Study in Australia Without IELTS

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Samarpita Goswami
Updated on Mar 09, 2023 10:37 AM IST

IELTS is an English proficiency test that non-native speakers have to qualify to study in Australia. But here in this article, we will tell you how you can study without IELTS in Australia and the top universities that do not require IELTS.

Study in Australia Without IELTS

Quite simply, yes, you can study in Australia without IELTS. But, how?

While IELTS is often considered mandatory for admission to universities in Australia, there are exceptions to this general rule.A number of Australian universities have made IELTS optional for international students, allowing them to attempt other alternatives. This is particularly true for students who come from universities with English as the medium of instruction.

This article would cover significant aspects of how you can study in Australia without IELTS, IELTS alternatives in Australia and the list of Australian Universities that do not require IELTS.

Our experienced study abroad consultants have helped numerous Indian students to get into top universities abroad.

Unable to Decide an Australian University to Study Without IELTS?

Who Can Study in Australia Without IELTS?

The IELTS registration fee is INR 14,700 (as of May 2022) which is an added financial burden on students like you who already have lakhs to spend on their education overseas. Besides, if the IELTS scores are not satisfactory in the first attempt, then you might need to appear again for the examination.

There are several Australian universities that do not require IELTS scores, only for those who have:

  • Studied in a school where the medium of instruction was English,

  • Completed a few years of study in an English-speaking country,

  • Obtained a qualification from the listed equivalent tests and qualifications as specified by the university.

  • Completed the International Baccalaureate programme,

  • Some Australian universities have their own English language courses which the students can opt for. The students can finish the language course first and then start their degree courses, OR

  • Gained English proficiency gained through paid or voluntary work experience of a minimum of three years, in a primarily English-speaking work environment, before the start of the course in Australia.

In case you fulfil any of the above conditions, you can study in Australia without IELTS.

Interested to study abroad in other countries without IELTS? Check out these countries:

Study in UAE Without IELTS

Study in UK Without IELTS

Study in USA Without IELTS

Study in Ireland Without IELTS

Study in Germany Without IELTS

Study in NZ Without IELTS

Study in France Without IELTS

Study in Canada Without IELTS

IELTS Alternatives to Study in Australia

The Australian universities accept certain alternatives to IELTS for consideration of English language proficiency. The name and details of IELTS alternatives in Australia are:

IELTS Alternatives in Australia

Score Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

TOEFL (Test of English asForeign Language)

60-90

10+2 qualified; 16 years of age

PTE (Pearson Test of English)

50-64

16 years of age; parental consent for those below 18

CAE (Certificate in Advanced English)

169-176

Students in 10+1 or 10+2 can sit for the exam

CPE (Certificate Proficiency in English)

180-230

Students in 10+1 or 10+2 can sit for the exam

You can submit scores of any of the above proficiency tests to get study in Australia without IELTS. Apart from these, there are pathway programs for international students to study without IELTS in Australia. They have been explained in detail in the next section.

Pathway Programs to Study in Australia Without IELTS

Pathway programs are specially-designed educational courses that help the students smoothly transit to a university for a full-time degree. The pathway courses act as a bridge to fulfil the entry requirements of a particular course. They provide the necessary training to upgrade their skills.

Pathway programs in Australia make higher education more accessible for students. They prepare the students for the language requirements in Australian universities and help them to fit into the curriculum. This is an alternative pathway for students to study in Australia without IELTS.

Some of the examples of pathway programs to study in Australia without IELTS are:

  • The Academic English Program of the Centre of English Language at the University of South Australia.

  • Australian Catholic Universitys English Language Centre provides English for Academic Purpose Courses.

  • Academic English Pathway Programs of the English Language Centre at the University of Adelaide.

  • English for Academic Purpose at TAFE(Technical and Further Education).

Note: The pathway courses are charged separately and are not included in your course tuition fees.

Top Universities in Australia to Study Without IELTS

The students can apply to the following universities to study in Australia without IELTS. Let us also know the other criteria that you need to fulfil to study without IELTS in Australia. Here are the top universities in Australia to study without IELTS. Also, know the names of the pathway programs in the universities that will help you bridge the English knowledge gap.

Name of the University

IELTS Alternatives in Australia

Pathway Program

Australian National University

Score certificates of TOEFL/PTE/CAE

Local language proficiency certificate of your country

ANU Acess Program

University of Southern Queensland

English as a medium of instruction in school or college

USQ Pathway Program

Bond University

Score certificates of C1 Advanced and PTE

EAP Level 3(English for Academic Purposes)

University of South Australia

PTE/CPE/CAE scores

1 year of tertiary education in Australia or countries listed by the University

Centre for English Language [CELUSA] English Program: Level 4

University of Adelaide

TOEFL/PTE/CAE score cards

Language preparatory course

Macquarie University

CAE /CPE /PTE /OET Score certificates

English language preparation program

Victoria University

English as a medium of instruction in the institution last studied

UVic Pathway Program

The Swinburne University of Technology

PTE Academic score

English Language Course

University of New South Wales

CAE/ CPE/PTE Scores

Scores of English language tests of previous education

Reference from the employer if you have worked for more than two years in an English speaking environment

Pre-sessional English Language Program

Admission Process to Study in Australia without IELTS

Now that you know which universities in Australia do not require IELTS, you can start with the admission process. Broadly, the admission process to study in Australia without IELTS for international students involves the following steps:

Step 1: Find out the course of your choice and preferred university.

Step 2: Check out the eligibility criteria of the university.

Step 3: Apply through the application portal on the university website and submit the supporting documents.

Step 4: You will have to attend a video interview. You will need to demonstrate your English language proficiency to satisfy the interviewers.

Step 5: On getting the offer letter, you will have to pay the tuition fees.

All the above steps will ensure your admission to universities without IELTS scores in Australia.

Never let anything deter you from studying in Australia. The students must check the website of the respective universities and find out the entry requirements and English language proficiency requirements. Now that you know that you can study in Australia without IELTS, start your admission journey to Australia.

Can You Get Australia Student Visa Without IELTS?

International students willing to study in Australia have to apply for an Australian Student Visa. Students must enrol in a course at an Australian university and submit a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) which is a piece of evidence that the student is eligible to enrol and has accepted the offer.

Students are required to submit proof of their English language skills at the time of submission of visa application. But if the students can show that they have been admitted to the Australian institute which does not require IELTS then they can get approval for a visa. Students from some countries are exempted from submitting English language proficiency proof.

Ways to Apply for Australia PR Visa Without IELTS

You can now apply for Australia PR visa without IELTS. As Australia is an English-speaking country, it is mandatory that a non-native English speaker has English proficiency to get an Australia PR visa.

The Australian PR aspirants can take resort to IELTS alternatives for Australia PR visa.

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL),

  • Pearson Test of English(PTE),

  • Cambridge Advanced English Test(CAE)

  • Occupational English Test (OET)

How to Get Australia PR Visa Without English Proficiency Tests?

There are a few categories in which the students can apply for Australian PR without giving any of the English proficiency tests:

  • Family-Sponsored Visa Categories: This visa is applicable for those applicants who have sponsors who are permanent residents or citizens of Australia.

  • Dependent Children: If the applicant is under 18 years of age and is dependent on family members residing in Australia.

  • Spouse of the Primary Applicant: The spouse or partner of the primary applicant can apply for Australia PR visa without IELTS.

Other than the applicants from the above-mentioned categories have to qualify for IELTS or any other English language proficiency test to get Australian PR.

Get in touch with study abroad experts to study in Australia at abroad@collegedekho.com.

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