English language proficiency

Who has to provide proof of proficiency in English? What do institutions accept as proof of proficiency in English? Minimum English proficiency requirements table What if I believe that I can demonstrate my proficiency in English, but cannot find the test or qualification listed in the following table?
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English proficiency requirements table

Who has to provide proof of proficiency in English?

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.

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.

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?

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Minimum English proficiency requirements table

In the English language proficiency 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.

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.

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 English Proficiency requirements table

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 the Gold Coast by: Gold Coast Institute of TAFE, call (07) 5581 8340 or visit www.goldcoast.tafe.qld.gov.au.

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What if I believe that I can demonstrate my proficiency in English, but cannot find the test or qualification listed 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.

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