What is IELTS?

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It’s the world’s most popular English language test for tertiary education, work and migration purposes. International students wanting to study at an Australian university are required to pass the IELTS test to show their English language abilities. The test can also be taken for work purposes or applying for residency. In a global partnership of language experts, IDP: IELTS Australia, the British Council and Cambridge English Language Assessment co-created IELTS.

IELTS One Skill Retake

IELTS One Skill Retake allows you to retake one of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking) if you need to improve in just one area. We know most test takers get the scores they need first time, but if you feel you haven’t performed to your best in one area, IELTS One Skill Retake can help you get back on track.

IELTS One Skill Retake is available at our centre now!
For more information, please read the FAQ section at the bottom of this page.

Get to know the IELTS test modules

IELTS is available in two modules: Academic or General Training. The Reading and Writing tasks for Academic and General Training varies, however the Listening and Speaking will remain the same.
The IELTS Academic test is for those who require a test score for study in an English-speaking country or seeking professional registration. 
The IELTS General Training test is for those who want to work or study at a secondary school, or migrate to an English-speaking country. 
We advise you to check with your academic or professional institution or government department about test format and entry requirements before booking your IELTS test.

Test Delivery Format

Australian Institute of Language (AIL) offers both IELTS on Computer (IOC) and IELTS on Paper (IOP).
At Australian Institute of Language, the Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking components are taken on the same day at the same chosen test venue. 


  IELTS on Computer (IOC) - One Skill Retake is enabled

· Listening – 30mins
· Reading – 60mins
· Writing – 60mins
· Speaking – 11-14mins

· Morning Session starts at 09:30 am
· Afternoon Session starts at 02:00 pm
· Evening Session starts at 05:30pm


We run up to 3 IOC sessions per day, 7 days per week.


  IELTS on Paper (IOP)

· Writing – 60mins
· Reading – 60mins
· Listening – 30mins + 10mins transfer your answer
· Speaking – 11-14mins

· IOP test session starts at 09:00 am
· Speaking test is taken on the same day from 12:40pm


We run up to 48 IOP sessions per year.



Melbourne CBD venue: IELTS on Computer & IELTS on Paper
- Address: Level 6, 388 Bourke St, Melbourne, VIC 3000
- Tel: 03 8618 8999
- Email: ielts@ail.edu.au

Public enquiry is available between 9:00am to 5:00pm, 7 days a week, except public holidays.




Box Hill venue: IELTS on Computer & IELTS on Paper
- Address: Unit 8, 532 Station St, Box Hill, VIC 3128
- Tel: 03 8618 8999
- Email: ielts.boxhill@ail.edu.au
Please note this venue does not have disabled access ramp/facilities. Please contact us if you need any assistance in this regard.

Public enquiry is available between 9:00am to 5:00pm, 7 days a week, except public holidays.


Book your test

· It’s easy to book an IELTS test session online and sit your test at AIL
· All you need to book your IELTS test online is a current, valid passport
· Select a test date and session which suits you the best. Make sure you select the test module (Academic or General Training) you need
· Please contact us at ielts@ail.edu.au or ielts.boxhill@ail.edu.au if you have any special requirements before you book your test.

Test Fee

The Full IELTS test is AUD$410.00* – There is no separate registration fee, payment processing fee, or late payment fee.
The fee for IELTS One Skill Retake is AUD$259.00

Accepted payment methods

- The following payment methods are accepted by AIL:
  • Online payment: by credit card, WeChat Pay, or Alipay
  • PayPal
  • Online bank transfer
  • Cash
  • Test cancellation/refund and transfer

    You may reschedule or cancel your IELTS test and receive a refund by returning the completed IELTS Request for Refund or Test Date Transfer Form more than 5 days prior to your test date. Requests submitted less than 5 days prior to your test date will not be accepted.
    An IELTS test booking cannot be transferred to another person.
    Please contact the test centre on 03 8618 8999 or ielts@ail.edu.au / ielts.boxhill@ail.edu.au if you would like to cancel or transfer your test. For more information, please read the FAQ section on this webpage.

    ID requirements

    · If you are not an Australian citizen, we can only accept a passport (not a national ID card) as a valid ID.
    · You are required to bring the same ID on your test day. You must make sure that your ID is not expired on the test day.
    · In exceptional circumstances, and where a test taker does not have a valid passport or national identity card, please contact us at ielts@ail.edu.au or ielts.boxhill@ail.edu.au for approval.

