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Does AITSL Accept IELTS One Skill Retake in 2026?

AITSL accepts IELTS One Skill Retake for teacher migration assessments in 2026, but not PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge, IELTS Online or IELTS Indicator.

Key takeaways

  • AITSL accepts IELTS One Skill Retake for teacher migration skills assessment in 2026.
  • Other English tests and online IELTS products are not accepted for this route.
  • Academic IELTS scores must meet strict minimums: 7.0 in Reading and Writing, 8.0 in Speaking and Listening.
  • The assessment fee from 7 September 2026 is AUD 1,198.
  • Academic IELTS validity for AITSL is now three years.

In this guide: Decision table | Accepted and rejected tests | Score and validity rules | Scenario: Using IELTS One Skill Retake | Checklist: What to do next | How we researched | Sources

Does AITSL Accept IELTS One Skill Retake in 2026?

Yes. AITSL accepts IELTS One Skill Retake for the teacher migration skills assessment route in 2026, but does not accept PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge, IELTS Online or IELTS Indicator for this purpose. This applies only to the skills assessment for teachers and not to other authorities or professions.

Decision table

Check Verified position
1 From 7 September 2026 the assessment fee is AUD 1,198, the appeal fee is AUD 938 and the Skilled Employment Statement fee is AUD 265.
2 Academic IELTS requires at least 7.0 in Reading and Writing and at least 8.0 in Speaking and Listening.
3 The study route requires four full years of eligible higher education in six listed countries and must include initial teacher education.
4 AITSL accepts IELTS One Skill Retake but not PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge, IELTS Online or IELTS Indicator for this criterion.
5 AITSL announced that Academic IELTS validity for the skills assessment was extended from two years to three years.

Accepted and rejected English tests

For teacher migration skills assessment in 2026, AITSL accepts only Academic IELTS, including IELTS One Skill Retake. The following are not accepted:

  • PTE Academic
  • TOEFL
  • Cambridge English tests
  • IELTS Online
  • IELTS Indicator

This means that if you need to meet the English language criterion for AITSL, you must use Academic IELTS, and you may use the One Skill Retake option if you need to improve a single skill score. For official details, see AITSL English proficiency.

Score and validity rules

The minimum Academic IELTS scores required by AITSL are:

  • Reading: 7.0
  • Writing: 7.0
  • Speaking: 8.0
  • Listening: 8.0

All four skills must be achieved in one sitting, or through the One Skill Retake option if only one skill needs to be improved. The test result must be no more than three years old at the time of application. This validity period was extended from two years to three years, as confirmed in AITSL notices.

Scenario: Using IELTS One Skill Retake

Suppose a candidate sits Academic IELTS and achieves the following scores:

  • Reading: 7.5
  • Writing: 7.0
  • Speaking: 7.5
  • Listening: 8.0

The candidate meets the requirements for Reading, Writing, and Listening, but not for Speaking (needs 8.0). The candidate can use IELTS One Skill Retake to attempt only the Speaking section again. If the candidate achieves 8.0 in Speaking on the retake, and the combined report shows all minimums met, AITSL will accept this result for the skills assessment. This is not possible with PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge, IELTS Online or IELTS Indicator, as these are not accepted by AITSL for this route.

Checklist: What to do next

  1. Confirm you are applying for AITSL teacher migration skills assessment (not another authority).
  2. Check your Academic IELTS scores and test date.
  3. If you need to improve one skill, book IELTS One Skill Retake (not an online or home version).
  4. Ensure your final scores meet AITSL's minimums: 7.0 in Reading and Writing, 8.0 in Speaking and Listening.
  5. Prepare your application and pay the assessment fee (AUD 1,198 from 7 September 2026).
  6. Submit your application with the correct evidence and keep a copy of all documents.
  7. If in doubt, check the latest rules at AITSL English proficiency.

How we researched

This guide uses only facts and numbers published by AITSL and IELTS. We checked the official AITSL English proficiency page, AITSL notices, and the AITSL fee notice for the most recent and relevant information. SpeakShark does not provide official evidence or guarantee any application outcome. For spoken English improvement, you can start a free SpeakShark conversation, but use official sources for application decisions.

Sources

  1. AITSL English proficiency, checked 2026-09-06.
  2. AITSL notices, checked 2026-09-06.
  3. AITSL fee notice, checked 2026-09-06.
  4. IELTS official site, checked 2026-09-06.

For more on related requirements, see AITSL English Requirements for Teachers Australia 2026 and AITSL IELTS Scores for Teacher Migration in 2026.

FAQ

Does AITSL accept IELTS One Skill Retake for teacher migration in 2026?
Yes, AITSL accepts IELTS One Skill Retake for the teacher migration skills assessment route in 2026. This option is valid only for Academic IELTS and not for other English tests or online IELTS products.
What IELTS scores are required by AITSL for teacher migration?
AITSL requires a minimum of 7.0 in Reading and Writing, and 8.0 in Speaking and Listening on Academic IELTS. All scores must be achieved in one sitting or through the One Skill Retake option if only one skill needs improvement.
Are PTE, TOEFL, or Cambridge English tests accepted by AITSL for this route?
No, AITSL does not accept PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge English tests, IELTS Online, or IELTS Indicator for the teacher migration skills assessment. Only Academic IELTS, including One Skill Retake, is accepted.
How long is an Academic IELTS result valid for AITSL skills assessment?
AITSL accepts Academic IELTS results that are no more than three years old at the time of application. This validity period was extended from two years to three years as announced in AITSL notices.
What is the assessment fee for AITSL teacher migration in 2026?
From 7 September 2026, the AITSL teacher migration skills assessment fee is AUD 1,198. The appeal fee is AUD 938, and the Skilled Employment Statement fee is AUD 265.

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