Covid-19 and IELTS: Australian updates and resources

Are Covid-19 restrictions affecting your IELTS test?

If you are unable to attend your scheduled IELTS test due to a travel ban, ‘Stay at Home’ order, or specific government restrictions, please contact your test centre to arrange a transfer of your test date, or a full refund.

Alternatively, if your IELTS Test Centre has to cancel a test session (for example because of new restrictions), the test centre will notify you directly to arrange a transfer of your test date. If you have any questions, please contact us now. We’re happy to help.

Contact IELTS

Is my IELTS test still on?

All Australian IELTS test centres have started testing again. Please check your test centre’s calendar for any updates and upcoming test dates in 2021. If you are located in another country, please contact your test centre or visit information for our global test taker community for more updates.

When is the next available IELTS test?

We know the temporary suspension of IELTS testing in some locations is inconvenient, especially if you need a test for work, study or migration. However, to protect the health and safety of all people, the Federal and/or State Government may put certain restrictions in place. That also meant restrictions on IELTS testing. While we have now started testing in the majority of locations, you may experience some wait times.

Book your next available IELTS test

My English test was cancelled, but my visa is expiring. What should I do?

For Student and Temporary Graduate Visas, the Department of Home Affairs allows extra time for you to provide English language test results if you were unable to take a test because of COVID-19. Where you have made an appointment for an IELTS test more than 28 days into the future, you may attach your booking confirmation in your ImmiAccount. You can book an IELTS test now for 28 days in the future.

On the 20th July, the Australian Government announced that “additional time will be given for applicants to provide English language results where COVID-19 has disrupted access to these services.” You can find this full announcement here.

If you need specific information on the Covid-19 visa arrangements, you can access the special information page from the Australian Government on this site.

Covid-19 and your visa

My Test Centre is closed, but I am expecting my IELTS results. What is going to happen?

If you have taken the computer-delivered IELTS test, you can preview your results online within 2-5 days after your test date. Or, if you take the IELTS paper-based test, you can preview your IELTS results online 13 calendar days after your test date. You’ll need your passport number, personal details, and your test date to retrieve your results. Your results will be available online for 2 years.

Preview your IELTS results online

If you need to provide your IELTS results to the Department of Home Affairs, or to a University you can use the Test Report Form (TRF) number is at the top of this page. The organisation can use the number to review your result online.

How can you practise IELTS while testing is suspended?

If your test has been suspended, we have prepared a few tools to help you use the time to improve your score.

• Set up a study plan
• Take a free IELTS practice test
• Get familiar with the computer format by practising with our free support tool

Free online IELTS Masterclass

And, there are also a few other things you can do to position yourself to get your best score.

For example, you can take an online practise test and get indicative band scores plus feedback from an official IELTS marker. Also, you can join the conversation on Facebook with daily tips on preparation. For visual learners, visit the official IELTS Writing video tutorials to help boost your Writing score.

Other fun ways to practice English at home:

• Sing along to English songs
• Watch films or television in English
• Listen to podcasts or the radio

I cannot attend my test in Australia due to the restrictions, what can I do?

If you are unable to attend your scheduled IELTS test in Australia due to the travel ban or specific government restrictions, please contact your test centre or contact us online to arrange a full refund or test date transfer.

I am in quarantine and cannot attend my IELTS test, what can I do?

If you are unable to attend your scheduled IELTS test in Australia due to quarantine, please contact your test centre or contact us online to arrange a full refund or test date transfer.

I am sick and cannot attend my IELTS test, what can I do?

If you are unable to attend your scheduled IELTS test in Australia due to sickness, please contact your test centre or contact us online to arrange a transfer up to seven days before your test date.

You will be asked to complete a transfer/refund form and provide supporting documentation within two days after your test date. Your application will be reviewed by your test centre and you will be advised of the outcome.

Can I wear a face mask in my IELTS test?

You are welcome to wear a face mask that covers your mouth and nose in your IELTS test. However, if you use a mask, you will be requested to remove it temporarily for photo identification and other purposes. You may find that staff and examiners are wearing face masks on test day.

Additionally, if you sit a test in locations where there are special restrictions in place, you may be required to wear a face covering throughout the duration of your IELTS test. As a result, test centre staff and examiners will also be wearing a face mask covering their mouth and nose during the test.

Will wearing a face mask affect my Speaking score?

If I wear a mask, will it affect my Speaking test score? The short answer is: No, not in your IELTS Speaking test because we use real, human examiners. But some other tests require you to talk to a computer, where it may affect your score.

Read more about wearing a face mask during your Speaking test

What changes have IELTS put in place in response to Covid-19?

IELTS is closely monitoring the evolving Covid-19 situation. In response, IELTS Australia has made the following changes:

• All test takers in Australia are required to sign a declaration form, or check in with Government approved QR codes
• We strictly adhere to social distance requirements for test takers in computer-delivered and paper-based testing
• Also, we increase the space between test takers and Speaking examiners
• We maintain the cleanliness of our test centres and computer-delivered IELTS labs. This includes computers, desks and headphones
• Test takers are permitted to wear face masks during their IELTS test
• Speaking examiners are permitted to wear masks during the Speaking test