Australia and its universities are frequently placed among the top choices for international students contemplating higher education overseas. The country is applauded for its focused and practical education system, world-class infrastructures, excellent and comfortable living environment, and great job opportunities upon completing studies.
Australia has the third-highest number of international students globally, behind the UK and the US. For international students to gain admission into the institution of their choice, they must meet the minimum test score percentage as required by Australian institutions to test their proficiency in the use of English.
Of course, it is essential to note that the minimum TOEFL test score percentage needed differs from one University to another. This article will give a brief overview of the studying experience in Australia and the minimum TOEFL entry requirements.
What Do You Need to Know About Studying in Australia?
Several international students who apply to study in Australia do so because of the benefits of learning in the country. Some of these benefits are
- High standard of living: Australia performs well to a great extent in matters of well-being compared to other nations listed in the Better Life Index. This comfortable standard of living makes the country appealing to students from foreign countries.
- Australia regularly features one of the countries with the best quality of life. Also, the 2021 Global Peace Index ranks Australia as the 16th most peaceful nation globally in security.
- Permanent Residence Option: Another advantage that Australia provides to its international student community is the opportunity to continue living and working in Australia with a Permanent Residency visa after graduation, as long as they meet the requirements of the Australian immigration program under which they apply.
- Work while studying: Students from foreign countries in Australia can engage in work activities with the necessary permit. Students can engage in work-related activities for up to 40 hours weekly during the academic year and for as much time as possible during scheduled year breaks.
- Low Tuition Fees: Australia has some of the lowest university tuition fees among English-speaking countries. Students can choose from a wide range of universities as low as AUD 24,000.
What are the Requirements for Studying in Australia?
TOEFL is one of the accepted English tests for universities in Australia. Top universities in Australia accept TOEFL test scores as valid evidence of knowledge of the English language from foreign applicants.
The requirements for students intending to study in Australia vary based on the university they apply to.
General requirements for studying in Australia include
- Verifiable copies of class X and class XII report sheets and the Bachelor’s degree (if applicable).
- Candidate’s work experience and two letters of recommendation from employer/manager.
- Resume.
- Photocopied score reports of TOEFL / IELTS /GMAT scores.
- A work portfolio (e.g., for students applying for art and design courses).
- Other certificates/achievements acquired at the state or national level and extracurricular activities).
- A valid passport/ means of identification.
- Proof of funds.
What are the Minimum TOEFL Score Requirements for Australian Universities?
International students intending to study in Australia at the undergraduate level must be over 18 years old. They should also have a minimum TOEFL score of 90 to stand a chance to enroll in an Australian university. Postgraduate students must have a bachelor’s degree and a corresponding overall TOEFL score of 90.
To understand how TOEFL Scoring works, check out these resources below.
According to information from the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in 2022, Australian Universities rank between 33rd and 801th out of thousands of all evaluated institutions.
1. University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne, consistently famous for being a leading university worldwide for research and teaching, is located in Melbourne, Australia. The University is currently 33rd on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The University of Melbourne is a student favorite because of its wide range of courses as it has nearly 100 undergraduate and over 400 postgraduate programs.
The University of Melbourne is the top university in Australia. The institution requires an overall TOEFL score of at least 94 with a minimum of 27 in writing for undergraduate programs. For graduate programs, the requirement is course-specific for faculties such as Science, Fine Arts and Music, School of Government, School of Design, Engineering and Information Technology; the TOEFL overall score percentage should be at a minimum of 79 and a corresponding score of 21 in Writing.
For other faculties such as the Faculty of Arts and Veterinary and Agricultural Science, the overall TOEFL score required is at least 94, with a minimum of 27 in Writing. The Melbourne Business School, on its part, requires at least a 102 overall TOEFL score and a minimum of 24 in Writing.
2. The Australian National University
Located in Canberra, the capital of Australia, The Australian National University is a public research university, with the main campus encompassing seven teaching and research colleges and several national academies and institutes. ANU is adequately recognized and evaluated as one of the world’s leading institutions.
This illustrious institution is currently ranked as the second university in Australia and 54th on the 2022 Times Higher Education World Rankings. ANU is home to over 20,000 students and over 9,000 international students.
The Australian National University accepts a minimum TOEFL overall score of 80 for undergraduate studies with at least 20 in Writing. For graduate studies, the university requires an overall TOEFL score of 100, and a minimum of 27 in Writing is required for Clinical Psychology and Professional Psychology. For all other courses, it requires an overall TOEFL score of 80 and a minimum of 20 in Writing.
