International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

We conduct tests throughout the year at our centres located in Hobart and Launceston. The University of Tasmania is the only testing facility in Tasmania.

IELTS logo

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is designed to assess the language ability of people who need to study or work where English is the language of communication. It is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP:IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English. IELTS conforms to the highest international standards of language assessment. It covers the four language skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking.

IELTS is recognised by over 11,500 organisations worldwide: this includes Universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. It is also recognised by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies. More than three million tests were conducted in the past year, reflecting the growing importance of the world's leading test of English for International higher education and migration.

What do I need to know?

Before you apply:

  • Please read the IELTS Cancellation and Transfer policy (PDF 161KB) before you pay
  • You will only have 24 hours to apply and pay by credit card. After that time, your application will automatically be deleted. You will not receive any advice that your application has been deleted
  • You will need to know whether to take an Academic or a General Training test
  • You will be required to scan the bio page of your passport and upload it when you apply online
  • You will need to bring this original passport on test day
  • Our test centre does not provide headphones for the paper-based test. We provide headphones for the computer-delivered test

UK Visa applications

UK Visas and Immigration UKVI have a range of specific requirements for candidates wishing to use English language tests for UK visa applications. It is, therefore, essential that you let us know before you register for the test if you are intending to use your IELTS result for UK visa purposes.

Advertisements on a number of social media sites claim to provide services for IELTS test takers, such as registering for IELTS, collection of results and making arrangements for a re-mark of the test. We advise all potential IELTS test takers to avoid using such services that are not directly affiliated to IELTS. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Prefer some face-to-face help?

Email IELTS.Tas@utas.edu.au.

An IELTS expert will work with you to help improve your IELTS speaking and/or writing skills and identify any areas you may need to improve.

If you are on Facebook, please like IELTS Tasmania - Facebook. There are regular posts with advice, tips and up-to-date help to prepare you for your exam.

When do I get my results?

  • Paper-based test: IELTS results are posted out to candidates 13 days after the test.  If you need your test results urgently, you will need to contact us prior to the exam. Contact us.
  • Computer-based test: IELTS results are posted out 3 days after the test.

Receive your results by SMS

Candidates can apply to receive their results by text on release date. Candidates will be able to apply for this when they are registering for their test.

Preview your results

You can preview your test results online. Your test results will be available online after 5pm on release date and will remain available for 28 days thereafter. Please note the preview of your IELTS Test results cannot be used as official confirmation of your score.

Preview your test results

FAQs

You may nominate to send a copy of your IELTS Test results to up to five eligible receiving institutions. Eligible receiving institutions are:

  • Government departments
  • Academic Institutions (eg colleges and universities)
  • Professional associations (eg. Engineers, Medical Board etc)
  • Employers

We can either send your results by post or we can give your receiving institutions access to your results online.  If you would like us to do this, you will require your TRF number.  Please email us at IELTS.Tas@utas.edu.au for details.

You need to supply full mailing details (including case /file number) on the application form.  Please make sure you check with your receiving organisation about their entry requirements.

No, candidates receive only one copy of their results. You should always keep your original results and request additional copies be sent to eligible receiving organisations.

Email us if you change your address before the test day. Please include your

  • Full name
  • Test date and module
  • Your new address details

If you move without telling us, we cannot replace your test report form. Email us with your new address IELTS.Tas@utas.edu.au.

If you would like your results mailed overseas, please contact us to arrange payment for an express international envelope.  We cannot guarantee the delivery of mail to your country.

Results are usually recognised for up to two years, but you will need to confirm the validity with the organisation where you are applying.

You have a choice of two versions of IELTS - an academic version and a non-academic version. These are known as IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. It is your responsibility to ensure you have selected the correct test. If you are unsure, you should check with the organisation who has asked you to take the test to determine what their requirements are.

If you require the test for immigration purposes, you will need to confirm which version of the test you need to take with the Department of Home Affairs.

The differences between Academic and General Training.

IELTS results are issued 13 days after the test. The results will be posted out to candidates on that day unless specifically requested in writing to the IELTS Administrator at the time of application. Test results are valid for two years. You will receive only one Test Report Form. Candidates may also be able to preview their test results online, however this cannot be guaranteed. Candidates can also apply on test day to receive their results by SMS.

When you apply for your exam, you can request up to 5 copies be sent to institutions such as University admissions or registration bodies. You will need to complete the Add Recognising Organisations section on the IELTS online application form. If you have already received your results and would like your results sent to an institution, we can arrange that for you as well.

To apply for extra copies: Complete the Application for Issue of Additional TRF (PDF 22.4KB) and send it to the IELTS Test centre.

