Minimum English language requirement

Information about RMIT's minimum English language requirements for local students.

The following information provides you with the minimum English language requirements for entry into RMIT programs for applicants who are Australian Citizens, Permanent Residents, New Zealand Citizens or a person seeking asylum who holds either a: Temporary Protection Visa (TPV), or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) or Bridging Visa E or Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) visa. 

If you are applying to RMIT as an international student, please see RMIT's minimum English language requirements for international students.

Entry to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs

Qualifications where the teaching and assessment was entirely in English

For entry to an RMIT bachelor degree, associate degree or postgraduate coursework program, you are required to meet the minimum English language requirements through one of the following:

Qualifications Associate degree
Bachelor degree Postgraduate coursework program
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) A study score of at least 23 in VCE units 3 and 4 English as an Additional Language (EAL) or at least 20 in English, Literature or English Language. A study score of at least 27 in VCE units 3 and 4 English as an Additional Language (EAL) or at least 25 in English, Literature or English Language. A study score of at least 30 in Units 3 & 4 English as an Additional Language (EAL) or at least 25 in Units 3 & 4 English, Literature or English Language.
Australian Interstate Year 12
or
New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3

Achieve a study score in an English course (subject) deemed equivalent to those listed above.

Equivalent courses (subjects) can be located on VTAC’s Equivalent prerequisites for interstate and international Baccalaureate (IB) students webpage by selecting the spreadsheet Interstate subject guide to Victorian prerequisites.

For New Zealand’s NCEA Level 3, applicants must have achieved 18 credits in the equivalent courses (subjects). Equivalent course (subjects) are assessed on a case by case basis.

Equivalent Overseas Year 12 Completed an equivalent English course (subject) with the required study scores as listed above.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Achieve an overall score of at least 150 or a verbal reasoning sub-score of 149. Achieve an overall score of at least 156 or a verbal reasoning sub-score of 155.
Post-Secondary study

Satisfactory completion of two undergraduate level courses (subjects) equivalent to at least 24 RMIT University credit points; or

Satisfactory completion of an AQF accredited award at certificate IV or above (or equivalent).

Professional work experience (For entry to Postgraduate coursework only) n/a

Demonstrated at least 2 years professional work experience in an occupation requiring English language proficiency. 

A supporting statement from your employer which must be on official letterhead or an email from the company email account that confirms:

  • English is the language of business, 
  • duration of employment,
  • your roles and responsibilities,
  • nature of work, 
  • scale of the organisation, and
  • whether the company deals internationally.

If you are the CEO of your own company, we require a supporting statement from a business trader who deals directly with your company, on official letter head or company email confirming that English is the language of business, the duration and nature of your business relationship.

Equity Admissions Scheme

If you are applying to RMIT through the Schools Network Access Program (SNAP) or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Program, the English study score for admission is five points lower than the published study score for the program.

The minimum English study scores for entry may be set higher than the above scores, please check the program page.

Qualifications where the teaching and assessment was not entirely in English

For entry to an RMIT bachelor degree, associate degree or postgraduate coursework program, you are required to meet the minimum English language requirements through one of the following:

Overseas Year 12
Post-Secondary study

Entry to Vocational Education (VE) programs

There are no university minimum English language requirements for entry into VE programs for domestic applicants. However, English language requirements may be set for individual programs.

More information can be found under the entry requirements of the program page.

If you are applying for a government subsidised place and/or a VET Student Loan you will be required to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) assessment before you can enrol. This is to ensure that you will be successful in your program. We will also be able to determine if you require any additional support for language, literacy or numeracy throughout your program.

2026 pilot – alternative ways of meeting minimum English language requirements

RMIT is running a pilot for the 2026 intakes that allow local (domestic) applicants to meet minimum English language requirements through the completion of one of RMIT’s approved English language proficiency tests and achieve the required scores.

The following English language proficiency tests are accepted:

  • IELTS (Academic) / IELTS (Academic) One Skill Retake – Please note that IELTS (General) is not accepted for admission into RMIT university programs.
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test – iBT)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A))
  • C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE))
  • C2 Proficiency (formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)).

Note: Tests are valid for 2 years from the test date. Tests which fall outside of this validity period will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

RMIT does not accept scores from 'at-home' or 'online' testing.

