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IELTS testing

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the world's most popular English language test. Sit your exam at our convenient Southport location and get internationally recognised results you can use for study, employment or immigration purposes.

TAFE Queensland will no longer offer IELTS testing from 1 October 2023. Please visit the IELTS website for tests in the Gold Coast.


IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is an internationally recognised test designed to measure your English language proficiency. It is the world's most popular English language test with more than three million people around the world taking the IELTS test every year. You may need a current IELTS result in order to meet the entry requirements for your desired TAFE or university course, to gain employment after graduation, or for immigration purposes. TAFE Queensland has an IELTS Test Centre at our Southport campus

Types of IELTS tests

There are two different types of IELTS tests available: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. The IELTS Academic test assesses whether you are ready to start academic studies in English. It is for people who are applying for higher education or professional registration and need to meet the English language entry requirements. The IELTS General Training test focuses on basic English language skills for social and workplace contexts. It is for people who want to migrate to an English speaking country, or who want to complete their secondary education in English. All four components of the test (writing, reading, listening and speaking) are held on the same day. 

Both tests cover all four language skills:

  • Writing - 2 tasks (150 and 250 words), 60 minutes
  • Reading - 3 sections (40 items), 60 minutes
  • Listening - 4 sections (40 items), 30 minutes
  • Speaking - 11-14 minutes.

Test fees

The IELTS Academic or General Training test costs AU$410.

Test dates

Please note - all computer delivered tests have a 9am and 1pm sitting time on their respective days.  Paper tests all commence at 9am on their respective days. 

Paper Testing 2022/2023

MonthDateTest Type
August26Academic & General Training
September9Academic & General Training
 23Academic & General Training

Computer Testing 2022/2023

MonthDateTest Type
August23Academic & General Training
 25Academic & General Training
 29Academic & General Training
 30Academic & General Training
September5Academic & General Training
 6Academic & General Training
 8Academic & General Training
 12Academic & General Training
 13Academic & General Training
 15Academic & General Training
 19Academic & General Training
 20Academic & General Training
 22Academic & General Training
 29Academic & General Training

Practice materials

Prepare for IELTS  and get familiar with the Computer Delivered test.

A range of additional official preparation materials including test tips, practice tests, and support tools are available from https://www.ieltsessentials.com.

IELTS Masterclass Webinars

Are you preparing for IELTS testing? IELTS Australia as a series of monthly Masterclass Webinars that cover the listening and reading, speaking and writing tests in more detail. Visit the IELTS testing site for the upcoming Masterclass Webinar dates and times.

Test day information

Test venue

Testing is held at the TAFE Queensland Southport campus, 91-99 Scarborough Street, Southport. On-site car parking is available at the campus for a small charge. The campus is also easily accessible via public transport with a bus stop and G:Link light rail stop located at the front of the campus. For more information on public transport timetables, routes and fares visit the TransLink website.

Registration

Please ensure you arrive plenty of time before your test. Arrive at least 35 minutes before the Listening, Reading and Writing Test. Arrive at least 20 minutes before your Speaking test.  If you miss your registration time you will not be permitted to sit the test and you may forfeit your test fee.

What to bring

  • You must bring your current passport with you on test day.
  • No passport = no test
  • Water in a clear bottle with labels removed
  • Stationery will be supplied  

*If you need to have medication with you in the test room you must get permission at least four days prior to your test by contacting the TAFE Queensland IELTS Test Centre.

What not to bring

* Mobile phone
* Watch
* All electronic devices
* Keys
* Bags
* Wallets
* Food
* Hats and caps (other than religious headwear)
* Personal belongings will be stored in a secure room, however the test centre does not take responsibility for lost or stolen items.

 

We recommend that you leave any valuables at home

Identification requirements

The only form of identification accepted at the TAFE Queensland IELTS Test Centre is a current passport. A colour copy of your passport must be uploaded to the IELTS online application. You must also bring the same passport with you on test day. No other form of identification will be accepted and you will not be able to enter the test centre without the correct identification.

Important information

If you believe there has been a mistake with your IELTS test score you can apply for a re-mark of one or all modules of your test within six weeks of the test date. To apply, please visit the Customer Service Centre at our Southport campus, complete an Enquiry on Results Form, and submit your original Test Report Form with your application. A fee of A$218.90 applies which is refundable if your score changes.

If you request a transfer more than five weeks before for a paper test and more than 5 days before a computer test from the original test date a fee of $102.50 (excluding GST) applies. You must select an available test in the next three months. You cannot transfer your test date less than five weeks before a paper test and less than 5 days before a computer unless you can provide proof that you have experienced serious illness, injury, hospital admission, bereavement, hardship, trauma, or military service.

If you didn't get the results that you were hoping for, you can apply to sit the test again as soon as you're ready. There is no limit on the number of times you can sit the test. It is strongly advised that you prepare properly for the test and complete some practice test materials before attempting the test again.

Your IELTS test results can be sent to a maximum of ten eligible receiving institutions by completing the Recognising Organisations section on your application form. Eligible receiving institutions include government departments, colleges and universities, professional associations, and employers. Agents and family members cannot be nominated to receive Test Report Forms.

If you cancel, more than five weeks before your paper test or more than five days before your computer test, you will be charged a cancellation fee of $102.50 (excluding GST). If you cancel within five weeks of the exam date for a paper test or within five days of the exam for a computer test, the exam fee is non-refundable unless you provide satisfactory evidence of serious illness, bereavement, or trauma no later than five working days after the exam date. Statutory declarations or certificates signed by family members will not be accepted.

If you change your address before the test date please advise us by email. Include your full name, test date, module, and your new address. If you move without advising us we cannot replace your Test Report Form.

Your IELTS test results for Computer Delivered IELTS will be available 2 - 5 days after your test date. Results for paper test are available 13 days after your test date. You will be able to view a preview of your test results online after 5pm on release day and available to view for 28 days. Please note that your results from the preview cannot be used as an official confirmation of your score. Your official Test Report Form will be mailed to your home address. To preview your results please visit the IELTS website.

If you have submitted your application and need to make a change to your details, you can do this in person or via email. Please visit the Customer Service Centre at TAFE Queensland Southport with your passport and receipt, or email the TAFE Queensland IELTS Test Centre at IELTS.GoldCoast@tafeqld.edu.au (from the email account used on your application form) including your full name and test date.

If you need additional Test Report Forms, and you did not request these at the time of application, you will need to pay an administrative fee of AU$30 for each additional copy.

If you made a mistake on your application form and need to have this amended on your Test Report Form an administration fee of AU$30.00 will be charged to reprint the new Test Report Form. The original Test Report Form will need to be returned to us before the reprint can be actioned.

We do not recommend having your results sent overseas as we cannot guarantee the delivery of mail overseas. All mail including overseas mail is sent as standard mail with Australia Post if however you would like to have your results mailed overseas you must provide us with a stamped, addressed international envelope before the test. The delivery address should be written in both English and the destination country. The international envelope should be provided to us before the test.

To provide feedback on any aspect of your test day experience, or if you have any concerns that you would like addressed, please contact the Administrator by emailing IELTS.GoldCoast@tafe.qld.edu.au or calling (07) 5581 8340

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