Entry into the first year of a higher education course or a VET program at Chisholm requires you to:

  • have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), or equivalent overseas qualification
  • potentially attend a pre-admission interview and meet the Genuine Student Requirement
  • meet the course admissions requirements.
  • Meet the course english requirements.

For prospective students who don’t meet the requirements for first year entry into our bachelor degrees, our international course advisors can provide information on alternate pathways and available options to access higher education at Chisholm.

English language requirements

Entry into a first year bachelor program at Chisholm requires a minimum International English Language Testing System (IELTS) result of 6.0 (Academic) overall with no individual band less than 5.5.

Entry into certificate and Diploma courses requires a minimum overall score of 6.0 IELTS. Reading, writing, listening and speaking are all considered. Full English entry requirements (including minimum scores for other recognised English language testing systems) is on each course page.

Recognised English language testing systems are:

  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
  • IELTS One Skill Retake
  • PTE (Pearson Test of English academic)

Please note that an English language test score may be mandatory for your visa application. Please add for more information on English language tests approved for Australian visa purposes and the validity, please visit https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language

Contact international.admissions@chisholm.edu.au for evidence of the English standard required or call +61 3 9212 5040.

The table below provides IELTS equivalent scores for PTE accepted by Chisholm:

IELTS and PTE Score Comparison Table
IELTS PTE Overall PTE Listening PTE Reading PTE Speaking PTE Writing
6.0 with no band < 5.0 47-54 33-39 36-41 24-38 29-40
6.0 with no band < 5.5 47-54 40-46 42-47 39-53 41-50
6.0 with no band < 6.0 47-54 47-52 48-53 54-65 51-59
6.5 with no band < 6.0 55-62 47-52 48-53 54-65 51-59

An English test completed on or before 6 August 2025 can be used as evidence of English proficiency for visa purposes until 6 August 2028, inclusive.

PTE Academic scoring | Pearson PTE

Nursing

https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/registration-standards/english-language-skills.aspx

English Language Test Requirements for IELTS and PTE
Test Minimum Overall Score Requirement Description Listening Reading Speaking Writing
IELTS (Academic paper and computer at test centre only) 7 Minimum overall score of 7 in each sitting, with individual scores of at least 7 in Listening, Reading, and Speaking, and a minimum of 6.5 in Writing across the two sittings.

When results from two sittings are used, no score in any component from either sitting may be below 6.5. 		7 7 7 6.5
PTE (computer at test centre only) 66 A minimum overall score of 66 must be achieved in each sitting, with individual scores of at least 66 in Listening, Reading, and Speaking, and a minimum of 56 in Writing across the two sittings.

When results from two sittings are combined, no score in any communicative skill from either sitting may be below 56. 		66 66 66 56

One Skill Retake – IELTS & PTE

IELTS One Skill Retake

An IELTS One Skill Retake is considered part of the same test sitting. Where two test sittings are used, both sittings must be taken within a 12-month period, be from the same test provider, and meet the minimum overall and component score requirements. Results cannot be combined from different test providers.

Example: If a student sits their first IELTS test on 1 March 2025 and then completes a One Skill Retake for Writing on 15 April 2025, these are considered the same sitting. If a second full test is used to meet requirements, it must be taken no later than 1 March 2026.

PTE Academic Single Skill Retake

A PTE Academic Single Skill Retake is considered part of the same test sitting. Where two test sittings are used, both sittings must be taken within a 12-month period, be from the same test provider, and meet the minimum overall and communicative skill score requirements. Results cannot be combined from different test providers.

Example: If a student sits their first PTE Academic test on 1 March 2025 and then completes a Single Skill Retake for Writing on 15 April 2025, these are considered the same sitting. If a second full test is used to meet requirements, it must be taken no later than 1 March 2026.

*For more information on ELICOS pathway/packaging options, please contact the admissions team on international.admissions@chisholm.edu.au.

Our ELICOS pathway partners are:

Chisholm Institute reserves the right to increase fees annually. Tuition and other fees are correct at the time of printing but may change.

All fees and payments are in Australian dollars.

The course materials fee is an annual charge.

We recommend that you find out about your rights and responsibilities before and during study in Australia. Visit Study Australia's ESOS Act page,