Australia to not consider TOEFL score

While TOEFL score was acceptable earlier, the Australian government has announced that it won't be considered, beginning from July 26.

TOEFL score not valid for Australian study visa

IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) is also available for certain test takers. (Representative image. Source: Unsplash)

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The Australian government has announced that “TOEFL iBT will no longer be offering English language tests for Australian visa purposes until further notice.” The announcement was made at the official website of Australia’s Department of Home Affairs — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.

While the Test of English as a Foreign Language score was acceptable earlier, the Australian government has announced that it won’t be considered, beginning from July 26.

Read | ETS launches TOEFL Go app to facilitate test takers

“The enhanced version of the TOEFL iBT, which begins worldwide administrations on July 26, has been designed to improve the test taker experience, reducing the test time and streamlining the registration process, while maintaining the rigor and reliability the test is known for. ETS has submitted the enhanced test to Australia’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to be reviewed as part of a standard process the Department takes to evaluate English language tests. We commend the DHA for this thorough review which ensures that its high standards for measures of English proficiency are upheld,” Rohit Sharma, SVP of Global Higher Education and Workskills, ETS told indianexpress.com.

As of now, Australia accepts scores from the following tests undertaken at a secure test centre for English language visa requirements:

— International English Language Testing System (IELTS), including One Skill Retake (OSR)*
— Pearson Test of English (PTE)
— Cambridge English (CAE) (also known as C1 Advanced)
— Occupational English Test (OET), noting this is a test developed for health professionals

Aspirants should also remember that for Australian visa purposes, IELTS test results that include OSR, with the exception of applications for subclasses 476, 482, and 485, which need scores from a single sitting/attempt, will be accepted.

Additionally, IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) is also available for certain test takers. “OSR allows test takers to retake one of the four test components in either reading, writing, speaking or listening (once only),” the official notification stated.