3. The University of Queensland
Currently, on the 54th position with The Australian National University on the 2022 Times Higher Education World Rankings, The University of Queensland is a public research institution located in Brisbane, Australia.
The institution is famous for its policy of focusing on teaching excellence and, for several international students, has more than 18,600 postgraduate students and approximately 18,000 students from 134 countries. UQ has six faculties, incorporating over 100 research institutes and centers offering research programs.
For TOEFL, the University accepts a minimum score of 87 with at least 21 in Writing for undergraduate and graduate programs.
4. Monash University
Founded in 1958, Monash University is a public research university based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The institution has various campuses, four in the country and one in Malaysia. Monash University is home to 100 research centers and co-operative research centers.
For programs, the University offers more than 20 majors across its undergraduate program and, for graduate studies, over 300 graduate coursework programs. In the 2022 Times Higher Education World Rankings, Monash University placed 57th.
While Monash University is home to over 25,000 international students from 100 different countries, it has over 10,000 international students offshore. The University requires an overall TOEFL score of 79 and a minimum of 21 in writing for undergraduate programs.
For graduate studies, while the general requirement is an overall TOEFL score of 79 and 21 in Writing, there are exceptions for faculties such as Arts, Business and Economics, and Law, where the overall TOEFL score required is 94 with at least 24 in Writing.
5. University of Sydney
Founded in 1850 as Australia’s first university, the University of Sydney is a public research university located in Sydney, Australia. The institution comprises about eight different academic faculties with the inclusion of college schools, through which the institution offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs for students.
The University of Sydney is currently ranked 58th on the 2022 Times Higher Education World Rankings. The University is one of the world’s leading, comprehensive research and teaching universities, as it offers an exceptional range of disciplines – more than 400 areas of study – with a community that includes more than 70,000 students, 8000 permanent and fixed-term staff, and 350,000 alumni in more than 170 countries.
For TOEFL, the requirements for undergraduate programs depend on the faculty and courses. For degrees in Applied Science, Nursing, and Architecture and Environment, the overall score accepted is 96 and a minimum of 27 in Writing. B. Arts and B. Laws accept an overall score of 105 (25 in Writing), while Education requires a whopping 112 as an overall score with at least 25 in Writing. All other courses require 85 as an overall score and 19 in Writing. On the other hand, Doctor of Laws is only listed for the graduate studies, with 105 as an overall score and 25 in Writing.
6. University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales, established in 1949, is a public research university located in Kensington, South Wales, and Australia. It is currently placed 70th on the 2022 Times Higher Education World Rankings and can boast of international exchange and research partnerships with over 200 separate tertiary institutions worldwide.
The University is a member of the prestigious Group of Eight – a coalition of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities.
UNSW comprises seven faculties, more than 200 undergraduate programs, and over 350 graduate programs.
University of New South Wales is home to over 20,000 international students. For TOEFL, the requirements depend on the faculty. Faculties such as Arts, Design & Architecture, Medicine & Health, Science, and Engineering accept an overall TOEFL score of 90 and a minimum of 23 in writing for undergraduate programs.
In contrast, other faculties such as Law & Justice and Business accept an overall score of 94 and at least 25 in Writing. For graduate studies, faculties such as Arts, Design & Architecture, Business, Law & Justice accepts a 94 overall score and 25 minimum in Writing.
7. University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide a public research university located in Adelaide,
South Australia was established in 1874 and held the position of the third-oldest university in Australia.
Currently ranked 111th on the 2022 Times Higher Education World Rankings, the university has a well-established reputation for excellence and progressive thinking. The University is composed of five faculties, with each containing constituent schools. Adelaide has over 50 specialist research centers working on critical challenges across many industry sectors and has over 20,000 international students.
The University requires an overall TOEFL score of 79 and a minimum of 21 in Writing for undergraduate programs. For graduate studies, requirements depend on the faculty: while faculties such as Arts, School of Nursing, School of Psychology, School of Public Health, School of Architecture & Built Environment require an overall score of 94 with at least 27 in Writing, other faculties accept 79 as overall score with a minimum of 24 in Writing.
8. The University of Western Australia
Currently placed 132nd on the 2022 Times Higher Education World Rankings, the University of Western Australia is located in Perth as a public research institution in Western Australia. The University is notable for valued industry connections, innovative courses, commitment to our student experience, and high-impact research.
With over 90 undergraduate programs and more than 180 graduate degrees, the University is home to over 4,500 international students.
For TOEFL, the University accepts an overall TOEFL score of 82 and a minimum of 22 in Writing for undergraduate and graduate studies.
