Do I need to sit an English Language Test?

This is a FAQ BLOG and you can refer to our AHPRA blog here.

Need help understanding your pathway?

Date Updated: 2026-07-22

You will need to sit an English Language Test if you need to go through the Test Pathway.

To understand this, let’s discuss the registration standard first. You will need to meet this English Language Registration standard if you:

are applying for registration with a National Board in Australia for the first time, or
are applying for registration (including moving from non-practising to another registration type) and have not used English as your main language for a period greater than 5 years, or
hold limited registration on the basis that you were granted an exemption from this standard in the limited circumstances outlined under what are the possible exemptions to the standard? and are applying for another type of registration.

There are 4 pathways in meeting this standard, including the Test pathway. If you don’t meet the first 3 pathways, then you will need to sit an English Language Test. You can also check the English language skills pathway selection tool here to see which pathway is eligible for you.

Combined education pathway
- Successfully completed at least 2 years of secondary education solely in English in a recognised country
- Your qualifications were taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country.

School education pathway
- Successfully completed at least 10 years of your primary and secondary school education solely in English in a recognised country
- Your qualifications were taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country.

Advanced education pathway
- Successfully completed at least 6 years in total of FTE education all taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country which includes:
  - Your qualifications
  - Advanced education (tertiary) at a degree level (AQF level 7 or higher) which requires you to read, write, listen to and speak English
  - Note: A maximum of 2 years break while obtaining your qualifications and advanced education will be accepted, but the last period of education must have been completed no more than 2 years before applying for registration.

Test pathway – (This pathway is for you if you don’t meet the requirements of the options above)
- Successfully achieved the required minimum scores in one of the following English language tests and meet the requirements for test results:
  - Cambridge (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency)
    - C1:
      - Overall: 178
      - Listening: 175
      - Reading: 179
      - Writing: 180
      - Speaking: 194
    - C2:
      - Overall: 185
      - Listening: 185
      - Reading: 185
      - Writing: 176
      - Speaking: 185
  - International English Language Testing System (Academic) (IELTS)
    - Overall: 7
    - Listening: 7
    - Reading: 7
    - Writing: 6.5
    - Speaking: 7
  - Occupational English Test (OET)
    - Listening: 350
    - Reading: 360
    - Writing: 350
    - Speaking: 360
  - Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
    - Overall: 63
    - Listening: 58
    - Reading: 59
    - Writing: 60
    - Speaking: 76
  - Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT)
    - Important Note: Select ‘Taking TOEFL for Australia’ when registering for your test to ensure your TOEFL iBT Australia test result is valid for Australian registration purposes.
    - Overall: 91
    - Listening: 22
    - Reading: 22
    - Writing: 23
    - Speaking: 24
  - Other English language tests approved by the National Boards from time to time
- Notes:
  - AHPRA will only accept test results from:
    - One sitting, or
    - Two sittings within 12 months (if all requirements, including timing, test type, and minimum scores, are met)
  - The Medical Board of Australia also accepts completion of the NZREX or PLAB test.

We Can Help You

Here at People Medical Consulting, we have a passion for guiding medical practitioners through their career pathways to Australia. We have extensive experience in assisting medical facilities in recruiting doctors from local and overseas who will best suit their requirements.

We provide Document Assistance for those requiring support for their PESCI with IME, ACRRM or RACGP, registration and all other mandatory AHPRA requirements, fellowship program related forms and letters, application for Medicare provider and prescriber numbers, application for 19AB or 19AA exemptions and preparation of employment documents.

If you want to talk to someone about your pathway or practice management—book a consultation with us below, or if you need Recruitment or Document Assistance, contact us at help@peoplemedical.com.au or click the buttons below. We’d be glad to help you!

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Information from this blog has been taken directly from:

Date Updated: 2026-07-22

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