What IELTS score do you need for Holmes Institute?

The course pages agree with the policy for the Bachelor of Business (6.0, no band below 5.5), the Master of Business Administration (6.0, no band below 5.5) and the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) (7.0, no band below 6.5).

The Master of Professional Accounting and Master of Information Systems pages, however, list IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.5, while the policy says no band below 6.0. Plan for 6.5 in every band, or confirm with Holmes before you book a test. The Master of Cyber Security and Graduate Diploma in Business pages point only to the policy.

Holmes's approved tests are IELTS, PTE, TOEFL and Cambridge English, and it also runs its own Holmes English Placement Test. English for Academic Purposes or an academic English program from another provider may be considered, with the placement test used to check your level. Duolingo, IELTS One Skill Retake and online tests are not stated by Holmes, and neither is a validity period for test results.

If you meet the academic criteria but fall short on English by 0.5 of an IELTS band or more, Holmes may offer a place with an English for Academic Purposes course run by Oxford House College (OHC English). Its policy estimates 20–24 weeks from IELTS 5.0 (PTE 29–35) for undergraduate entry, or 24–30 weeks for postgraduate; 10–15 or 15–20 weeks from 5.5 (PTE 36–45); and 10–15 weeks from 6.0 for postgraduate entry.

Requirements vary by course, and Holmes can change them between intakes. Always confirm the score on your course page before you book a test. Your student visa has its own English rules, set by the Department of Home Affairs.

Your offer and your visa are assessed separately. If Home Affairs asks you for English evidence, the Student visa (subclass 500) page sets these minimums for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025: IELTS Academic 6.0, PTE Academic 47 or TOEFL iBT 67. With at least 10 weeks of ELICOS (or a Foundation or eligible Pathway program) packaged with your course they drop to 5.5, 39 and 51, and with at least 20 weeks of ELICOS to 5.0, 31 and 37.

The test must be taken within the 2 years before you lodge (Regular Evidence level), or within the 2 years before a decision if you are Streamlined Evidence level and asked for evidence. Tests delivered entirely online, such as IELTS Online and TOEFL iBT Home Edition, are not accepted for the visa, and from 21 January 2026 TOEFL candidates must select 'Taking TOEFL for Australia' when registering.