What IELTS score do physiotherapists need in Australia?

Tests taken on or before 22 April 2026 are judged against Table 1 on the same Ahpra page. The IELTS Academic target was the same: 7 overall, 7 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing. The others were different: OET grade B in listening, reading and speaking and C+ in writing; PTE Academic 66 overall with 66 in listening, reading and speaking and 56 in writing; TOEFL iBT 94 total (24 listening, 24 reading, 24 writing, 23 speaking); Cambridge 185 overall with 176 in writing. If your first sitting was on or before 22 April 2026 and your second on or after 23 April 2026, the first must meet the old scores and the second the new ones.

Ahpra accepts results from one sitting, or from a maximum of two sittings no more than 12 months apart, if you were tested in all four skills each time and meet the floors in the table (Ahpra). For IELTS that means 7 overall in each sitting, 7 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing across the two, and no skill below 6.5 in either sitting. Results from different test providers cannot be combined. The IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted and is not counted as an extra sitting, but if you rely on two sittings plus a One Skill Retake, all three must fall within 12 months. At-home, indicative or remotely proctored versions are not accepted, except the OET computer-based test taken at a test centre.

Results are generally valid for two years before the date you lodge your registration application. Older results still count if, since the test, you have been continuously working (at least 26 weeks full-time equivalent a year) as a registered health practitioner, or in a relevant health, disability or aged-care role, in a recognised country where English was the main language of practice, or have been continuously enrolled in a Board-approved program of study that started within 12 months of the test, and you apply within 12 months of finishing. With two sittings, the clock starts at the earlier one. Ahpra also says that if you sat one of these tests for a skilled migration visa in the past two years and met the standard's scores, you can reuse those results (Ahpra).

The English language skills registration standard, in effect from 18 March 2025, gives four pathways. The test pathway is for anyone who cannot meet the others; Ahpra says it suits you if you have not completed any education in a recognised country. The combined education pathway needs at least two years of secondary education and your professional qualification, both taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country. The school education pathway needs English as your main language, at least 10 years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country, and a qualification taught and assessed solely in English. The advanced education pathway needs at least six years (full-time equivalent) of education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country, including your qualification and degree-level study, with the last period finished no more than two years before you apply.

The recognised countries are Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guernsey, Guyana, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Malta, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America and US Virgin Islands. The Board may also exempt some applicants for limited registration, for example to carry out research with limited or no patient contact, or postgraduate study or supervised practice.

Regulators change these rules, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current scores on the Ahpra page before you book a test. A timed BandLadder mock is a quick way to see whether your writing is near 6.5 before you pay for the real test.