    Get your results

    If you are taking an IELTS on Computer test, your results are usually released 2-5 days after your test day.
    You will be notified by email once your results have been released. You can login here to check your results and download your Test Report Form (eTRF)

    If you are taking an IELTS on Paper test, your results are usually released on the 13th day after your test day.
    You will be notified by email and an SMS to your registered Australian Mobile number, once your results have been released. You may choose to collect your results, known as Test Report Form (TRF) for your test venue in person. Alternatively, your TRF will be posted within Australia free of charge via standard Australian Post. 

    Not happy with your results? 

    You may request a test remark by applying for an Enquiry on Results with us, within six weeks of sitting your test. 
    An Enquiry on Results (EOR) costs AUD$199. Should your band score increase, the cost will be refunded in full and a new Test Report Form will be issued. A remark may take upto 21 days. 
    Please contact us at ielts@ail.edu.au or ielts.boxhill@ail.edu.au for more details.

    Preparation for your IELTS Test 

    For better results, self-study with an IELTS preparation course is highly recommended. The IELTS Australia website has a wide range of IELTS preparation tools and products to help you prepare for IELTS. If you are a native English speaker, we also recommended you become familiar with the test format so you know what to expect on test day.

    AIL provides a range of IELTS preparation courses and services. AIL enables students to understand the requirements of IELTS, improve their English language skills, and ultimately meet standards of English language proficiency for admission purposes required by educational institutions/professional/government organisations, and migration purposes.

    For more information on IELTS preparation course, please contact enquiries@ail.edu.au or call 03 9670 8868

    Frequently Asked Questions 

    Everything you need to know about IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR)

    IELTS One Skill Retake is currently NOT available for IELTS on Paper (paper-based) test.

    You can take IELTS One Skill Retake if :
    - You have completed a full IELTS on Computer test at a centre that offers One Skill Retake
    - You have received your remark results (if you have applied for one)
    - You sit your One Skill Retake within 60 days of your full IELTS on Computer test

    The cost of IELTS OSR is AUD259.00.

    The format and timing of the IELTS One Skill Retake test are the same as a normal IELTS test. You can save time by not needing to complete the other three skills. You will receive a new Test Report Form. You can choose whether you would like to use either your old or new Test Report Form.

    The Australian Department of Home Affairs accepts IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) for most visa subclasses. Click here to find out which organisations accept your IELTS One Skill Retake test scores.

    Always check the website of the organisation you intend to apply to for more information about eligibility requirements.
    I don’t have a valid passport, can I use my driver’s licence or other ID?

    You can still apply to sit the IELTS test in Australia if you don’t have a passport, however only for three specific scenarios given below. The following options will have to go through our Verification of Identity process before being accepted.
  • Australian citizen by birth – birth certificate, drivers’ licence, and Medicare.
  • Not born in Australia, but acquired Australian citizenship – Australia citizen certificate, driver licence or photo ID and Medicare.
  • Refugee – A travel document – a certificate with a serial number able to be verified by the Australian government or an Immi Card – issued by the Australian government. We also ask that you provide us with a driving licence and Medicare card.

  • In exceptional circumstances, and where a test taker does not have a valid passport or national identity card, please contact us ielts@ail.edu.au or ielts.boxhill@ail.edu.au for approval.
    Which IELTS test do I need to take?

    The IELTS test is offered in two modules – IELTS Academic and General Training.

    The Academic module is designed for those who want to study or train in a university that teaches in English at undergraduate or postgraduate level or institutions of higher and further education. Many professions (e.g. medical, nursing, accounting, engineering) also require an Academic test result for registration purposes.

    The General Training module is for those who are going to English-speaking countries to do secondary education, work experience or training programs. This version of the test may be a visa requirement if you are planning to migrate to English speaking countries.

    IELTS is accepted globally by more than 10,000 organisations including universities, professional bodies, employers and Australian student visa and migration applications. Find out who accepts IELTS in Australia here.
    What can I do if I booked the wrong module (AC/GT)?

    For IELTS on Computer (IOC), you can ONLY request an update of the module (AC/GT) for the same test session upto 2 days before your test date.
    Unfortunately, once a session booking is closed (2 days before your test date), no changes can be made - no cancellation/refund or transfer request is accepted in this case.
    Please contact us for more details at ielts@ail.edu.au or ielts.boxhill@ail.edu.au.
    Can I pay the fees by instalment?

    No. The test fee must be paid in full at the time of booking.
    Can I cancel or reschedule my booking within 5 days prior to my test date?

