While a lot of international students apply for admission to Australian universities, ELP tests are mandatory for submissions. Some applicants wish to study in Australia without IELTS, which can be because of n' number of reasons. There may be alternatives to submitting IELTS exam scores, there are even universities in Australia that do not accept IELTS at all for admission. This article will shed more light on how international students can study in Australia without IELTS exam scores.
Australia offers international students the chance to study at top universities in 2025 without needing to take the IELTS exam. Many Australian universities take other English proficiency test like TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo, some even no need test if you finish school in English or do university English course.
Some schools, like University of Queensland, University of Adelaide, Macquarie University, and Bond University, give these easy options. With this, students can now study in Australiaa without worrying about IELTS.
- How to Study in Australia without IELTS?
- Australian Universities That May Waive IELTS
- What About Work Visas in Australia?
How to Study in Australia without IELTS?
To answer this question straight, if international students can study in Australia without IELTS, the answer is a big yes, but with conditions. Students looking for admission to the top universities in Australia can apply without IELTS scores only if they have studied in those countries where certificates awarded are recognized by the Australian Education System. And now you must be wondering how. Following is a list of conditions as proposed by some of the top Australian Universities that accept applications even if one of the conditions is fulfilled by the applicant:
Yes, there are other equivalent ELP tests that can be accepted in place of IELTS exam and they are as follows:
- CPE, Certification of proficiency, or Certificate in Advanced English
- PTE score (Both individual & overall)
- They must complete their secondary studies in Australia
- TAFE SA course
- CELUSA Language course level-4
- Tertiary studies in Australia at least for 1-year, etc.
These submissions will be based on the proposed IELTS exam scores given for a particular course admission.
Yes, in majority of the cases Indian students who score 70-80% in their Board exams can be exempted from submitting an IELTS score. However, applicant's medium of instruction should be in English throughout the study period. Plus the applicants will have to show that their exam scores in English at all levels of study to satisfy the admission requirements at the Australian university. The admission requirements and conditions may vary per university and course of admission.
- Those applicants who complete their senior secondary from the list of recognized countries and the medium of study is English.
- Indian students applying can get an exemption from IELTS if they can present their AISSCE certificate issued by CBSE. State Board students from West Bengal, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat with 65% or above.
- Undergraduate and/or postgraduate students who have graduated from a recognized university or institution, where the medium of instruction was English, are also exempted from submitting IELTS scores.
- Students who have pursued a minimum of 1 year part-time or full-time after secondary education from a recognized institution can also be exempted.
- Also, those students who have evidence of English skills honed in a paid or a part-time professional setting, with a minimum of 3 years, are also exempted from submitting IELTS scores.
- A lot of Indian students have this question in mind - if they need to appear for IELTS for Australia, or if CBSE is valid for an exemption, the answer to this question is no, there is no exemption for Indian students from submitting an IELTS score even if their higher education was from CBSE.
Australian Universities That May Waive IELTS
Here are 8 Australian universities known to accept applications without mandatory IELTS submission under the conditions above:
- UNSW
- University of Adelaide
- University of Queensland
- University of Southern Queensland
- Macquarie University
- University of South Australia
- Swinburne University of Technology
- Bond University
Most universities in Australia would require a candidate from India to appear for an English Language test. A lot of universities/schools also have waived off their English proficiency test, but this is entirely judged on a case-by-case basis, and the candidate is required to check the same with the university admission people. A lot of times, the English proficiency test is waived for applicants who have earlier completed their education in the English language.
For instance, Bond University and the Swinburne University of Technology also accept other ELP scores like CAE or PTE or waive them off entirely, depending on the case. But then again, applications for the same would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
*Note: TOEFL is not an alternative in place of IELTS or PTE in Australian Universities. Thus, it should not be considered a primary option in place of IELTS or PTE.
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What About Work Visas in Australia?
Even if you not have IELTS scores, you maybe need to give IELTS test for get a work visa in Australia. One main thing for getting Australia work visa is showing your IELTS score when you want to register for job there.
Now people think which one is needed, IELTS General or IELTS Academic for work visa. The right one is IELTS Academic test. You must get at least IELTS band score 6.0. This score is accepted by Australian Immigration Department for visa process.
Documents Required to Study in Australia without IELTS
The following documents will be required by Australian immigration if the applicants are applying without IELTS scores to Australian universities:
- Transcripts or mark sheets of the previous educational institution attended.
- Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE), is the official proof that the applicant has been accepted by the Australian university.
- Proof of funds
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Also, submit a document that proves that the applicant has either been exempted from submitting the IELTS score or submitted an ELP exam score of either TOEFL or PTE in place of IELTS.
Australia, among other nations, has taken advantage of this political unrest, and globally, Australia has become one of the top study-abroad destinations among Indian and international students. The Australian government in a bid to welcome more foreign students to its shores, has also introduced student-friendly measures such as part-time work options and even post-study work permits, and the presence of a thriving job sector for candidates who successfully graduate from Australian universities.
Check out: Difference between IELTS Academic vs. IELTS General Tests
In case the international applicants cannot study in Australia without IELTS exam then they have the following alternatives to this problem:
- Apply for admission and pursue a pathway program.
- Submit scores of alternative test score like PTE or TOEFL or Duolingo if admission requirements permit.
- Request for exemption from the university for submission of IELTS exam scores by submitting addition language proficiency level.
- Applicants can also submit proof of language proficiency by submitting academic documents and that the medium of instruction was English.
There can be other alternatives too, and they will vary per Australian university. Thus, applicants must check before they apply for admissions to Australian universities but without IELTS scores.
Yes, there are other equivalent ELP tests that can be accepted in place of IELTS exam and they are as follows:
- CPE, Certification of proficiency, or Certificate in Advanced English
- PTE score (Both individual & overall)
- They must complete their secondary studies in Australia
- TAFE SA course
- CELUSA Language course level-4
- Tertiary studies in Australia at least for 1-year, etc.
These submissions will be based on the proposed IELTS exam scores given for a particular course admission.
Yes, in majority of the cases Indian students who score 70-80% in their Board exams can be exempted from submitting an IELTS score. However, applicant's medium of instruction should be in English throughout the study period. Plus the applicants will have to show that their exam scores in English at all levels of study to satisfy the admission requirements at the Australian university. The admission requirements and conditions may vary per university and course of admission.
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
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S
3 years ago
R
3 years ago
In case the international applicants cannot study in Australia without IELTS exam then they have the following alternatives to this problem:
There can be other alternatives too, and they will vary per Australian university. Thus, applicants must check before they apply for admissions to Australian universities but without IELTS scores.