Based on the level of study to which you are seeking admission, you are required to meet the following minimum English scores, unless specified under the exception table:

Entry to associate degrees

English proficiency tests

Minimum scores required

IELTS (Academic) / IELTS (Academic) One Skill Retake

6.0 (no band less than 5.5)

TOEFL (Internet Based Test - iBT

Overall score 60 (with minimum score of 10 in Reading, 9 in Listening, 16 in Speaking and 19 in Writing)

Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A))

50 (no communication band less than 42)

C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE))

169 with no less than 162 in any component

C2 Proficiency (formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE))

169 with no less than 162 in any component

Entry to undergraduate degrees (bachelor and honours)

English proficiency tests

Minimum scores required

IELTS (Academic) / IELTS (Academic) One Skill Retake

6.5 (no band less than 6.0)

TOEFL (Internet Based Test – iBT)

Overall score 79 (with minimum score of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)

Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A))

58 (no communication band less than 50)

C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE))

176 with no less than 169 in any component

C2 Proficiency (formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE))

176 with no less than 169 in any component

Entry to postgraduate degrees

English proficiency tests

Minimum scores required

IELTS (Academic) / IELTS (Academic) One Skill Retake

6.5 (no band less than 6.0)

TOEFL (Internet Based Test – iBT)

Overall score 79 (with minimum score of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)

Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A))

58 (no communication band less than 50)

C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE))

176 with no less than 169 in any component

C2 Proficiency (formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE))

176 with no less than 169 in any component

Exceptions – specific scores required

The following programs have specific minimum English language requirements for entry:

Course/s

English language proficiency tests and minimum scores required

BH105 Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)

BH106 Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)/Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)

  • IELTS (Academic)/IELTS (Academic) One Skill Retake: minimum overall band of 7.0 (with no individual band below 7.0)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 94 (with minimum of 24 in Reading, 24 in Listening, 23 in Speaking and 27 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 65 (with no communication band less than 65)
  • C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency: minimum of 185 with no less than 185 in any component.

BP320 Bachelor of Education

  • IELTS (Academic)/IELTS (Academic) One Skill Retake: minimum overall band of 7.5 (with 7.0-reading, 7.0-writing, 8.0-listening, 8.0-speaking)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test – IBT): minimum overall score of 102 (with minimum of 24 in Reading, 28 in Listening, 26 in Speaking and 27 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum overall score of 72 (with minimum communication band of 65 in Reading and Writing and 79 in Listening and Speaking)
  • C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency: minimum of 191 with no less than 200 in Listening and Speaking, 185 in Reading and Writing
  • ISLPR Professional / Teacher Registration Module: Achievement at Level 4 in all four areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing.

GD204 Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education

  • IELTS (Academic)/IELTS (Academic) One Skill Retake: minimum overall band of 7.0 (with no individual band below 6.5)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 94 (with minimum of 19 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 24 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 65 (with no communication band less than 58)
  • C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency: minimum of 185 with no less than 176 in any component.

MC219 Master of Teaching Practice (Primary Education)

MC220 Master of Teaching Practice (Secondary Education)

  • IELTS (Academic)/IELTS (Academic) One Skill Retake: minimum overall band of 7.5 (with 7.0-reading, 7.0-writing, 8.0-listening, 8.0-speaking)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test – IBT): minimum overall score of 102 (with minimum of 24 in Reading, 28 in Listening, 26 in Speaking and 27 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum overall score of 72 (with minimum communication band of 65 in Reading and Writing and 79 in Listening and Speaking)
  • C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency: minimum of 191 with no less than 200 in Listening and Speaking, 185 in Reading and Writing
  • ISLPR Professional / Teacher Registration Module: Achievement at Level 4 in all four areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing.

BP032 Bachelor of Nursing

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) requires all applicants for the Bachelor of Nursing to provide evidence of meeting the required English proficiency level prior to entry.

Please refer to the NMBA English skills registration standard for details of which tests are accepted and what scores are required.

BP231OST Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Osteopathy)

The Osteopathy Board of Australia requires all applicants (both domestic and international) for the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Osteopathy) program to provide evidence of meeting the AHPRA English Language Skills Registration Standard prior to entry.

Please refer to the AHPRA website for further information on how to demonstrate the Standard and any conditions that apply.

MC287 Master of Physiotherapy

  • IELTS (Academic)/IELTS (Academic) One Skill Retake: minimum overall band of 7.5 (with no individual band below 7.0)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 102 (with minimum of 24 in Reading, 24 in Listening, 23 in Speaking and 27 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 72 (with no communication band less than 65)
  • C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency: minimum of 191 with no less than 185 in any component.

MC002 Master of Clinical Psychology

  • IELTS (Academic)/IELTS (Academic) One Skill Retake: minimum overall band of 8.0 (with no individual band below 8.0)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 110 (with minimum of 29 in Reading, 28 in Listening, 26 in Speaking and 30 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 79 (with no communication band less than 79)
  • C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency: not applicable

BP321 Bachelor of Medical Radiations (all streams)

  • IELTS (Academic)/IELTS (Academic) One Skill Retake: minimum overall band of 7.0 (with no individual band below 7.0)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 94 (with minimum of 24 in Reading, 24 in Listening, 23 in Speaking and 27 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 65 (with no communication band less than 65)
  • C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency: minimum of 185 with no less than 185 in any component.

BH102 Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)

  • IELTS (Academic)/IELTS (Academic) One Skill Retake: minimum overall band of 7.0 (with no individual band below 6.5)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 94 (with minimum of 19 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 24 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 65 (with no communication band less than 58)
  • C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency: minimum of 185 with no less than 176 in any component.
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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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