English Language Tests for International Students: IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE?

If you’re an international student in Australia and planning your next step—like applying for university, extending your visa, or working towards permanent residency—you’ll need to prove your English skills.  

With options such as IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE, it can feel confusing to know which test suits your goals. Each has different formats, scoring systems, and acceptance rules.

This guide explains the main English language tests for international students in Australia, so you can choose the right one to support your study, visa, or migration plans.

Mini-summary:

• English proficiency tests check listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills.

• General tests focus on everyday English; Academic tests focus on university-level English.

An English language proficiency test is a way to check how well you can use English. These tests measure your ability to listen, read, write, and speak in English. They help universities and governments understand if you can study, work, or live in an English-speaking country.

There are two main types of tests you might hear about: General and Academic.

• General English tests focus on everyday English skills. They check how well you can use English in daily life, like shopping, talking with friends, or at work.

• Academic English tests are designed for students who want to study in universities. They test your ability to understand and use English in academic settings, like reading textbooks, writing essays, and following lectures.

You need to take these tests if you want to:

• Apply for a university or college in an English-speaking country.

• Apply for a student or work visa, especially in countries like Australia.

• Prove your English skills for certain jobs or migration programs.

Overview:

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the most popular English language tests for international students. It measures your ability to understand and use English in everyday and academic settings.

If you want to study in Australia, IELTS is often the preferred choice. It’s accepted by 12,500+ organisations, including top universities in Australia. 

Test Format: There are two types: IELTS Academic (for study) and IELTS General Training (for work or migration).

• Listening (30 mins)

• Reading (60 mins)

• Writing (60 mins)

• Speaking (11–14 mins face-to-face interview)

Scoring: Scores range from 1 to 9 for each skill. You get an overall band score, which is the average. For university applications, the required score is 6.5 overall, with no band score below 6.0.

Unique Features:

• Face-to-face Speaking test mimics real conversations

• Paper-based and computer-based options

Acceptance: Accepted by over 12,500 organisations in more than 140 countries, including 100% of Australian, UK, New Zealand, and Canadian universities.

Preparation Materials and Support

IELTS also offers a wide range of preparation materials to help you perform your best on test day, here are some of them:

Prep Hub: Here, you’ll find practice tests, mock tests, video tutorials from IELTS experts, and article guides–all for free. 

Assist & Coaching: If you want personal guidance, IELTS offers Assist & Coaching, where an IELTS coach assesses your performance on Writing, Speaking, and Reading, and provides a study plan to improve your score.

Masterclass and webinars: These are free sessions led by IELTS experts to help you improve your Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking skills. You’ll also get the chance to ask questions and receive practical advice for reaching your target band score.

Familiarisation Tests: These free IELTS Familiarisation Tests let you practise with sample questions in a real test format on your computer, so you can have the closest experience to what you’ll face on test day. 

Access more IELTS Preparation Materials here

Other Benefits:

• Faster results: With IELTS on a computer, your results are typically available in one day.

• Recognised for student visas in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Canada.

Overview: TOEFL is a popular choice for students aiming to study in the USA, although it's accepted globally. It focuses more on academic English. Created by ETS, it’s a popular choice for students aiming to study in the United States. However, it’s also accepted by many universities in Australia, Canada, and Europe.

Test Format: Mostly taken as the TOEFL iBT (internet-based test).

• Reading (35 mins)

• Listening (36 mins)

• Speaking (16 mins via computer)

• Writing (29 mins)

Scoring:

Each section is scored out of 30, for a total score of 120.

Unique Features:

• Entire test is completed on a computer

• Speaking is recorded, not face-to-face

• Uses American English vocabulary and accents

Acceptance: Accepted by over 11,500 universities worldwide, especially in the USA, Canada, and parts of Europe.

Prep Materials and Support: ETS (the maker of TOEFL) offers official guides, sample questions, free webinars, and TOEFL Go! app for practice.

Other Benefits:

• MyBest Scores combines your best section scores from multiple tests

• Results usually arrive in 6 days

• Can be taken at home in some countries

Overview: PTE Academic is a fully computer-based English test that appeals to students who are comfortable with digital technology. It’s known for its AI-based scoring system. PTE is accepted for all Australian student visa applications and by every Australian university. The test uses integrated tasks that mirror classroom scenarios.

Test Format: One full test session (approx. 2 hours):

• Speaking & Writing

• Reading

• Listening

All responses are recorded or typed into a computer.

Scoring: Scored from 10 to 90, using AI and machine learning for quick and accurate results.

