Is IELTS Academic or General Training required for Visa 189 - Skilled Independent?

IELTS Academic only (General Training is not accepted for skilled migration).

How long are IELTS results valid for Australia immigration?

IELTS results are typically valid for 2 years from the test date for most immigration and university admission purposes.

What happens if I score below the minimum in one skill?

If any individual skill score falls below the stated minimum, your application will generally not be accepted - even if your overall band is above the threshold. Component minimums are strictly enforced.

Can I retake IELTS to improve my score for Australia?

Yes - there is no limit on how many times you can take IELTS. You can submit your best attempt within the validity period. Use AI-graded mock tests to identify which skill to focus on before retaking.

Home/🇦🇺 Australia/Visa 189 - Skilled Independent

🇦🇺 Australia · Department of Home Affairs (DHA)

IELTS Score for Australia Visa 189 - Skilled Independent - 2026 Requirements

Competent English (6.0 in each component) is the minimum to get the visa, but earns 0 bonus points.

Minimum IELTS scores required

6.0

Overall

6.0

Listening

6.0

Reading

6.0

Writing

6.0

Speaking

Competent English - required for visa grant

Want more points / stronger application?

Target band: 7.0+ - Proficient English = +10 migration points

L 7 / R 7 / W 7 / S 7

Key Facts - Visa 189 - Skilled Independent

Competent English (6.0 in each component) is the minimum to get the visa, but earns 0 bonus points.
Proficient English (7.0 in each component) earns +10 migration points.
Superior English (8.0 in each component) earns +20 migration points.
No "overall" band shortcut - every component must independently meet the threshold.
IELTS Academic only (General Training is not accepted for skilled migration).

Source: Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Requirements subject to change - always verify with the official body before submitting.

How to achieve these scores

Tips specific to reaching the 6.0 band for this visa.

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Getting every single skill to 7.0 is more valuable than an 8.0 overall - component floors matter more than averages.

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Prioritise your weakest skill to unlock the next tier - often Writing is the bottleneck.

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IELTS results used for migration are valid for 3 years.

🇮🇳 For Indian applicants

Australia is the second most popular destination for Indian students after Canada. The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) and the Skilled Independent Visa (189) together create the most popular pathway: study → graduate visa → PR nomination.

A counsellor's honest guidance

Think of your IELTS score as the key that unlocks admission - and the admission letter is what actually makes your Visa 189 - Skilled Independent possible. If you do these four things in order, you'll avoid the mistakes that cost students a year:

1.
Confirm the exact band your course needs. The number on your own program's admissions page is the one that counts - not a general figure you read online.
2.
Plan the money early. A Australia student visa asks you to show you can fund tuition and living costs, so build a realistic budget before you fall in love with a city. See Australia cost of living →
3.
Compare your routes. If one visa path doesn't fit your situation, another might suit you better. All Australia IELTS requirements →
4.
Practise against the real bar, not a guess. Take a scored mock test so you know your current band by skill before you book the real exam.