English language proficiency requirements
We want you to be able to study successfully in Australia. That's why our courses have a minimum English language proficiency entry requirement.
You must meet specific English language proficiency requirements to study at Federation. To demonstrate this, you'll need to provide:
- approved English language test results
or - non-test evidence, such as
- successful completion of an approved English for Academic Purposes (EAP) pathway course
- prior study within the last two years at a recognised institution.
English language test results
Your English test results must be valid when you start your course at Federation University. If you defer your first semester, your test results must still be valid when your course commences. If results indicate you need some extra English support, you may be able to do the English for Academic Purposes course packaged with your main course.
Check for approved English test results based on whether you completed your test before or after 23 April 2026.
On or before 22 April 2026
| Academic IELTS | TOEFL iBT* | Pearson (PTE) | Cambridge-CAE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall 7.5 (no less than 8.0 in Listening & Speaking, no less than 7.0 in Reading & Writing) |
106 with minimums: Reading 24 Listening 28 Speaking 26 Writing 27 |
Overall 73 (no less than 81 in Listening & Speaking, no less than 65 in Reading & Writing) |
Overall 191 (no less than 200 in Listening & Speaking, no less than 185 in Reading & Writing) |
| Overall 7.5 (no band less than 7.0) |
106 with minimums: Reading 24 Listening 24 Speaking 23 Writing 27 |
Overall 73 (no band less than 65) |
Overall 191 (no band less than 185) |
| Overall 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) |
100 with minimums: Reading 24 Listening 24 Speaking 23 Writing 27 |
Overall 65 (no band less than 65) |
Overall 185 (no band less than 185) |
| Overall 7.0 (no band less than 6.5) |
100 with minimums: Reading 19 Listening 20 Speaking 20 Writing 24 |
Overall 65 (no band less than 58) |
Overall 185 (no band less than 176) |
| Overall 6.5 (no band less than 6.5) |
79–93 with minimums: Reading 18 Listening 18 Speaking 20 Writing 24 |
Overall 58 (no band less than 58) |
Overall 176 (no band less than 176) |
| Overall 6.5 (no band less than 6.0) |
79–93 with minimums: Reading 13 Listening 12 Speaking 18 Writing 21 |
Overall 58 (no band less than 50) |
Overall 176 (no band less than 169) |
| Overall 6.0 (no band less than 6.0) |
60–78 with minimums: Reading 13 Listening 12 Speaking 18 Writing 21 |
Overall 50 (no band less than 50) |
Overall 169 (no band less than 169) |
| Overall 6.0 (no band less than 5.5) |
60–78 with minimums: Reading 8 Listening 7 Speaking 16 Writing 18 |
Overall 50 (no band less than 42) |
Overall 169 (no band less than 162) |
| Overall 5.5 (no band less than 5.5) |
46–49 with minimums: Reading 8 Listening 7 Speaking 16 Writing 18 |
Overall 42 (no band less than 42) |
Overall 162 (no band less than 162) |
| Overall 5.5 (no band less than 5.0) |
46–59 with minimums: Reading 4 Listening 4 Speaking 14 Writing 14 |
Overall 42 (no band less than 36) |
Overall 162 (no band less than 154) |
| Overall 5.0 (no band less than 5.0) |
35–45 with minimums: Reading 4 Listening 4 Speaking 14 Writing 14 |
Overall 36 (no band less than 36) |
Overall 154 (no band less than 154) |
*TOEFL iBT: the Australian Department of Home Affairs has recently reviewed the TOEFL iBT test. Tests taken in between July 26, 2023 and May 4, 2024 will not be recognised for relevant visa sub-classes to Australia (including student visas).
Please note:
- Courses that have higher English language requirements may be excluded from using previous study to demonstrate English. Please see the explicit English language requirements (listed on individual course details pages) to verify. A final assessment will be made on receipt of full supporting documentation.
- We also accept Occupational English Test (OET) results with 'B' in all bands, but ONLY for entry into nursing courses.
- Where you have results from more than one of the above-listed English language tests, we'll only consider your most recent results to determine admission.
- We accept One Skill Retake for IELTS taken within 60 days of the original test (noting where it is accepted by accrediting bodies for courses with professional registration). (Accepted by APHRA for Bachelor of Nursing)
- We reserve the right to require applicants to take an English language test.
- Inbound study abroad / exchange applicants, or those applying to study single units, must meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements for each unit in their proposed course, as per the course entry requirements.
- A course with multiple location offerings will have the same English language requirements regardless of where and how it is delivered.
- We don't accept evidence from any English language test that's delivered completely online. These are also known as remote-proctored or at-home tests.
- We don't accept tests not listed above (e.g. IELTS UKVI, CELPIP).