The Writing, Reading and Listening components of the test take approximately 3.5 hours. The speaking will be held directly afterwards, unless advised otherwise. If you need an early speaking interview time, please contact the test centre prior to the test date.  It may not be possible to adjust any speaking interview times on test day.

In order to ensure that the language ability of all test takers is assessed fairly and objectively, IELTS provides a comprehensive service for test takers who have special requirements, including specific learning difficulties, hearing difficulties and visual difficulties, medical conditions or infant feeding.

If you require a modified version of IELTS, you must give the test centre three months' notice. If your circumstances require special arrangements to be made, e.g. extra time, you must give the test centre six weeks' notice.

Please contact the test centre for further details on the special needs application process. Medical evidence must be supplied and we will process the application, make an assessment and advise you of what can be offered on test day.

If you have a disability that requires administrative arrangements (e.g. extra time) you should apply at least 6 weeks prior to the test.  You will need to submit a current, original medical certificate that is no more than 2 years old to support your application for special arrangements.  Please contact us for further details on the special needs application process.

You need to bring the passport you supplied when you applied for IELTS. If your passport is with the Department of Home Affairs, you must retrieve it in order to sit for the test.  If you have a new passport, you must provide the test centre with a copy of this document prior to test day. No passport = No exam. You may also bring erasers and a pencil sharpener. If you bring a drink, it must be in a transparent bottle. Nothing else is permitted in the exam room.

Please read the IELTS refund and transfer policy (PDF 163.1 KB) as you may be eligible for a refund. If you think you are eligible for a refund, please complete the Request for Cancellation or Test Day Transfer form (PDF 122KB)  and send it to the IELTS test centre. You will be contacted by email to advise the outcome.

Please read the IELTS refund and transfer policy (PDF 163.1 KB). If you think you are eligible to transfer the date of your IELTS test, please complete the Request for Refund or Test Day Transfer form (PDF 122KB) and send it to the IELTS test centre. You will be contacted by email to advise the outcome. If you are advised that you can transfer your exam, please pay the transfer fee online.

If you provide a valid medical certificate within 5 days of the test, you may be eligible for a refund. Please read the IELTS refund and transfer policy (PDF 163.1 KB). If you think you are eligible for a refund, please complete the Request for Refund or Test Day Transfer form (PDF 123.2 KB) and send it to the IELTS test centre. You will be contacted by email to advise the outcome.

IELTS is committed to fairness in all aspects of the IELTS test. If for any reason you are not satisfied with your result, you are entitled to apply for a re-mark. A re-mark is called an Enquiry on Result or EOR. You may select any or all of the modules to be marked again.

Your application must be received within six weeks of the test date.

Please:

  • Print off and Complete the Enquiry on Results form (EOR) (PDF 94.7 KB)
  • Pay the fee of $199 online and write the receipt number on the completed EOR form
  • Post the EOR form and the original Test Report Form to:

    Eleanor Marshall
    IELTS Office
    English Language Centre
    University of Tasmania
    Locked Bag 14
    Sandy Bay  TAS  7005

  • Or you can deliver the forms to the English Language Centre, Sandy Bay. Drop the forms into the silver IELTS post box in the foyer. Please do not submit incomplete applications as they will not be accepted.

Your EOR application will be forwarded to IELTS Australia for a review of your marks by a senior Examiner who is not made aware of your original results. This ensures the reassessment process is fair and unbiased. The results of your remark will be posted to you as soon as they are received in my office. Your result will normally be available in 2 - 21 days depending on several factors including the number of sections requested for re-mark.

Should any of your scores change, a full refund will be issued.

If you wish to make a complaint, please download the Complaint Form for Candidates (PDF 111KB). Candidates should use this form to describe the nature of their complaint. If you are making a complaint about an incident on test day, this form must be submitted to the IELTS Administrator on the same day. No complaint will be processed after your results have been released by your test centre.

Please visit the Discover Tasmania website for accommodation and travel information. If you prefer, University of Tasmania campus accommodation may also be available. Taxi fares from Hobart and Launceston airports to the University campus cost approximately $40.

The IELTS test fee is $410 which is payable by credit card when you make your online application.

Sometimes candidates will need an early speaking test time if they have to work or have another appointment later in the day. If you need to request an early speaking test time, the test centre can usually accommodate this request. Please email us at IELTS.Tas@utas.edu.au.

Book your test here

UTAS English Language Centre - Hobart - IELTS Australia

Please email us at IELTS.Tas@utas.edu.au for further advice on IELTS tests at the University of Tasmania.