    Requests submitted less than 5 days prior to your test date will not be accepted, except if due to the following reasons:
  • A traumatic experience
  • Domestic crisis
  • Unavoidable legal or military obligation
  • Serious medical conditions which prevent you from attending or performing normally on test day
  • Bereavement, or other forms of significant hardship
  • Civil unrest, extreme weather
  • In case of medical reasons, an original medical certificate/hospital admission certificate issued by a professional medical practitioner is required. The medical certificate must include the nature of the illness and other relevant information (with reference to your capacity to sit an exam) which will assist in any assessment of this application for special consideration.

    For other reasons, you must provide relevant documentation/evidence, i.e. police report, military service notice, or death notice. Statutory declarations or certificates signed by family members are not acceptable. The completed request form and supporting documentation must be received no later than five (5) days after the test date. Please note all requests submitted less than 5 days prior to your test date are subjected to administration approval.

    * For any approved cancellation/refund request made less than 5 days prior to your test date, a 25% administration fee applies from your original test fee.
    * For any approved test date transfer/reschedule request made less than 5 days prior to your test date, a non-refundable $75 transfer fee applies.

    Australian Institute of Language IELTS Centre reserves the right not to accept cancellation and/or transfer request due to work or study arrangement within 5 days prior to your test date, or any test taker who has started the test, and exits during the test; or cannot attend either the Listening/Reading/Writing test or the Speaking test.
    What do I need to bring on the day of the IELTS test?

    On the day of the test, you must bring your valid ID, i.e. current passport (only original and current passports are accepted). Photocopies or certified copies will not be accepted.

    Clear bottle of water – remove all labels and bottle must be see-through. All test takers are provided with pencils and erasers. Please do not bring your own stationery as it will not be allowed into the test room.

    If you are taking IELTS on Computer test, you can write down any notes on the logon sheets provided; however, they will not be looked at by examiners.
    How long does the IELTS test take to complete?

    · Paper-based IELTS Test – Writing, Listening, Reading – Up to 3 hours

    · Computer-delivered IELTS Test – Listening, Reading, Writing – Up to 2 hours 45 mins

    · Speaking Test (Both) – 11 - 14 mins
    How long are IELTS test results valid?

    While it is up to each organisation to set a validity period that works for their purposes, the IELTS partners recommend a 2-year validity period for IELTS test results.
    What if I lose my Test Report Form (TRF) or need an additional TRF?

    At any time within two years of sitting the test at Australian Institute of Language, you may apply for up to additional two copies of your TRF if your TRF is lost or damaged. A non-refundable $10/copy fee will be charged to replace lost/damaged or additional TRF. Please contact us for more details at ielts@ail.edu.au or ielts.boxhill@ail.edu.au.
    Do I need computer skills to take the computer-delivered IELTS test?

    You do not need any special computer skills. Please note that a QWERTY keyboard is used for the computer-delivered test. If you are unfamiliar with this type of keyboard, it may help to practice with one before you take the test. Don’t worry if you can’t type fast enough, the computer test is designed for people with normal typing skills.
    How is the Listening test conducted?

    For paper-based test - The Listening test is played via a central sound system and we will conduct a sound-check to ensure that all candidates can hear the audio. You will not need to use headphones.

    For computer-delivered test – You will be provided with noise-cancelling headphones. You will be able to adjust the volume before and during the Listening test.
    Can I wear my hat or cap?

    No, caps and hats are not allowed in the test room for both Listening/Reading/Writing and Speaking test.

    However, religious headwear, i.e. turbans, hijabs, is accepted. No substitute hats/caps or beanies, etc, other than actual religious headwear is accepted for religious purposes.
    If I am taking IELTS on Computer test, can I take the test online at home?

    No. If you choose to take IELTS on Computer test, you will need to take your Listening, Reading and Writing tests at the centre on a computer.

    The Speaking test is not on computer. You will complete it face-to-face, in a quiet room, with an experienced and friendly IELTS examiner.
    I have a special requirement. How can you help?

    In order to ensure that the language ability of all test takers is assessed fairly and objectively, IELTS provides a comprehensive service for test takers who have special requirements, including specific learning difficulties, hearing difficulties and visual difficulties, medical conditions or infant feeding.

    If you require a modified version of IELTS, or if your circumstances require special arrangements to be made, e.g. extra time, you must give us at least six weeks’ notice.

    Please note there are limited seats available for special needs test takers who require a separate room during the test. For more information, please visit the IELTS special requirements here.

    Please email us at ielts@ail.edu.au or ielts.boxhill@ail.edu.au, if you have any special requirements before you book your test. One of our team members will contact you as soon as possible.

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