- Skilled Migrant
- IELTS 6.5
- Partner / child
- IELTS 5
- University entry
- 6.0 UG · 6.5 PG
- Fee (IDP Auckland)
- NZD 490
Skilled Migrant Category: the English minimum
| Test | Skilled Migrant principal applicant | Partner or dependent child |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (General Training or Academic) | 6.5 overall | 5 overall |
| PTE Academic | 58 overall | 36 overall |
| TOEFL iBT | 79 overall | 35 overall |
| B2 First / B2 First for Schools | 176 overall | 154 overall |
| OET | C+ in all four skills | C in all four skills |
Immigration New Zealand sets these minimums for skilled residence visas, including the Skilled Migrant Category. The result must be no more than two years old when you apply, and the test must be sat in person at a test centre: remote tests are not accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake is on INZ's approved list. An English test is one route; citizenship or a qualification at level 7 or above completed in English can also meet the requirement.
Student visa: the provider assesses your English
For the Fee Paying Student Visa (from NZD 850), INZ does not publish a test band. Your offer of place must include a declaration from the education provider that it has assessed your English and academic capability to pass the course. INZ says test results are not mandatory for the visa but can help show you genuinely intend to study.
University minimums
| University (own admissions page) | Undergraduate | Postgraduate |
|---|---|---|
| University of Auckland | IELTS Academic 6.0, no band below 5.5 | 6.5, no band below 6.0 |
| Victoria University of Wellington | 6.0, no band below 5.5 | 6.5, no band below 6.0 |
Both universities say these are standard minimums and some programmes ask more; Auckland lists each programme's IELTS requirement on its programme page. Auckland accepts IELTS One Skill Retake and counts results for two years from the certificate date to the start of study.
IELTS fees in New Zealand
IDP runs IELTS in New Zealand and lists about 20 test locations across New Zealand and the Pacific. At IDP Auckland, IELTS on computer (Academic or General Training) was NZD 490 for every session listed on 30 September 2026, with results in one to five days.
BandLadder pricing in NZD for New Zealand
BandLadder in NZD
One-time access, no automatic renewal. Free practice needs no card. Prices are shown in your currency at checkout as well.
| Plan | Access | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint Pass | 7 days | NZD 11.99 |
| Quick Pass | 15 days | NZD 19.99 |
| Boost | 30 days | NZD 34.99 |
| Professional | 60 days | NZD 59.00 |
| Professional | 90 days | NZD 79.00 |
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Practice IELTS Academic →Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score do I need for New Zealand PR (Skilled Migrant)?+
6.5 overall in IELTS General Training or Academic for the principal applicant, and 5 overall for a partner or dependent child. The result must be under two years old and from a test sat in person.
What IELTS score is required for a New Zealand student visa?+
INZ sets no band. Your education provider declares that it has assessed your English. Universities set their own: Auckland and Victoria ask 6.0 (no band below 5.5) for undergraduate study and 6.5 (no band below 6.0) for postgraduate.
Does New Zealand accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 58 overall meets the Skilled Migrant minimum, and Auckland and Victoria accept PTE Academic 50 for undergraduate and 58 for postgraduate study.
IELTS or PTE for New Zealand?+
Both are accepted for the Skilled Migrant Category and by both universities above. IELTS is NZD 490 at IDP Auckland and PTE is NZD 505, so the fee gap is small; pick the format you score better in on a timed mock.
How much is the IELTS fee in New Zealand?+
NZD 490 for IELTS on computer, Academic or General Training, at IDP Auckland on 30 September 2026.
Official sources
Reviewed 30 September 2026. This guide helps you plan test preparation; check the current rules for your own program.
- Immigration New Zealand: English requirements for skilled residence visas
- Immigration New Zealand: Fee Paying Student Visa
- University of Auckland: undergraduate English requirements
- University of Auckland: postgraduate English requirements
- Victoria University of Wellington: standard undergraduate English
- Victoria University of Wellington: standard postgraduate English
- IDP IELTS New Zealand: Auckland test centre sessions and fee
- Pearson: test centres and fees (price finder)
- PTE for New Zealand compared
- PTE to IELTS score converter
- IELTS band score calculator
- TOEFL to IELTS converter
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