What IELTS score do you need for Adelaide University (formerly the University of Adelaide and UniSA)?

Adelaide University's English language proficiency page equates IELTS 6.0 to PTE 60, TOEFL iBT 60 and Cambridge 169; 6.5 to PTE 64, TOEFL 79 and Cambridge 176; and 7.0 to PTE 72, TOEFL 94 and Cambridge 185. For band scores, a 6.0 band equals PTE 60 and TOEFL speaking 18, reading 13, listening 12 and writing 21; a 6.5 band equals PTE 64.

Nursing and midwifery (Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Midwifery and the graduate-entry masters) use their own table: IELTS 7.0 with 7.0 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing, PTE 66 with 76 in speaking, TOEFL iBT 94 or Cambridge 185, from a test taken in the 12 months before the program starts. Two sittings within 12 months can be combined under set conditions. The Bachelor of Nursing degree page itself lists 7.0 in every band from a test taken within the last year, so check the page for your intake.

Research degrees need 6.5 with 6.0 in each band, or 7.0 with 6.5 in each for language-rich disciplines such as education. For research degrees only TOEFL iBT for Australia (0–120) at a registered centre is accepted; the 1–6 format is not currently accepted.

Accepted tests are IELTS Academic (including One Skill Retake and IELTS UKVI Academic), PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency, and OET for health programs only. Only tests taken at an official test centre count, so at-home versions are out. Duolingo is not on the list.

Results are generally valid for two years before the date you start, and some degrees require a shorter period. If you fall short, Adelaide University's English Language Centre offers packaged ELICOS programs. It does not package programs with CELUSA (the University of South Australia's English centre) but does accept CELUSA results.

Requirements vary by course, and Adelaide University 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.