What IELTS score do psychologists need in Australia?

Results can come from one sitting, or from a maximum of two sittings no more than 12 months apart. With two sittings, IELTS needs 7 overall in each sitting and no component below 6.5 in either; PTE needs 63 overall in each sitting and no skill below 53 (listening), 54 (reading), 60 (writing) or 66 (speaking). Results from different test providers cannot be combined.

IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted (no other test's retake is). It does not count as an extra sitting, but if you rely on two sittings plus a retake, all three must fall within 12 months. At-home and remotely proctored versions are not accepted, except the OET computer-based test taken at a test centre.

Tests taken on or before 22 April 2026 are judged on the older scores: IELTS was the same (7 overall, 7 in listening, reading and speaking, 6.5 in writing), PTE Academic was 66 overall with 66 in listening, reading and speaking and 56 in writing, OET was B with C+ in writing, and TOEFL iBT was 94. These are all from Ahpra's accepted tests page.

Results are valid for two years before the date you lodge your registration application. Older results can still count if, since the test, you have been continuously working as a registered health practitioner (or in another relevant health, disability or aged-care role) in a recognised country where English was the main language of practice, or continuously enrolled in a Board-approved programme that started within 12 months of the test, and you apply within 12 months of finishing.

You may not need a test at all. The standard has three education pathways: combined (at least two years of secondary school plus your professional qualification, all taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country), school (English is your main language and at least 10 years of primary and secondary school in English in a recognised country) and advanced (at least six years of full-time-equivalent education in English in a recognised country, including your qualification and degree-level study, finished no more than two years before you apply). Recognised countries include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the UK, the USA, Malta and a list of Caribbean and other territories.

Regulators change these rules, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current scores on the Ahpra page before you book a test.