The Educational Testing Service (ETS), the organization behind the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), announced that TOEFL scores will once again be accepted for all Australian visa applications. This update follows a review by the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA), which had suspended the acceptance of TOEFL scores last July.
Effective Date and Importance
The restored acceptance applies to TOEFL exams taken on or after May 5, 2024. Sachin Jain, Country Manager for ETS India and South Asia, highlighted the significance of this decision for Indian students and professionals. “Australia remains the preferred choice for Indian students and working professionals, with over 120,000 Indian students studying in Australia last year,” Jain stated.
Background of Suspension
The TOEFL iBT was temporarily unavailable from July 25 of last year due to ETS making revisions to the test. The Australian Department of Home Affairs paused acceptance of the test scores during this period to review the changes.
Alternative Accepted Tests
While TOEFL scores were under review, the Australian government accepted English proficiency results from the following tests:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS), including One Skill Retake (OSR)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE)
- Cambridge English (CAE), also known as C1 Advanced
- Occupational English Test (OET), designed for health professionals
Recent Changes to the TOEFL Test
ETS recently announced updates to the TOEFL test, including a reduction in test duration to less than two hours. These changes aim to make the test-taking experience more efficient for candidates.
This decision to reinstate TOEFL scores for Australian visa applications is a welcome relief for many, especially for the large number of Indian students and professionals who choose Australia for their studies and careers.
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