Australia Updates OET & IELTS Score Requirements for Nurses in 2025
Are you planning to work as a nurse in Australia? Big changes are coming in 2025 to the English language requirements for internationally qualified nurses. These updates will make it easier for many applicants to meet the registration criteria while maintaining the high communication standards required in healthcare.
Here’s what you need to know about the latest changes to OET and IELTS scores for nurses in Australia and how they may affect your registration process.
Lower Writing Score Requirements for IELTS & OET
Great news! The required writing scores for English language tests have been reduced:
✔️ IELTS: Writing score requirement lowered from 7.0 to 6.5
✔️ OET: Writing score requirement lowered to C+
This change means that nurses no longer need to meet the previously strict writing score, making it easier to qualify while still demonstrating strong communication skills.
More Time to Combine Test Scores
If you need to take an English test more than once, you now have more flexibility to combine your scores.
✔️ You can now combine scores from two test sittings within 12 months (previously only six months).
This gives candidates extra time to improve their scores and retake only the necessary parts of the test instead of redoing the entire exam.
New English Test Option: Cambridge C1 & C2
Australia now recognizes the Cambridge English Test (C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency) for nursing registration. This provides nurses with an alternative test option to IELTS and OET.
Expanded List of Recognized English-Speaking Countries
Previously, only a small number of countries were recognized as English-speaking nations for registration purposes. Now, Australia has expanded this list to 30 countries and territories, including:
- Malta, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Grenada, and more.
If you are from one of these countries, you may no longer need to take an English test to register as a nurse in Australia!
New Rules for Test Validity Extensions
If you have been working in a recognized English-speaking country, your test results may now remain valid for a longer period. This change helps experienced nurses continue their careers in Australia without unnecessary test repetitions.
Faster Registration for Internationally Qualified Nurses
A new streamlined registration process is now available for nurses from the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada (British Columbia & Ontario), Singapore, and Spain who have:
✔️ Worked at least 1,800 hours since 2017.
If you meet these criteria, you may qualify for a faster registration process with fewer barriers.
IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) Now Accepted
If you take the IELTS test and don’t get the required score in one section, you no longer have to retake the entire test! With One Skill Retake (OSR), you can retake just one section to improve your score.
⛔ However, for some visas (subclasses 476, 482, and 485), you still need to meet the score requirements in one sitting.
At-Home or Online Tests Are NOT Accepted
⚠️ Australia does NOT accept the following online or at-home English tests for migration or nursing registration:
- TOEFL iBT – Home Edition
- OET@Home
- PTE Academic Online
- IELTS Online (General and Academic)
- IELTS Indicator
Only tests taken at official test centers are accepted.
What Do These Changes Mean for You?
These updates make it easier for internationally trained nurses to meet Australia’s English language requirements while ensuring high standards for patient safety. If you’re planning to apply for nursing registration in Australia, make sure you check the latest test requirements and explore your options.
Need help preparing for OET or IELTS? Specialist Language Courses (SLC) offers expert-led courses to help you achieve your required scores.
📌 Start your OET or IELTS preparation today!