On or after 23 April 2026
| Academic IELTS | TOEFL iBT* | Pearson (PTE) | Cambridge-CAE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.0 in all brands |
Listening 26 |
Listening 69 Reading 70 Writing 85 Speaking 88 |
Listening 186 Reading 190 Writing 210 Speaking 280 |
|
7.5 for Speaking and Listening |
Listening 24 Reading 19 Writing 22 Speaking 26 |
Listening 63 Reading 53 Writing 60 Speaking 82 |
Listening 180 Reading 171 Writing 180 Speaking 201 |
| 7.0 in all bands | Listening 22 Reading 22 Writing 26 Speaking 24 |
Listening 58 Reading 59 Writing 69 Speaking 76 |
Listening 175 Reading 179 Writing 193 Speaking 194 |
| 7.0 with Writing of 6.5 (Bachelor of Nursing) |
Listening 22 Reading 22 Writing 23 Speaking 24 |
Listening 58 Reading 59 Writing 60 Speaking 76 |
Listening 175 Reading 179 Writing 180 Speaking 194 |
| 6.5 in all bands | Listening 19 Reading 19 Writing 22 Speaking 21 |
Listening 52 Reading 53 Writing 60 Speaking 65 |
Listening 169 Reading 171 Writing 180 Speaking 186 |
| 6.0 in all bands | Listening 16 Reading 16 Writing 19 Speaking 19 |
Listening 47 Reading 48 Writing 51 Speaking 54 |
Listening 163 Reading 163 Writing 170 Speaking 179 |
| 5.5 in all bands | Listening 12 Reading 12 Writing 14 Speaking 16 |
Listening 40 Reading 42 Writing 40 Speaking 39 |
No CAE for IELTS 5.5 |
| 5.0 in all bands | Listening 8 Reading 8 Writing 9 Speaking 14 |
Listening 33 Reading 36 Writing 29 Speaking 24 |
No CAE for IELTS 5.0 |
*To ensure your TOEFL iBT result is valid for Australian visa purposes, you must select ‘Taking TOEFL for Australia’ when registering for your test. Results not registered under this pathway are not eligible for Australian visa purposes.
OET (Occupational English test) for Bachelor of Nursing course only:
- Listening 350
- Reading 360
- Writing 350
- Speaking 360
Please note:
- Courses that have higher English language requirements may be excluded from using previous study to demonstrate English. Please see the explicit English language requirements (listed on individual course details pages) to verify. A final assessment will be made on receipt of full supporting documentation.
- We also accept Occupational English Test (OET) results with 'B' in all bands, but ONLY for entry into nursing courses.
- Where you have results from more than one of the above-listed English language tests, we'll only consider your most recent results to determine admission.
- We accept One Skill Retake for IELTS taken within 60 days of the original test (noting where it is accepted by accrediting bodies for courses with professional registration). (Accepted by APHRA for Bachelor of Nursing)
- We reserve the right to require applicants to take an English language test.
- Inbound study abroad / exchange applicants, or those applying to study single units, must meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements for each unit in their proposed course, as per the course entry requirements.
- A course with multiple location offerings will have the same English language requirements regardless of where and how it is delivered.
- We don't accept evidence from any English language test that's delivered completely online. These are also known as remote-proctored or at-home tests.
- We don't accept tests not listed above (e.g. IELTS UKVI, CELPIP).
Non-test evidence
Your prior studies must have taken place in Australia or a recognised English-speaking country (Canada (excluding Quebec), New Zealand, United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland) or United States of America).
| English proficiency | Study type and duration |
|---|---|
|
Competent (IELTS 6.0 and IELTS 6.5) |
Completion of at least two years of senior secondary or one year of full-time tertiary study. |
|
Proficient (IELTS 7.0) and Superior (IELTS 8.0) |
Completion of a minimum of five years of education with at least two years of full-time tertiary study. |
Evidence required
You must be able to show proof of citizenship/residency and proof of studies, such as:
- results from senior high school qualification indicating English results that meet the course requirements
- an Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) accredited diploma or higher award (or equivalent).
If your studies were completed more than two years before your application date, you must provide evidence of current employment (to demonstrate that your primary language at work is English).
Alternative evidence
If you present alternative evidence to show that you meet the English language proficiency requirements, you'll need the approval of the Senior Manager, Admissions and Scholarships.
Professional accreditation
If you qualify for a Federation University course and intend to gain professional registration to become a practitioner in Australia, you may need to meet the relevant professional accrediting agency’s English language proficiency at the time of registration.
English language proficiency for visa purposes
Even if you satisfy our English language proficiency requirements, you may still need to meet additional English requirements to get your student visa. See the Department of Home Affairs website for more details.
Pathways to study
If you don't meet the English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to study English for Academic Purposes to improve your English skills.