TAFE Queensland English scores by course
General levels are on TAFE Queensland's international English language requirements page; test equivalents and course rows are from its English Language Equivalencies table (version 9, updated 31 July 2026). Section minimums are reading/listening/speaking/writing.
| Course | Academic IELTS | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vocational (VET) courses | 6.0 (5.5 in each) | 50 (42) | 67 (15/15/19/18) |
| Associate Degree in Civil Engineering | 6.0 (5.5/5.5/5.5/6.0) | 50 (50/50/50/51) | 67 (15/15/18/19) |
| Master, Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security | 6.5 (6.0 in each) | 58 (58 in each) | 79 (19/20/20/24) |
| Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Dental Prosthetics, Diploma of Nursing (tests from 23 Apr 2026) | 7.0 (7.0/7.0/7.0/6.5) | 63 (59/58/76/60) | 91 (22/22/24/23) |
| Diploma of Mental Health | 6.0 (6.0 in each) | 50 (48/47/54/51) | 67 (16/16/19/19) |
Nursing scores before and after 23 April 2026
For the nursing and dental prosthetics rows, tests taken on or before 22 April 2026 need PTE 66 in reading, listening and speaking with 56 in writing, or TOEFL 94. Tests from 23 April 2026 need the PTE 63 profile in the table, with 76 in speaking. The IELTS score is 7.0 with 6.5 in writing either way, and OET and Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency are accepted at set grades.
The Diploma of Anaesthetic Technology and Practice asks 7.0 in every IELTS band, PTE 66 in every skill or TOEFL 94.
Free test: are you at TAFE Queensland's score yet?
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Validity, online tests and pathways
Test results are valid for 2 years from the test date and must be valid when your course starts, and TAFE Queensland verifies them with the issuing body. Only Academic IELTS is accepted, including IELTS One Skill Retake. Tests taken at home or online are not accepted, TOEFL must be the iBT Australia version, and Duolingo is not in the table.
Five years of study in English in the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland, or a passport from those countries with completed senior secondary, can meet the requirement for most courses. If you fall short, TAFE Queensland can place you in one of its English courses first.
Requirements vary by course, and TAFE Queensland 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.
Student visa (subclass 500) English rules
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.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where TAFE Queensland publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What PTE score does TAFE Queensland need?+
PTE Academic 50 with no skill below 42 for most vocational courses, 58 with 58 in each skill for the cyber security postgraduate courses, and 63 with set skill scores for nursing tests from 23 April 2026.
What IELTS do I need for the TAFE Queensland Bachelor of Nursing?+
Academic IELTS 7.0 with 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking and 6.5 in writing.
Does TAFE Queensland accept IELTS One Skill Retake?+
Yes. The table says Academic IELTS only, including IELTS One Skill Retake.
Does TAFE Queensland accept Duolingo?+
No. It accepts only the tests in its equivalencies table, and Duolingo is not one of them.
How long is IELTS valid for TAFE Queensland?+
Two years from the test date, and it must still be valid when your course starts.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for Australia: scores by university and visa
- IELTS for the Student visa 500
- IELTS One Skill Retake explained
- TAFE NSW IELTS requirement
- All 1288 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 13 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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