Students in nursing and some midwifery courses must meet a specific level of English language proficiency.
Domestic applicants can show English language proficiency in the following ways:
1. Declaring that English is your primary language
This means that before the course start date you will have completed six years of schooling - including at least two years of secondary schooling - in English in one of the following countries:
- Australia
- New Zealand,
- South Africa
- United States
- Canada
- Republic of Ireland
- United Kingdom
2. Advising SATAC of your current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)
You will be registered with the NMBA to practice as an enrolled nurse or registered midwife.
3. Sitting an English language proficiency test before the course start date
The test must be accepted by the institution offering the course and you must meet the minimum result required.
The following institutions accept an English test sat within two years of the course start date:
- Charles Darwin University
- Flinders University
- The University of Adelaide
- University of South Australia
TAFE SA accept an English test sat within one year of the course start date.
Minimum English language proficiency test results
If you are using an English language proficiency test you must meet the minimum scores and conditions in one of the following tests:
| Type of test | Minimum score required |
|---|---|
| IELTS (academic module) |
Listening 7
Reading 7 Writing 7 Speaking 7 |
| OET (Nursing) |
Listening B
Reading B Writing B Speaking B (B=350) |
| PTE Academic |
Listening 65
Reading 65 Writing 65 Speaking 65 |
| TOEFL iBT |
Listening 24
Reading 24 Writing 27 Speaking 23 |
Please check the AHPRA website for the latest guidelines on accepted English language tests before you book and sit a test. SATAC does not currently accept at-home versions of the tests listed above.
Minimum scores and test conditions are in the NMBA Registration Standard: English Language Skills. This document is available from the NMBA website and on the institution’s course information pages.
The following institutions allow thresholds to be met using scores from two sittings of the English tests listed above, sat within six months of each other, provided that the minimum overall score is achieved in both sittings:
- Flinders University
- Charles Darwin University
- TAFE SA
- The University of Adelaide
- University of South Australia
If you are currently registered as a nurse or a midwife with the NMBA you have met the required English Language proficiency standard. SATAC can use your registration details to assess your eligibility.
If English is not your primary language, you must sit an acceptable English language test and meet the required minimum score to meet the English language eligibility criteria.