Australia has officially announced that it will now accept Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores for all visa applications, according to a press release by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) issued on Monday. This change comes after a period during which TOEFL scores were temporarily suspended from consideration, following a review initiated by the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) in July last year.
This update holds particular significance for Indian students and professionals, who often choose Australia for education and career prospects. With over 120,000 Indian students enrolled in Australian institutions last year, the country’s universities maintain a strong global standing.
Sachin Jain, Country Manager of ETS India and South Asia, highlighted Australia’s continued appeal to Indian students and professionals, noting the presence of nine Australian universities among the top 100 globally in the latest QS World University Rankings. This, coupled with post-study work opportunities, makes Australia an attractive destination for higher education and career development.
The decision to reinstate acceptance of TOEFL scores emphasizes the test’s credibility and high standards. Nishidar Borra, President of the Association of Australian Education Representatives in India, emphasized the significance of this acceptance, stating that it reaffirms the test’s rigor and relevance. He underscored TOEFL’s global recognition and respect, affirming its role as a vital tool for academic and professional progression.
Furthermore, changes have been implemented to the TOEFL test itself, including a reduction in test duration from three hours to under two hours. Candidates can now also access their official score release date immediately after completing the test.
The TOEFL iBT test evaluates English proficiency across listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills. It is recognized by over 12,500 institutions in more than 160 countries, including prominent education hubs like the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. This widespread recognition solidifies TOEFL iBT’s importance as a key asset for academic and professional advancement on a global scale.
