Dr. Akram Ahmad, PhDIn a significant development affecting international students and immigrants, the Australian government has announced the removal of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as an accepted language proficiency test for visa applications.
The decision, which comes into effect immediately, has raised questions and concerns among prospective applicants who were planning to use TOEFL scores to demonstrate their English language skills.
TOEFL, a widely recognized English language proficiency test, has been utilized by numerous students and individuals seeking Australian visas to showcase their ability to communicate effectively in English. However, as of August 11, 2023, the Australian government has opted to discontinue accepting TOEFL scores as a valid measure of English proficiency for visa purposes.
The Department of Home Affairs, responsible for immigration and visa matters, stated that the decision to remove TOEFL from the list of accepted tests was taken after a thorough review of various English language testing options.
According to a department spokesperson, “The Australian government is committed to maintaining high standards of English proficiency to ensure that individuals coming to Australia can fully participate in education and employment opportunities. After careful consideration, it has been decided that other language proficiency tests better align with these standards.”
As an alternative to TOEFL, the Australian government will continue to accept scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Pearson Test of English (PTE), the Occupational English Test (OET) and the Cambridge English exams. These tests are regarded as more comprehensive assessments of an individual’s English language abilities, covering areas such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Prospective applicants are advised to review the updated visa requirements on the official Department of Home Affairs website and choose an English proficiency test accordingly. While TOEFL scores will no longer be accepted, individuals who have already submitted visa applications with TOEFL scores before the announcement will still be processed under the old guidelines.
International education consultants suggest that applicants who were planning to use TOEFL should promptly make arrangements to take one of the accepted tests instead, to avoid any disruptions in their visa application process.
As Australia adapts its visa requirements to reflect evolving language proficiency standards, potential immigrants and students are urged to stay informed about changes in policies to ensure a smooth transition to studying and living in the country.
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Dr. Akram Ahmad, PhD
Academically.ai is the brainchild of Dr. Akram Ahmad. He has done his PhD from the Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, Australia. He is a self-motivated clinical pharmacist and committed lecturer with over 9 years of teaching and research experience in various subjects of medicine at the leading Universities in Australia, Malaysia, and India.
Dr. Akram is the recipient of prestigious “Best Promising Researcher Award” from the UCSI University (Malaysia). He has also published over 110 papers, book chapters, conference papers including in high-impact journals. In addition to that, he is a reviewer and editorial board member in
several journals of medicine and pharmacy.