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English language proficiency

Demonstration of proficiency in the English language

If you have undertaken your studies in an overseas country, you may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. If you have to provide proof of English proficiency and fail to do so, you will not be considered at all for the course/s to which you have applied, so read the following carefully.

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You must provide proof of proficiency in English

If you have undertaken all of your qualifications in a country other than:
American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland), United States of America or Zambia.

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You DO NOT have to provide proof of proficiency in English

If you were born in:
American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland), United States of America or Zambia
AND have at least one qualification from one of the countries listed
AND the language in which you undertook the qualification was English.

or if you were not born in:

American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland), United States of America or Zambia
BUT you have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time university study in one of these countries
AND the language in which you undertook this qualification was English.

Being born in Australia or one of the countries listed does not automatically pass you for English proficiency. You must also have at least one assessable qualification from one of the countries listed.
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What do institutions accept as proof of proficiency in English?

    Qualifications from the above-listed countries that may be accepted by institutions as satisfying English proficiency include:
  • senior secondary studies, comparable with the NSW HSC
  • tertiary studies, including associate diploma, diploma, advanced diploma, Bachelor degree and postgraduate studies
  • completed AQF diploma and advanced diploma
  • other post-secondary studies, including certificate and advanced certificate
  • tertiary preparation courses including NSW TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC)
  • Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
  • studies undertaken through professional organisations, including hospital-based training and armed forces training.

Minimum English Proficiency Requirements Table

On Table 5 – Minimum English proficiency requirements table, institutions have stated the tests and qualifications they accept as proof of proficiency in English. Read these requirements carefully.

If you do not have the required test or qualification, then you can attempt one of the following tests. If you need to sit one of the tests, submit your UAC application and include details of your proposed test. Provide UAC with a verified copy of your results as soon as you receive them.

Combined Universities Language Test (CULT)

The CULT is no longer administered. Results from a previous sitting of CULT may be considered as proof of proficiency in English - check Table 5 - Minimun English Proficiency requirements.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Academic Version

The cost to sit IELTS is $280, plus 10% GST if applicable - check with the testing centre for further details.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) IELTS test centres
Administered in Canberra by: The University of Canberra English Language Institute (UCELI), University of Canberra, call (02) 6201 2669 or visit www.canberra.edu.au/uceli/ielts.

New South Wales (NSW) IELTS test centres
Administered in Armidale by: UNE English Language Centre, University of New England, call (02) 6773 3388 or visit www.une.edu.au/elc/ielts/.

Administered in Newcastle by: The Language Centre, University of Newcastle, call (02) 4921 7183 or visit www.newcastle.edu.au/centre/elfsc/lc/.

Administered in Wollongong by: Wollongong College Australia, University of Wollongong, call (02) 4252 8803 or visit www.wca.uow.edu.au.

Queensland IELTS test centres
Administered in Brisbane by:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Administered in Sydney by: Thomson Prometric, call (02) 9640 5899

UAC's TOEFL Designated Institution code is 8619. If you want your results to be sent directly to UAC, enter this code on your answer sheets when you sit for the TOEFL examination or on the Score Report Request Forms for tests previously taken.
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What if I believe that I can demonstrate my proficiency in English, but cannot find the test or qualification listed above or in the table?

If you believe that you can demonstrate your proficiency in English but cannot supply proof, you must contact the Admissions Office at each institution to which you are applying.

DO NOT send this information to UAC. UAC cannot make decisions about English proficiency on behalf of institutions.

You must write to the Admissions Office at each institution to which you are applying and include supporting documentation so that the institutions can determine whether the test or qualification is acceptable. The institution will make a decision and will record that decision against your application.

Follow this link to view the table 5 – Minimum English proficiency requirements table.

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