The good news is that virtually all Australian universities accept both IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English). So your choice comes down to which format suits your strengths.
IELTS overview
IELTS has been the gold standard for English testing for decades. It tests four skills:
Reading (29–30 minutes): Multiple choice, re-order paragraphs, fill in the blanks
Listening (30–43 minutes): Summarise spoken text, multiple choice, fill in the blanks
Key features:
Entirely computer-based, so you speak into a microphone
AI-scored (no human examiner for speaking)
Scores on a scale of 10–90
Results available in 1–2 days
Test fee: approximately $395 AUD
Which test suits you?
Choose IELTS if:
You prefer speaking to a real person
You're comfortable with handwriting (for paper-based IELTS)
You're strong at structured essay writing
You prefer a traditional test format
Choose PTE if:
You prefer typing to handwriting
You're comfortable speaking into a microphone
You want faster results (1–2 days vs 13 days)
You're strong at reading aloud and pronunciation
You get nervous in face-to-face interviews
Score equivalences
Here's a rough guide to how IELTS and PTE scores compare:
IELTS 6.0 ≈ PTE 50
IELTS 6.5 ≈ PTE 58
IELTS 7.0 ≈ PTE 65
IELTS 7.5 ≈ PTE 73
IELTS 8.0 ≈ PTE 79
Our advice
There's no objectively "better" test. It depends on your skills and preferences. We recommend taking a free practice test for both IELTS and PTE to see which format you feel more comfortable with. If you're unsure, book a free consultation and we'll help you decide based on your strengths.
Book your free, no-obligation consultation today. In 30 minutes you'll have a clear plan for studying in Australia, and a team ready to make it happen.