Unique Features:

• Fully computer-based with AI scoring

• Fastest results among all major tests (often within 48 hours)

• Integrated tasks (e.g., speaking based on a reading passage)

Acceptance: Accepted by 100% of Australian universities, all Australian visa applications, and over 3,000 institutions worldwide.

Prep Materials and Support: Pearson offers free practice apps, official scored mock tests, and online prep courses.

Other Benefits:

• Ideal if you prefer not speaking to a human examiner

• Frequent test dates and year-round availability

• Flexible rescheduling and quick booking process

If you’re applying to a university in Australia, choosing the right English test is a big step. It’s not just about getting a score. It’s about picking the test that matches your learning style, strengths, and goals.

Here are some important factors to think about:

1. Difficulty and Test Design

Every test has its own style. TOEFL and PTE often include integrated tasks. For example, summarising a lecture while typing your answer. This can feel a bit like juggling skills all at once. If you're someone who prefers clear, focused tasks, this format might feel a little complex.

On the other hand, IELTS separates each skill (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking), so you can show your strengths in one area at a time. 

Many test takers find this structure easier to manage, especially if you're not confident in multitasking across language skills.

2. Speaking Test Format

Do you feel more comfortable talking to a real person or speaking into a computer? 

In PTE and TOEFL, your speaking responses are recorded and assessed by AI. These formats can be beneficial for some students who feel anxious about speaking to a human examiner. However, the downside is the uncertainty about how well the technology picks up their accent or phrasing.

IELTS have human examiners who are trained to understand a wide range of accents. For many students, doing the speaking test with a human examiner feels just like a conversation.

And you don’t even have to be anxious! These examiners are also trained to make you feel relaxed as you take your test.

3. Flexibility and Availability

All four tests—IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Cambridge—offer frequent test dates and worldwide availability. 

But IELTS stands out for offering both computer-based and paper-based options, depending on what you’re more comfortable with. Some students just think better with a pen and paper. Others prefer typing. With IELTS, you choose.

4. Accuracy and Scoring PTE and TOEFL rely heavily on AI scoring. While that means faster results, some students worry about how accurate or fair the AI can be, especially for speaking or writing.

IELTS combines human examiners and standardised criteria, which helps ensure that your performance is assessed fairly, especially if your accent, tone, or writing style doesn’t perfectly fit an algorithm’s expectations.

As of August 7 2025, PTE has updated its test format and now includes human assessors for speaking and writing responses.

Learn more about PTE score updates

At university, you’ll need to follow lectures, write essays, read complex texts, and join discussions—not just memorise grammar rules. That’s why it makes sense to take a test that reflects these real tasks.

IELTS Academic is built around the kind of English you’ll actually use in class.

From listening to lectures to writing essays and contributing in tutorials, the test mirrors what you’ll face at university.

So instead of just learning how to pass a test, you’re building the skills you’ll rely on every day.

Turns out, your IELTS score is more than just a ticket to university admission. 

A study shows that students with higher IELTS scores tend to perform better academically, especially in their first semester (Barkaoui, K., 2025).

For you, this means that doing well on the IELTS test could be an indicator that you can perform well in university, too. 

Here’s one of the most compelling insights from the same research paper.

Some tests only predict short-term ability. 

But IELTS scores were found to be linked to consistent GPA performance across multiple semesters, not just the first few months of study. This trend is even stronger in majors that rely heavily on English, like humanities, education, or business.

Students with higher IELTS scores also experienced less GPA drop-off over time.

This link between IELTS scores and academic performance means your test result is more than just a number—it’s a reliable reflection of how ready you are for university life.

If you score well, you can feel confident that you’ll manage lectures, essays, and discussions without constantly struggling to keep up.

It measures the kind of proficiency you’ll actually need to succeed long after you’ve enrolled.

By now, you’ve seen how each test brings something different to the table. TOEFL and PTE might work if you're confident in multitasking or prefer a fully computer-based test. 

But if you're aiming to study in Australia, and you want a test that does more than just tick a box, IELTS might be the one that sets you up for real success.

It’s not just widely accepted by all Australian universities and visa programs. 

IELTS reflects the kind of English you’ll actually use in lectures, tutorials, and essays. It gives you a detailed breakdown of your strengths and areas to work on. 

So here’s the real question: Do you want a test that just gets you in—or one that helps you stay strong once you're in university?

Ready to take the next step? Explore our IELTS practice materials and test booking options. Your degree journey starts with the right foundation. Make it count.