Australia · Professional registration
IELTS score for doctors registering in Australia (Medical Board of Australia)
Doctors registering in Australia through the test pathway need IELTS Academic with an overall score of 7, at least 7 in listening, reading and speaking, and at least 6.5 in writing.
Set by Medical Board of Australia (Ahpra). Checked against the official source on 23 October 2026.
Scores required
Test: IELTS Academic
- Overall
- 7.0
- listening
- 7.0
- reading
- 7.0
- writing
- 6.5
- speaking
- 7.0
Scores are minimums: the score in each skill must be at least the figure shown, as well as the overall band.
What else to know
- The same two-sitting rules apply as for other Ahpra boards: sittings no more than 12 months apart, an overall 7 in each, and no component below 6.5.
- IELTS Academic must be taken on paper or computer at a test centre. IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted.
- Results must normally be obtained within the 2 years before you apply for registration.
- Other accepted tests include OET, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency.
Recent and announced changes
Minimum scores in the English language skills registration standard changed for tests taken on or after 23 April 2026. The IELTS Academic figures are the same as before.
Official sources
- Ahpra: Accepted English language testswww.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills/Accepted-English-language-tests.aspx
- Medical Board of Australia: Registration standardswww.medicalboard.gov.au/registration-standards.aspx
Figures confirmed by hand on 23 October 2026. Requirements change: the official source always decides.
Preparing for this score
This requirement is for IELTS Academic. Writing is usually the hardest score to reach, so practise full Task 1 and Task 2 answers under time and check where you lose marks.
See how close you are to the score you need
Take a timed mock test and get estimated band scores for each skill, with the errors that are costing you marks.
Try a mock testOther requirements in Australia
This page summarises a published requirement. It is not immigration or legal advice, and we cannot advise on individual cases: for that, use the official body or a regulated adviser. IELTS is a registered trademark. IELTS Prep Studio is not affiliated with or endorsed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, or Cambridge Assessment English.