Australia · Various Australian universities
Australia Awards Scholarships
IELTS Requirement & Application Guide
- IELTS
- 6.5
- Components
- L 6 / R 6 / W 6 / S 6
- Level
- UG, PG, PhD
- Deadline
- February–April (varies by country)
Last verified: 2026-03
About Australia Awards Scholarships
Australia Awards Scholarships are the Australian government's prestigious programme for students from developing countries, covering full tuition, return airfare, establishment allowance, living expenses, health cover, and supplementary academic support. The programme supports undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral study at Australian universities.
IELTS Required
| Overall | L | R | W | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Accepts: Academic ✓ / General ✗
Also accepted: TOEFL iBT 84
Tips for Meeting the Requirement
- 1Australia Awards requires IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each band. If you score below this initially, the programme offers a pre-departure English language training component to help scholars reach the required level.
- 2Practice IELTS Academic specifically — General Training is not accepted. Focus on the Academic Reading module, which uses longer and more complex passages than General Training.
- 3Deadlines vary by country (typically February–April). Check your country's specific timeline and take IELTS at least three months before the deadline to allow for processing and potential retakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What IELTS score do I need for Australia Awards Scholarships?
Australia Awards Scholarships require IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component. TOEFL iBT 84 is also accepted. Some programmes may accept a lower score with mandatory English language training.
Does Australia Awards accept TOEFL?
Yes, Australia Awards accepts TOEFL iBT with a minimum score of 84 as an alternative to IELTS Academic. Check your country's specific requirements as they may vary.
Can I apply to Australia Awards without IELTS?
You need an English proficiency test score to apply. However, if your score is slightly below the requirement, Australia Awards may offer an English language training programme before your studies begin. An IELTS or TOEFL score is still required for the initial application.
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