Australia is a popular destination for people who want to study and work, thanks to its lively culture, striking landscapes and strong economy. To be granted a Student visa (Subclass 500), you must show that your English meets the level set by the Department of Home Affairs.
Because English is the main language of instruction and daily life in Australia, you need to demonstrate that you can study, work and communicate in it, from following a lecture to talking with colleagues at work.
- The Subclass 500 student visa requires an IELTS average band score of 6.0 under instrument LIN 25/090, which commenced on 7 August 2025
- The base student visa application charge rose to AUD 2,500 for applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026
- A single applicant must show living costs of AUD 29,710 a year
- The Genuine Student requirement replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant test on 23 March 2024, and the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) needs IELTS 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.
What IELTS Score Is Required for the Australia Student Visa?
The Subclass 500 student visa requires an IELTS Academic or General Training average band score of 6.0 under instrument LIN 25/090, which commenced on 7 August 2025. Packaging at least 10 weeks of ELICOS, a foundation program or an eligible pathway program lowers the requirement to 5.5, and 20 weeks of ELICOS lowers it to 5.0.
The visa requirement is expressed as an average band score, not as a minimum in each of the four components. That is the floor for the visa only. Your university sets its own, usually higher, entry requirement, and you must meet both.
| Test (2026) | Principal Course Only | With 10 Plus Weeks ELICOS, Foundation or Pathway | With 20 Plus Weeks ELICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 average band score | 5.5 average band score | 5.0 average band score |
| IELTS General Training | 6.0 average band score | 5.5 average band score | 5.0 average band score |
| PTE Academic | 47 overall | 39 overall | 31 overall |
| TOEFL iBT | 67 total | 51 total | 37 total |
Nine tests are accepted for the Subclass 500 visa: Cambridge C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, LANGUAGECERT Academic, the Michigan English Test, OET, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT. C1 Advanced is not accepted for the ELICOS, foundation or pathway concessions.
Separately from the student visa, Australian migration law grades English into four levels that matter later if you apply for skilled or work visas. The thresholds below are the IELTS score needed in every component.
| Migration English Level (2026) | IELTS Score Required in Each Component | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Vocational English | 5.0 | Some temporary work and training visas |
| Competent English | 6.0 | Baseline for skilled migration eligibility |
| Proficient English | 7.0 | Attracts additional points in the skilled points test |
| Superior English | 8.0 | Highest English band in the skilled points test |
Documents Required for the Australia Student Visa
When applying for an Australian student visa, you will typically need:
- Your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a registered provider.
- A valid passport with sufficient remaining validity.
- Payment of the visa application charge.
- Your Genuine Student responses, which replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant statement.
- Academic transcripts and evidence of work experience where relevant.
- Evidence of English proficiency, such as an IELTS test report form.
- Proof of financial capacity covering tuition, living costs and travel.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy details.
- Health examination results and a police certificate if requested.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Parental or guardian consent documents if you are under 18.
What Is the IELTS Requirement at Top Australian Universities?
Universities set a higher bar than the visa. Sydney, UNSW, Queensland, Western Australia and Adelaide all publish a standard requirement of 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework. UNSW asks 7.0 overall for Business and Law, and selected teaching, nursing and medicine programmes require 7.0 or higher.
The figures below are taken from each university's own published English language requirements. Individual courses can sit above the university standard, so always check the course page before booking your test.
| University (2026) | Standard IELTS Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| University of Sydney | 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0 | Standard benchmark for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework |
| UNSW Sydney | 6.5 overall, minimum 6.0 in each subtest | Business and Law require 7.0 overall; Medicine and Education higher |
| University of Queensland | 6.5 overall, minimum 6.0 in each sub-band | Test must be taken within 2 years of commencing study |
| University of Western Australia | 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0 | Higher standard of 7.0 overall, no band below 6.5, for some courses |
| Adelaide University | 6.5 overall, minimum 6.0 in each sub-band | Same standard applies to AQF7 undergraduate and postgraduate coursework |
If your score falls short of the university requirement but meets the visa floor, most providers will offer a packaged ELICOS or foundation option that bridges the gap before your main course begins.
How to get an Australia education visaRead →What Are the Other Australian Student Visa Requirements?
Besides English, you need a Confirmation of Enrolment, Genuine Student responses that replaced the Genuine Temporary Entrant test on 23 March 2024, Overseas Student Health Cover, and proof of funds covering living costs of AUD 29,710 a year. Health examinations, police certificates and character checks may also be requested.
Genuine Student requirement: for applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024, the 300-word Genuine Temporary Entrant statement was replaced by a set of targeted questions. You explain your current circumstances, why you chose this course and provider, how the qualification will benefit you, and any previous study in Australia.
Financial requirements: you must show you can meet tuition, travel and living costs. The living cost benchmark for a single student is AUD 29,710 for 12 months, with AUD 10,394 for a spouse or de facto partner and AUD 4,449 for each dependent child.
Health, character and work rights: you may be asked to complete a medical or radiological examination with an approved panel physician, and to provide a police certificate. Once your course is in session you can work up to 48 hours a fortnight, while Masters by Research and Doctoral students have no work hour limit.
Cost of studying and living in AustraliaRead →What Is the Australian Student Visa Fee Structure in 2026?
The Subclass 500 base application charge rose from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500 for applications lodged on or after 1 July 2026. Applicants from ASEAN and Pacific nations, Timor-Leste, and independent ELICOS or non-award students continue paying the earlier rate plus an annual Consumer Price Index adjustment.
The visa application charge is only part of the total. You should also budget for health cover, a health examination if one is required, biometrics collection and a police certificate. Those costs vary by provider and by country of application.
| Visa Charge (2026) | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa (Subclass 500) base application charge | AUD 2,500 | From 1 July 2026, increased from AUD 2,000 |
| Concessional applicants (ASEAN, Pacific, Timor-Leste, independent ELICOS and non-award) | Earlier rate plus annual CPI adjustment | Concession retained when the charge rose on 1 July 2026 |
| Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) | AUD 5,750 | From 1 July 2026, increased from AUD 4,600 |
| Health cover, medical examination, biometrics and police certificate | Varies | Depends on the OSHC provider, panel physician and country of application |
How Can I Improve My IELTS Score for the Australia Student Visa?
Start preparing at least three months ahead and aim at the level you actually need: an average band score of 6.0 for the visa, or 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for most universities. Use timed practice tests, build vocabulary daily, speak English regularly, and target your weakest component.
The following techniques help applicants who want to lift their band score:
- Begin studying at least three months before your test date and build a plan that covers reading, writing, listening and speaking separately.
- Expand your vocabulary every day and practise using new words in full sentences rather than memorising word lists.
- Read English newspapers, journals and novels, and speak English as often as you can to build fluency.
- Learn the exam format and question patterns so that nothing on test day is unfamiliar.
- Sit full-length timed practice tests to find your weakest section, then focus your revision there.
- Work on time management, since each section must be completed within a fixed window.
- Check whether IELTS One Skill Retake is offered at your test centre, which lets you resit a single component.
- Consider a qualified IELTS tutor if your writing or speaking score is not improving on its own.