9. University of Technology Sydney
Coupled with its rich contribution to the research sector, the University is widely known for its innovative learning and teaching approach, which integrates the best of online and face-to-face experiences.
The University of Technology Sydney placed 143th in the 2022 Times Higher Education World Rankings and, as of 2020, enrolls over 46,000 students through its nine faculties and schools.
For undergraduate programs, the University of Technology Sydney requires an overall TOEFL score of 94 and a minimum of 27 in Writing in areas such as B. Nursing and Communication.
All other courses require an overall score of 79–93 and a minimum of 21 in Writing (exceptions are for some other courses).
For graduate studies, the overall TOEFL score for most courses is 94-101 (writing: 27). All Engineering and Information Technology courses require 79–93 for the overall percentage and 21 for writing. Other courses go for 79-83 overall and writing 21.
10. University of Canberra
The University of Canberra (UC) is a public research university with its main campus in Bruce, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. On the Times Higher Education World Rankings, it placed 170th in the world and 10th in Australia.
For undergraduate programs, the University of Canberra accepts an overall TOEFL score of 60 overall and at least 27 in Writing for Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing). All Education degrees require a whopping 102 overall score and a minimum of 22 in Writing. Exceptions for other courses are listed.
All other courses except those listed require a 79 overall TOEFL score and 21 in Writing for graduate studies.
Where Do Australian Universities Rank in 2022 on the QS World University Rankings?
| World Ranking | Educational Institution | TOEFL Requirements (Undergraduate) | TOEFL Requirements (Postgraduate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | The Australian National University | 80 | 100 |
| 37 | The University of Melbourne | 94 | 94 to 102 |
| 38 | The University of Sydney | 96 to 112 | 105 |
| 43 | The University of New South Wales | 90 to 94 | 94+ |
| 47 | The University of Queensland | 87 | 87 |
| 58 | Monash University | 79 | 79 to 94 |
| 93 | The University of Western Australia | 82 | 82 |
| 108 | The University of Adelaide | 79 | 79 to 94 |
| 133 | University of Technology, Sydney | 79 to 94 | 79 to 93 |
| 193 | University of Wollongong | 61 | 79 to 88 |
Which University Does Not Require TOEFL in Australia?
Universities that do not require TOEFL in Australia have these options for international students:
- The student should have a certificate or an equivalent English language proficiency test result such as IELTS and Duolingo English Test.
- The student can provide evidence that they were educated in an English-based school for a minimum of four years as an alternative to English proficiency examinations.
- The candidate is a citizen of a country considered to be English-speaking, like the UK, Australia, or the United States of America.
- Students who cannot provide English proficiency scores can choose to take the English language course offered by the University.
Some Australian Universities where the TOEFL test is optional include:
- University of Queensland
- The University of Adelaide
- The University of New South Wales
- Macquarie University
- Bond University
- The University of South Australia
- The University of Southern Queensland
Additional FAQs – TOEFL Score Requirements for Australian Universities
Does Australia Require IELTS or TOEFL?
To assess an aspiring student’s English proficiency level, Australia requires an examination of the student. Both IELTS and TOEFL are English language tests accepted by Australian universities.
Schools require these tests to ascertain the level at which the student can receive instruction and communicate effectively in the English language. However, while some schools have minimum requirements for these exams, there are some exceptional cases where the universities may choose to forgo these requirements.
What is the Minimum TOEFL Score Required for an Australian Student Visa?
The score required for a student visa is usually determined by the institution the candidate applies to. International students with programs of study in Australia are expected to acquire a student visa.
Getting one would mean taking an English proficiency test and being accepted by an Australian college or university.TOEFL test scores are accepted for an Australian student visa.
What is the TOEFL Score Required for Universities?
While it is important to note that some universities require higher scores for some undergraduate programs, the general score for TOEFL is the minimum score of 84.
For graduate degrees, while it is also important to note some universities require higher scores for some programs, the general overall score for TOEFL is the minimum score of 90-100. Applicants are advised to check the requirements on the universities’ websites.
Can I Study in Australia with TOEFL?
Yes, certainly. For international students who intend to pursue a degree program in one of Australia’s institutions, a test is required to gauge their proficiency in the English Language. If applicants can satisfy their university’s minimum requirements, they may get admission to study their choice courses depending on the fulfillment of other requirements by the university.
TOEFL is a very popular English language test taken by international students. Australian institutions accept the TOEFL IBT and TOEFL Paper Tests as a test of English proficiency.
Additional Reading — TOEFL Scores
