Is IELTS Required for a Scholarship in Australia? (2026) Guide for Nepali Students

No, IELTS is not strictly required for every scholarship in Australia. But you must prove your English level using IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic in most cases.

IELTS is not the only option, but English proof is required for almost every scholarship in Australia.

Most Australian scholarships and universities accept more than just IELTS. You can use TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic as alternatives. Some programs also accept a Medium of Instruction letter if your previous degree was taught in English.

Does Every Australia Scholarship Require IELTS?

Almost every scholarship in Australia requires some proof of English. IELTS is the most common test, but it is not the only accepted option.

According to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australia Awards Scholarship accepts IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, and PTE Academic. No other tests are accepted for this specific scholarship.

University scholarships like Deakin Vice Chancellor, Monash International Leadership, and La Trobe Vice Chancellor scholarships follow the university’s own English requirements. Most of these accept TOEFL and PTE as well as IELTS.

The key point is this. English proof is required. But whether that proof must be IELTS specifically depends on which scholarship you are applying for.

What IELTS Score Do You Need for Australian Scholarships?

The standard minimum IELTS score for most Australian scholarships is 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0.

According to the Australia Awards Policy Handbook, applicants need IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no individual band below 6.0. If you use TOEFL iBT instead, you need at least 84 overall with no section below 21. For PTE Academic, you need at least 58 with no communicative skill below 50.

University scholarships like Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship and University of Sydney International Scholarships also require IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for graduate programs.

Some undergraduate scholarships may accept IELTS 6.0 overall. Professional programs like nursing, medicine, and education often require IELTS 7.0 or higher.

Your IELTS score must be valid on 1 January of the year you start your studies. Most IELTS results are valid for two years.

Can You Use TOEFL or PTE Instead of IELTS?

Yes, TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic are widely accepted as alternatives to IELTS for Australian scholarships and universities.

For Australia Awards, all three tests are accepted. IELTS 6.5 is equivalent to TOEFL iBT 84 or PTE Academic 58 for this scholarship. For university scholarships, most Group of Eight universities including University of Melbourne and University of Sydney also accept TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and Cambridge C1 Advanced as alternatives.

Some universities also accept LanguageCert Academic and Michigan English Test. Always check the specific scholarship or university page to confirm which tests they accept.

One important note. Duolingo English Test is not accepted by the Australian Department of Home Affairs for student visa purposes. So even if a university allows it, Duolingo alone will not work for your visa application.

Is There Any Way to Skip the English Test Completely?

Yes, some scholarships and universities allow a full waiver of the English test if you have studied in English before.

According to Australia Awards guidelines, you can skip the IELTS requirement if English is your first language and all your previous education was completed in English. You need to prove this with official transcripts.

University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, and most other major Australian universities also offer test waivers for students who have completed at least one year of full time tertiary study in an approved English speaking country like the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, or Australia itself.

For Nepali students, this waiver is rarely available unless you have previously studied abroad in one of these countries. Most Nepali students will need to submit an English test result.

If your score is slightly below the requirement, Australia Awards also provides up to 6 months of free pre-course English training for selected scholarship recipients who score within 0.5 IELTS points of the minimum.

What If You Do Not Have IELTS Yet When Applying?

You can still apply for many scholarships and university programs without a completed IELTS result, but you will receive a conditional offer.

Many universities including University of Melbourne allow you to apply while your test results are pending. You receive a conditional offer, and you must submit your final results before your enrollment is confirmed.

For Australia Awards, your English test results must be submitted as part of your application. You cannot apply conditionally for this specific scholarship. So plan to take your test well before the application deadline which is typically February to April each year for Nepali applicants.

If your score is low, some universities offer English pathway programs or English for Academic Purposes courses. Completing one of these with a satisfactory grade can replace the IELTS requirement for direct admission. However, this pathway usually takes extra time and money.

Which Scholarships Have the Most Flexible English Requirements?

University scholarships tend to be more flexible than government scholarships when it comes to English requirements.

Scholarships at universities like La Trobe University, University of Canberra, Charles Darwin University, and University of the Sunshine Coast generally accept more test options and sometimes accept Medium of Instruction letters from your previous university. If you want to know more about which of these universities are easiest to get into, you can read our guide on which university in Australia has a 100% acceptance rate.

The Research Training Program scholarship, which covers full tuition and a living stipend for PhD and Master’s by research students, does not set a central English score. Each university sets its own standard, usually around IELTS 6.5.

The Australia Awards Scholarship is the strictest. It only accepts IELTS, TOEFL iBT, and PTE Academic and does not allow Medium of Instruction letters as a substitute.

What Is the Minimum IELTS for a Student Visa in Australia?

The minimum English requirement for an Australian student visa is lower than most scholarship requirements.

According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the student visa subclass 500 requires the equivalent of IELTS 5.5 overall for most courses and IELTS 6.0 for some higher level programs. However, since most scholarships require IELTS 6.5 or higher, meeting the scholarship requirement automatically satisfies the visa requirement.

Plan your English test early because you need the result for both your scholarship application and your visa application. Getting a score of 6.5 or above will cover both requirements in most cases.

If you want to understand the full cost and process of studying in Australia including visa fees and living costs, you can also read our guide on how much GPA is required to study in Australia from Nepal for broader context on what you need to prepare.

How to Apply for a Scholarship if Your IELTS Score Is Low

If your IELTS score is below the requirement, you still have options before giving up on Australian scholarships.

First, check if you qualify for a test waiver based on your previous English medium education. If you do not qualify, take the test again and aim for at least 6.5 overall. Register early because popular test dates fill up quickly in Nepal.

Second, consider applying to university scholarships that accept PTE Academic. PTE is often considered easier to prepare for quickly compared to IELTS. A PTE score of 58 is the equivalent of IELTS 6.5 for most Australian universities.

Third, if your score is very close to the minimum, contact the scholarship office directly. Some programs offer conditional acceptance or pre-course English training for borderline cases. Australia Awards specifically funds up to 6 months of English training if your score is within 0.5 bands of the requirement.

For more information on scholarship options available to Nepali students including full funding options, read our guide on can I get a 100% scholarship in Australia.

Final Thoughts

IELTS is required for most Australian scholarships, but it is not the only option. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic are accepted by most universities and by the Australia Awards Scholarship.

The standard score you need for most scholarships is IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0. Some undergraduate programs accept 6.0 and some professional programs require 7.0 or higher.

If you are a Nepali student planning to apply for Australia Awards, take your IELTS or PTE early. Applications open around February each year and your test result must be included in your application.

Do not wait until the last minute. English tests take time to prepare for, and getting a strong score opens more doors for both scholarships and university admission. Start preparing at least 3 to 6 months before your target test date.

If you are also researching your full options for studying in Australia, read our related guides on can you get a 100% scholarship in Australia.

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Last updated: April 2026