Australia Removes TOEFL iBT from Visa Eligibility

In a recent development, the Australian government has made an official announcement regarding English language tests for visa purposes. As of July 26, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT will no longer be considered for Australian visa applications until further notice.

Prior to this change, the TOEFL iBT score was accepted as a valid proof of English proficiency. However, the government has decided to exclude it from the list of accepted tests for visa requirements. This decision came as the TOEFL iBT was undergoing enhancements worldwide, aiming to improve the test taker experience by reducing test time and streamlining registration procedures. Despite these improvements, the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has opted to suspend its acceptance of TOEFL iBT scores.

At present, applicants seeking an Australian visa must submit scores from other accepted tests conducted at secure test centers. These include the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Pearson Test of English (PTE), Cambridge English (CAE), and the Occupational English Test (OET) for health professionals. Notably, IELTS results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) will be accepted for visa purposes, except for specific subclasses that require scores from a single sitting.

As the Australian government aims to uphold high standards for English proficiency measures, the exclusion of TOEFL iBT underscores the significance of the approved alternative tests in assessing language abilities of visa applicants.