IELTS Score for Australia 2025 – Minimum Score for Study, PR, and Work

If you are planning to study in Australia, one important thing you need is a good IELTS score. Almost all Australian universities, TAFE colleges, and even the Department of Home Affairs need proof of your English language skills. The IELTS exam checks your ability in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, which are all required for visa approval and university admission.

The minimum IELTS score for an Australia student visa is usually 6.0 bands for undergraduate courses and 6.5 bands for postgraduate courses. But some top universities or competitive courses like medicine, law, or teaching may ask for a higher band.

If you miss the required band by just 0.5 in one section, you don’t need to panic. You can use IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) and improve just one skill instead of giving the full test again. Whether you are applying for a student visa, PR, or a work visa, knowing the right IELTS band for Australia is very important to make your journey smooth.

Why IELTS is Required to Study in Australia?

If you want to study in Australia, you must prove your English language skills. One of the most popular and accepted tests is the IELTS exam.

Almost all Australian universities, TAFE colleges, and even the Department of Home Affairs ask for an IELTS score when you apply for a student visa, work visa, or even PR (permanent residency).

IELTS is accepted by most Australian universities for bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD courses. The IELTS exam is accepted by over 1,000 reputable institutions in Australia for its ability to test four major English skills: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. The IELTS test is also very important for international students for visa approval and admission to good universities. 

Minimum IELTS Band Required for Australia Study Visa

Check the minimum IELTS requirements for different courses and visa types in Australia.

Course-wise Minimum IELTS Band Required for Australia

Course	Postgraduate
Undergraduate or Diploma	Overall band of 6 or 6.5
Postgraduate	Overall band of 6.5, and each section should have at least 6 bands

Section-wise IELTS Score for Australia Visa

Visa Type	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking	Overall
Austraila Student Visa (Undergraduate)	5.5	5.5	5.5	5.5	6.0
Student Visa (Postgraduate)	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.5 or 7.0

Always check your university or college website before applying. Some courses may ask for higher IELTS bands, especially for competitive programs like medicine, teaching, or law.

Minimum IELTS Score Required for Top Australian Universities

To study at top universities in Australia, students must have a good IELTS score. Most Australian universities need at least 6.5 band in IELTS, but some ask for more, especially for postgraduate courses.

Below is a table showing the minimum IELTS score for both UG (undergraduate) and PG (postgraduate) programs at top universities in Australia:

S. No.	University Name	IELTS score for undergraduate courses	IELTS score for postgraduate courses
1	Australian National University	6.5	7.0
2	University of Sydney	6.5	7.0
3	University of Melbourne	6.5	7.0
4	University of New South Wales (UNSW)	7.0	7.0
5	Monash University	6.5	6.5
6	University of Queensland	6.5	7.0
7	University of Adelaide	6.5	7.0
8	University of Western Australia	6.5	7.0
9	University of Technology Sydney	6.5	6.5
10	Macquarie University	6.5	6.5

IELTS One Skill Retake for Australia (OSR)

The IDP offers an IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) option for international students going to Australia.

• Candidates who are not able to achieve a target band in just one part of the test don’t have to repeat the whole test.
• You can retake one section: Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking, within 60 days of your first test.
• This feature is only available at IELTS on Computer test centres in Australia.
• Your OSR score is accepted by both Australian universities and the immigration office.

It’s a time-saving and budget-friendly choice if you missed the band by just 0.5 in any one skill.

Also Read: Does IELTS score affect scholarships in Australia?

IELTS Score for Australia Work Visa 

International candidates need to apply for the IELTS test to apply for different visa types in Australia, like Subclass 482, 186, 189, etc. IELTS is often required for skilled migration, PR (permanent residency), and employer-sponsored visas in Australia. 

Visa Type	Minimum Overall Band
General Skilled Migration	6.0
Permanent Residency (PR)	7.0 or 8.0 (for points)
Employer-Sponsored Visas	5.0–6.0

IELTS Score Validity for Australia

Your IELTS score is valid for 2 years from the date you take the test. It should still be valid when you apply for your Australian student visa or college admission. So, make sure your IELTS result is not expired when you send it for any visa or university process.

Can I Study in Australia Without IELTS?

Yes, it is possible to study in Australia without IELTS. Some universities in Australia accept international students and visa applicants without an IELTS scorecard. Many universities accept TOEFL, PTE, or Cambridge English test scores for international candidates. Some universities also accept the MOI (Medium of Instruction) certificate as proof of their English language proficiency. However, for the Australia student visa, the visa officer might still ask for IELTS, especially if you are from a high-risk country.

Tips to Get Required IELTS Score for Australia

If you want to get the required IELTS score for Australia, here are some simple tips:

• Understand the test format: Know how IELTS Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking work.
• Practice daily: Do some IELTS practice every day. Use books, online tests, or apps.
• Watch English shows and videos: It helps with listening and learning new words.
• Speak in English with friends or family: This builds confidence for the speaking test.
• Write small essays and get feedback: Improve your writing skills with practice and corrections.
• Learn time management: In IELTS, managing time is very important, especially in reading and writing.
• Take mock tests: Do full-length IELTS tests to see how you perform under time pressure.
• If you miss by 0.5 band, try IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR): You can improve one section only.

Also Read: Is IELTS required for Australia?

Common Mistakes to Avoid in the IELTS Exam

Many students lose marks in the IELTS exam because of small mistakes. Here are some common IELTS mistakes you should avoid:

• Not understanding the question: Read every question properly, especially in IELTS Reading and Writing.
• Poor time management: Don’t spend too much time on one section. In IELTS Reading, manage time well.
• Writing fewer words: In IELTS Writing Task 2, always write at least 250 words, or you lose marks.
• Ignoring grammar and spelling: In IELTS Writing and Listening, grammar mistakes and spelling errors reduce your score.
• Memorising answers: In the Speaking test, don’t try to remember answers. Speak naturally.
• Speaking too fast or too slow: Try to speak clearly in the IELTS Speaking test, not too fast or too slow.
• Not checking your work: If time is left, always check your answers in the Reading and Writing sections.

Conclusion

The minimum IELTS score for Australia in 2025 depends on what you want to do. You need at least 6.0 overall for most undergraduate courses and no band less than 6.0. For postgraduate courses, most universities want 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, but some top programs need 7.0 or higher. 

You usually need at least 5.5–6.0 overall for a student visa, but higher scores help with top colleges and visa approval. If you want to work or get PR in Australia, you need at least 6.0 in each section for most skilled visas, but higher bands (7.0 or 8.0) give you more points for immigration. 

Always check the exact IELTS requirement for your university or visa type. If you need help with IELTS preparation, university selection, or visa process, talk to upGrad experts. They will guide you step by step for your Australia dream.