General English / Cambridge Exam Preparation / IELTS Preparation

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    03917H
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • TAFE Queensland English College

    Brisbane · TAFE

    General English / IELTS preparation / Cambridge preparation (FCE CAE)

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    03020E
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • UQ College (Institute of Continuing & TESOL Education)

    Brisbane · university English centre

    Integrated English / Bridging English (111789A)

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$686
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    04039H
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Cairns College of English and Business

    Cairns · private college

    IELTS Exam Preparation (course 073937B)

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    03251A
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • University of Canberra

    Canberra · university English centre

    English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (course 928AA)

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    00212K
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Alana Kaye College

    Darwin · private college

    English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    03675K
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Charles Darwin University

    Darwin · university English centre

    English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    00300K
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • BROWNS English Language School Gold Coast

    Gold Coast · private college

    Intensive General English / IELTS / Advanced English Academic Practice

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$550
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    02663M
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Griffith English Language Institute (GELI) Gold Coast

    Gold Coast · university English centre

    Direct Entry Program / General English

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$470
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    00233E
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Kaplan Business School

    Gold Coast · private college

    English for Academic Purposes (EAP1 EAP1&2 EAP2)

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    02426B
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Langports Gold Coast

    Gold Coast · private college

    UFO English / IELTS / Cambridge / EAP

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    03883B
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Shafston International College Gold Coast

    Gold Coast · private college

    General English / Cambridge / IELTS

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    03917H
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Tasmanian College of English (TCE)

    Hobart · private college

    General English / English for Tertiary Studies / IELTS Preparation (12-24 wks) / High School Bridging / English Plus

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    01758A
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • University of Tasmania English Language Centre

    Hobart · university English centre

    Direct Entry / EAP Program / General English / English Test Centre

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    00586B
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Acknowledge Education (Melbourne)

    Melbourne · private college

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    00197D
    verifiedverified
    Where this came fromChecked:

  • Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI)

    Melbourne · university English centre

    English language courses (EAP stream)

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$510
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    00113B
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Discover English

    Melbourne · private college

    General English / English for IELTS and Academic Purposes (EIAP) / Cambridge B2 C1 C2

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$405
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    03262J
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Hawthorn-Melbourne (Hawthorn Learning Pty Ltd)

    Melbourne · university English centre

    General English / UMELBP / EAP / IELTS prep / English for Business / Intensive Academic Preparation

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$540
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    02931G
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • ILSC-Melbourne

    Melbourne · private college

    General English / IELTS / Cambridge / EAP / University Pathway

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    02137M
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • La Trobe College Australia

    Melbourne · private college

    English for Further Studies (Levels 3-6)

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$515
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    03312D
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Monash College

    Melbourne · university English centre

    Monash English (076753G) / Introductory Academic Program (041847B)

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$680
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    01857J
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • RMIT University Pathways (RMIT English Worldwide)

    Melbourne · university English centre

    Academic English / General English / IELTS prep / PTE testing

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    01912G
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Swinburne University of Technology

    Melbourne · university English centre

    ELICOS — English for Academic Purposes EAP3-EAP5

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$500
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    00111D
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Victoria University

    Melbourne · university English centre

    General English (VNENG / 059112E) / EAP

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$530
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    00124K
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Curtin University (Curtin English)

    Perth · university English centre

    General English / Gateway English / English Language Bridging (ELB)

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    00301J
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • ILSC-Perth

    Perth · private college

    General English / IELTS / Cambridge / EAP / University Pathway

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    02137M
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Lexis English Perth

    Perth · private college

    General English / IELTS Preparation / Cambridge PET FCE CAE CPE

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$550
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    03274E
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Milner International College of English

    Perth · private college

    General English (daytime and evening) / IELTS Preparation and EAP / Cambridge PET FCE CAE / CELTA

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    00061J
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Navitas English Perth

    Perth · private college

    General English / Academic English / IELTS prep / Cambridge prep

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$555
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    00289M
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Perth International College of English (PICE)

    Perth · private college

    General English

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    02368G
    not confirmed
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Phoenix Academy

    Perth · private college

    General English / Business English / university pathway

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    00066D
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • UWA Centre for English Language Teaching (CELT)

    Perth · university English centre

    Language and Communication Essentials / EAP / IELTS Examination Preparation / Academic Study Skills Bridging Course

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$500
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    00126G
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Access Language Centre

    Sydney · private college

    General English / work experience programs

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    01738E
    not confirmed
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • ELSIS (English Language School in Sydney)

    Sydney · private college

    General English / EAP / Study Pathways

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    02644C
    not confirmed
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Greenwich College

    Sydney · private college

    General English / IELTS / Cambridge (B1 Preliminary B2 First C1 Advanced) / Linguaskill / TOEFL

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    02672K
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • ILSC-Sydney (ILSC (Brisbane) Pty Ltd)

    Sydney · private college

    General English / IELTS Mastery / Cambridge Mastery / EAP / University Pathway

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$460
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    02137M
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Macquarie University College (English Language Centre)

    Sydney · university English centre

    General English / EAP / IELTS prep / Direct Entry Program

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$550
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    00002J
    not confirmed
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Navitas English

    Sydney · private college

    General English / Academic English / IELTS prep / Cambridge prep

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$590
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    00289M
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • Sydney College of English

    Sydney · private college

    General English / High School Preparation

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • TAFE NSW

    Sydney · TAFE

    General English (049258C) / English for Academic Purposes (0101064)

    Weekly fee (approx):
    Not published — contact college
    Direct entry:
    Not confirmed
    CRICOS:
    00591E
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • University of Sydney Centre for English Teaching (CET)

    Sydney · university English centre

    Direct Entry Course (DEC 5/10/15/25/36)

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$684
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    00026A
    not confirmed
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • UNSW College

    Sydney · university English centre

    University English Entry Course (UEEC) direct entry

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$694
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    01020K
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

  • UTS College

    Sydney · university English centre

    Academic English for Foundation / Diploma / Bachelor-Masters

    Weekly fee (approx):
    A$640
    Direct entry:
    Yes — can replace IELTS
    CRICOS:
    00859D
    verifiedverified
    College website →Where this came fromChecked:

CRICOS codes are government registration numbers for providers offering courses to international students. A green “verified” tick means the code was confirmed against the official CRICOS register during our research. An amber warning means the provider lists a code on their own site but we did not independently verify it this research round.

Official CRICOS register: cricos.education.gov.au

Test preparation in your home country

We have not researched test-preparation providers in Vietnam, Indonesia or China as part of this register — that would be a separate research project. For official preparation centres and materials, go directly to the test provider:

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.