Head to head · Checked 30 October 2026
IELTS vs TOEFL iBT
Both are accepted by the Department at every English level, at the scores it publishes for each, and the choice is familiarity and availability: IELTS is the test most assessing authorities, registration boards and state nominators name first, with a face-to-face speaking interview and paper or computer delivery; TOEFL iBT is fully computer-based with recorded speaking, is strong for applicants used to American academic English, and was re-accepted for Australian visas after a gap, with scores set afresh by the Department. If an assessing authority or a board is involved, check which it accepts before booking; if only the visa is, sit the one you will score higher on.
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney · Reviewed 30 October 2026
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - Accepted for the visa
- Yes, at every level · Yes, at every level, at the scores the Department publishes for the current test
- Competent English
- 6 in each component · The Department’s current component scores; see the scores guide
- Proficient and superior
- 7 and 8 in each component · The Department’s current component scores for each level
- Assessing authorities and boards
- Accepted almost everywhere; Academic often required · Accepted by many, not all; check before booking
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About the CPD →Side by side
| IELTS | TOEFL iBT | |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted for the visa | Yes, at every level | Yes, at every level, at the scores the Department publishes for the current test |
| Competent English | 6 in each component | The Department’s current component scores; see the scores guide |
| Proficient and superior | 7 and 8 in each component | The Department’s current component scores for each level |
| Assessing authorities and boards | Accepted almost everywhere; Academic often required | Accepted by many, not all; check before booking |
| Format | Paper or computer; speaking with an examiner | Computer only; speaking recorded |
| Results | Within days on computer, about two weeks on paper | Within days |
| Watch out | Academic versus General Training for the assessment | The score table changed when the test was re-accepted; use the current one |
Charges are the current government application charges (from 1 July 2026, main applicant) — see the fee calculator for your family's total. Checked 30 October 2026.
The honest verdict
Both are accepted by the Department at every English level, at the scores it publishes for each, and the choice is familiarity and availability: IELTS is the test most assessing authorities, registration boards and state nominators name first, with a face-to-face speaking interview and paper or computer delivery; TOEFL iBT is fully computer-based with recorded speaking, is strong for applicants used to American academic English, and was re-accepted for Australian visas after a gap, with scores set afresh by the Department. If an assessing authority or a board is involved, check which it accepts before booking; if only the visa is, sit the one you will score higher on.
Which side of that line you fall on depends on facts a table cannot hold — your age, score, occupation's lists, and what evidence you can actually assemble. That is consultation territory, not guesswork territory.
More head-to-heads: 482 vs 494 · 190 vs 491 · 189 vs 190 · 482 vs 186
General information only, not migration advice. Settings shown are the general rules; exemptions and stream variations exist. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) after a paid consultation under the Migration Agents Code of Conduct.
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MARN 1576536 · practising since 2015 · contact details
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Questions we get asked first
IELTS or TOEFL iBT — which is better?
Both are accepted by the Department at every English level, at the scores it publishes for each, and the choice is familiarity and availability: IELTS is the test most assessing authorities, registration boards and state nominators name first, with a face-to-face speaking interview and paper or computer delivery; TOEFL iBT is fully computer-based with recorded speaking, is strong for applicants used to American academic English, and was re-accepted for Australian visas after a gap, with scores set afresh by the Department. If an assessing authority or a board is involved, check which it accepts before booking; if only the visa is, sit the one you will score higher on.
What is the main difference between the IELTS and the TOEFL iBT?
Accepted for the visa: IELTS — Yes, at every level; TOEFL iBT — Yes, at every level, at the scores the Department publishes for the current test. Competent English: IELTS — 6 in each component; TOEFL iBT — The Department’s current component scores; see the scores guide. Proficient and superior: IELTS — 7 and 8 in each component; TOEFL iBT — The Department’s current component scores for each level.
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