Onterra Tutor🇦🇺 Australia student visa (500)
The Australian student visa (subclass 500) publishes a language floor around IELTS 6.0 overall, dropping to 5.5 or 5.0 when packaged with an English course (ELICOS). Universities usually want more: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each skill is the standard ask for degree study, higher for teaching, nursing and law.
The requirement at a glance
| Visa minimum (standalone) | 6.0 overall |
|---|---|
| With 10 weeks ELICOS | 5.5 overall |
| With 20 weeks ELICOS | 5.0 overall |
| Typical university offer | 6.5 overall, no skill below 6.0 |
What people miss
- Registered nursing and teaching degrees commonly require 7.0 in every skill for professional accreditation, well above the visa line.
- ELICOS packaging buys time but adds months of fees; half a band of focused practice is usually cheaper than 10 weeks of classes.
- Scores must generally be from a test taken within 2 years of applying.
Are you already there?
Find out before you pay the exam fee. Check a real essay or record a speaking answer and get examiner-style bands in about a minute, free.
Questions people ask
Can I get an Australian student visa with 5.5?
Yes, if your enrolment is packaged with at least 10 weeks of ELICOS English study. Standalone entry needs 6.0, and your course offer may demand more.
What score do nursing degrees in Australia require?
Accredited nursing programs typically require 7.0 in each of the four skills, because the nursing board's registration standard sits there. Train for it from the start.
Figures reflect commonly published requirements and can change. Confirm against the official government or regulator source before booking.