IELTS Score for Australia PR 2026: Points System, Immigration Bands & Visa Guide

Australia's skilled migration system uses a points-based test where your IELTS score directly translates into immigration points. Unlike Canada where language points are calculated through CLB levels, Australia awards 0, 10, or 20 points based on whether you achieve Competent, Proficient, or Superior English. The difference between scoring Band 6.0 each (0 English points) and Band 8.0 each (20 English points) can determine whether you meet the 65-point pass mark for PR visa subclasses 189 and 190. This guide covers the exact IELTS requirements for every Australian visa and immigration pathway, including the points-test breakdown, student visa requirements, and professional registration requirements for nursing and healthcare. All data is verified against homeaffairs.gov.au as of February 2026.

IELTS for Australia Immigration — Overview

Australia accepts both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training for immigration purposes, unlike Canada which requires GT only for PR. Your choice between Academic and GT depends on whether you are also applying for university admission (which requires Academic) or solely applying for skilled migration (where both are accepted). The Department of Home Affairs classifies English ability into four tiers: Functional, Competent, Proficient, and Superior. Each tier corresponds to specific IELTS bands and earns different points on the skilled migration points test.

The primary skilled migration visas are Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), which does not require state nomination or employer sponsorship, and Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated), which requires nomination by an Australian state or territory. Both use the same points test with a pass mark of 65 points (out of a maximum of approximately 130). Points are awarded for age (max 30), English (max 20), work experience (max 20), education (max 20), and various other factors. The two tests accepted for English are IELTS and PTE Academic (— see our IELTS vs PTE comparison). For French-related points in Canada, there is no equivalent in Australia.

Australia Points Test — How IELTS Scores Earn Points

The English language component of Australia's points test is straightforward but high-impact. Your IELTS score across all four sections determines which tier you fall into, and that tier determines your points. Crucially, all four skill scores must meet the threshold — even if three scores are at Band 8.0 but one is at Band 6.5, you earn Proficient (10 points) rather than Superior (20 points). Here is the complete breakdown:

The jump from Competent (0 points) to Proficient (10 points) is the most impactful improvement you can make. For a 30-year-old applicant with a bachelor's degree and 3 years of work experience, achieving Proficient English could be the difference between 60 points (below pass mark) and 70 points (above pass mark). Going from Proficient to Superior adds another 10 points, which is valuable but harder to achieve — Band 8.0 in every skill is extremely challenging, particularly in Writing. Our Band 7 to 8 guide covers the strategies needed for Superior.

Competent English (Band 6.0) — Minimum for PR

Competent English requires a minimum of 6.0 in each of the four IELTS skills. This is the minimum language requirement for most points-tested visas (189, 190, 491). At Competent level, you earn 0 English points on the points test. This means your total points must come entirely from other factors: age, education, work experience, Australian study, community language, partner skills, or state nomination. While it is possible to reach 65 points without English bonus points, it significantly narrows your margin and may require state nomination (Subclass 190, which adds 5 points) or regional visa pathways (Subclass 491).

Proficient English (Band 7.0) — 10 Extra Points

Proficient English requires 7.0 in each of the four IELTS skills and earns 10 points on the points test. This is the sweet spot for most Australia PR applicants — achievable with dedicated preparation and significantly impactful on your total score. For Indian students, the biggest challenge at Band 7.0 is typically Writing (where you must demonstrate coherent arguments with less common vocabulary) and Speaking (where fluency markers and pronunciation matter). Our trainers at EEC report that most students who score 6.0–6.5 can reach 7.0 within 6–8 weeks of focused preparation with proper feedback.

Note that some skills assessment authorities (like Engineers Australia or accounting bodies) also require Proficient English for skills assessment, independent of the points test. If you are an engineer, accountant, or IT professional, check your assessing authority's website for their specific language requirements, as they may accept alternative tests like PTE or specify a minimum IELTS score.

Superior English (Band 8.0) — 20 Extra Points

Superior English requires 8.0 in each of the four skills and earns the maximum 20 English points. Achieving 8.0 across all four sections is extremely challenging — only about 1–2% of all IELTS test-takers worldwide reach this level. The most difficult sections for Indian students at Band 8.0 are Writing and Speaking. In Writing, Band 8 requires “wide-ranging, flexible, and precise use of language” with only “occasional inaccuracies.” In Speaking, it requires effortless fluency with natural pacing, precise vocabulary, and very occasional errors. For strategies to reach this level, see our Band 7 to 8 expert guide.

Student Visa (Subclass 500) IELTS Requirements

The Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) requires a minimum IELTS score that varies by program level. For undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, most universities require IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall with no section below 5.5–6.0 (university-specific). For vocational education (VET/TAFE) programs, the minimum is typically IELTS 5.5 overall with no section below 5.0. For English language intensive courses (ELICOS), there is no minimum IELTS requirement from the Department of Home Affairs, though providers may set their own. Foundation programs typically require 5.0–5.5 overall.

If you plan to study in Australia and then apply for PR (the popular study-to-PR pathway), start with IELTS Academic for your university application and plan to take another IELTS (Academic or GT) targeting Proficient or Superior before applying for a skilled visa. Many EEC students follow this strategy: study in Australia on a Student Visa, gain work experience through the Subclass 485 Graduate Visa, and then apply for Subclass 189/190 with a higher IELTS score. Explore study in Australia options at EEC.

Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) Requirements

The Subclass 485 visa allows you to work in Australia after completing an Australian qualification. There are two streams: the Graduate Work stream (for qualifications related to occupations on the skilled occupation list) requires IELTS 6.0 in each skill (Competent), and the Post-Study Work stream (for bachelor's or higher) also requires 6.0 in each skill. This visa is typically valid for 2–4 years depending on your qualification level, giving you time to gain Australian work experience and improve your IELTS for a PR application.

IELTS for Australia Nursing & Health Professions

Australian health professional registration boards have among the highest IELTS requirements. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) requires IELTS Academic with a minimum of 7.0 in each of the four skills in a single sitting. Some nursing applicants qualify for a combined score pathway: minimum 7.0 overall with no section below 6.5, but this must be achieved in two test sittings within 6 months. For medical practitioners, the Medical Board of Australia requires 7.0 in each skill in a single sitting. Pharmacists need 7.5 in each skill (Speaking and Listening) and 7.0 (Reading and Writing).

EEC IELTS Coaching + FREE Australia PR Counseling

EEC provides targeted IELTS preparation for Australia-bound students and professionals. Whether you are targeting Proficient (7.0 each, 10 points) or Superior (8.0 each, 20 points), our trainers create a customized study plan based on your current level and timeline. For nursing and healthcare candidates, we offer specialized coaching targeting the 7.0-in-each-skill requirement with focused writing and speaking modules.

Every EEC branch includes FREE Australia immigration and study abroad counseling. Our counselors calculate your points score across all categories, identify the visa pathway with the highest chance of success, guide your skills assessment, and help with SkillSelect EOI submission. For the study-to-PR pathway, EEC manages your complete journey: university shortlisting, application processing, Student Visa, Graduate Visa, and ultimately PR application. Call +91 8758883889 or book a free consultation. Compare tests: IELTS vs PTE for Australia.

“I needed 7.0 in each skill for 10 PR points. After 2 months at EEC, I scored L: 8.0, R: 7.5, W: 7.0, S: 7.0. Those 10 English points pushed me above 65 and I got my 189 invitation within 3 months.”

— Darshan Patel, EEC Vadodara Student, Australia PR 2025

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