Australia to No Longer Accept TOEFL iBT Scores for Visa Purposes

The Australian Department of Home Affairs recently announced that TOEFL iBT will be temporarily unacceptable for visa purposes, starting from July 26, 2023, until further intimation. TOEFL, or the Test of English as a Foreign Language is a standardized English proficiency test accepted by most of the recognized Australian universities and Australian education providers for the admission purpose.

Before we delve deeper into this critical decision made by the Australian government, it is essential to note that the scores of the TOEFL exam before July 26, 2023, will be considered valid for visa purposes.

So, read on to learn about this latest development in detail and its implications on the students aspiring to build their careers in Australia.

What is TOEFL iBT?

Most of you aspiring to study abroad might already be aware of what TOEFL iBT is. Nonetheless, before proceeding ahead with this discussion, let us skim through the key aspects of this popular English proficiency test.

TOEFL iBT stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-based Test. It is a standardized test administered online to analyze the English proficiency of non-native speakers. The test is meticulously designed by the experts to measure the ability to read, write, speak, and listen in English. TOEFL iBT allows test-takers to take the exam online at the approved test centers, enabling faster score reporting. 

TOEFL iBT scores are widely accepted by universities, institutions, and even employers around the world as a reliable indicator of an individual’s English language skills. The test is crucial for students aiming to seek admission to foreign institutions where English is the primary language for teaching and communication. The test is also important for professionals wanting to pursue further opportunities in English-speaking countries or places where English is the primary business language.

Why isn’t Australia accepting TOEFL scores for visa applications?

The decision of revoking TOEFL scores for visa applications in Australia has left the study-abroad aspirants perplexed about the further course of action.

The decision is an outcome of revisions being made to the existing version of TOEFL iBT by ETS (Educational Testing Service), the organization that conducts the GRE and TOEFL. The new version of TOEFL iBT aims to make the registration and test-taking process smoother and more reliable. At the same time, the exam duration for the new version of the TOEFL is reduced to less than two hours which earlier took almost three hours to complete. 

As reported, ETS has submitted the upgraded test to DHA (Australia’s Department of Home Affairs) for review. The submission is part of a standard process the department takes to assess English language tests.

Furthermore, though TOEFL iBT scores obtained after Jul 26, 2023 are not acceptable for relevant visa subclasses (migration, study, etc.) to Australia, valid TOEFL scores obtained pre and post-July 26 will be accepted by the Australian universities for admission purposes.

The DHA website also states that scores from the alternative versions of these standardized tests such as  OET@Home, TOEFL iBT – Special Home Edition, IELTS Indicator, and IELTS Online won’t be considered for migration purposes in Australia.

4 alternative English Proficiency Tests

International students wanting to apply for Australian visas can breathe easy as DHA will accept the following English proficiency test results.

• Cambridge English (CAE) aka. C1 Advanced
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS), including OSR (One Skill Retake) except for applications for subclasses 476, 482, and 485, which need scores from a single attempt/sitting
• Pearson Test of English (PTE)
• Occupational English Test (OET)

Please note: OET is developed for health professionals.

Students aiming for Australian visas need not panic as this decision is temporary. If you have valid TOEFL iBT scores obtained before July 26, these scores can be used for visa applications. 

But, if you received the scores post-July 26, shift your attention to the English proficiency tests as mentioned above. To stay updated on the latest educational developments worldwide, watch this space!

After all, MSM Unify is the one-stop destination to achieve your study-abroad dreams. On the MSM Unify portal, you can find the latest updates and crucial information regarding the universities abroad, the admission process, and other key details.