Last updated: 1 April 2026

TOEFL Score for Australia PR: iBT Requirements by English Level

TOEFL iBT is one of five English proficiency tests accepted by the Department of Home Affairs for Australian skilled migration. While IELTS and PTE dominate the Australian migration testing landscape, TOEFL remains a fully valid option — particularly for applicants who are already familiar with the TOEFL format from university admissions or who prefer its integrated, computer-based approach. This guide maps the exact TOEFL iBT scores required for each DHA proficiency level, explains the test format, and helps you assess whether TOEFL is the right choice for your Australian PR application.

How TOEFL iBT Scoring Works

TOEFL iBT scores each of four sections on a scale of 0 to 30. The total score ranges from 0 to 120, calculated as the sum of all four section scores. The four sections are Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.

For Australian migration purposes, the Department of Home Affairs does not use the total TOEFL score. Instead, DHA sets minimum thresholds for each individual section at each proficiency level. Your effective English level is determined by whether every section meets the required threshold for that level. If three sections meet the Superior threshold but one falls below, your classification drops to the next level where all four sections meet the requirement.

This per-section approach is consistent across all accepted tests — IELTS uses per-band minimums, PTE uses per-component minimums, and TOEFL uses per-section minimums. The total score is irrelevant for migration classification.

TOEFL iBT results are available approximately 4 to 8 days after the test date through your ETS account. Scores can be sent directly to institutions and government agencies via the ETS score reporting system.

TOEFL Score Requirements by DHA English Level

The Department of Home Affairs maps TOEFL iBT section scores to four English proficiency levels. Unlike IELTS and PTE where the same score applies to all four components, TOEFL has different minimum scores for each section at each level.

Key observations about these thresholds:

Writing has the highest thresholds. At the Superior level, you need a score of 30 out of 30 in Writing — a perfect score. This makes achieving Superior English through TOEFL significantly harder in the Writing component compared to IELTS (where 8.0 out of 9.0 is required) or PTE (where 79 out of 90 is required). If you are targeting Superior English, this Writing threshold is a critical consideration.

The gap between Competent and Proficient is substantial. Moving from Competent to Proficient requires jumping from 12 to 24 in Listening (doubling), 13 to 24 in Reading, 21 to 27 in Writing, and 18 to 23 in Speaking. These are significant improvements that require genuine skill development, not just test technique.

Speaking thresholds are relatively moderate. The Speaking thresholds (18 for Competent, 23 for Proficient, 26 for Superior) are proportionally lower relative to the section maximum of 30 compared to the Writing thresholds. For applicants with strong spoken English, the Speaking section is less likely to be the limiting factor.

TOEFL iBT Test Format

TOEFL iBT takes approximately 2 hours to complete and is administered entirely on a computer. The test is available at ETS-authorised test centres and as a home edition (TOEFL iBT Home Edition) with remote proctoring.

Reading (35 minutes)

The Reading section presents two academic passages of approximately 700 words each. Questions test your ability to understand main ideas, supporting details, vocabulary in context, inference, and text structure. Passages cover academic topics from science, social science, and humanities — not healthcare or migration-specific content.

The reading passages are longer and more academically dense than those in IELTS or PTE. If you are comfortable with university-level academic texts, this format should be familiar. Time management is important — you have approximately 17 minutes per passage including questions.

Listening (36 minutes)

Listening presents academic lectures and campus conversations. You hear each recording once and then answer questions. The lectures are 3 to 5 minutes long and cover academic subjects. Conversations simulate interactions between students and university staff.

A distinctive feature of TOEFL Listening is that you cannot see the questions while the audio plays — you must take notes and then answer from memory and notes. This rewards strong note-taking skills and sustained concentration.

Speaking (16 minutes)

The Speaking section consists of four tasks. Task 1 is an independent task — you respond to a prompt expressing your opinion on a familiar topic. Tasks 2 through 4 are integrated tasks combining reading, listening, and speaking — you read a passage, listen to a related recording, and then speak about the relationship between them.

All responses are recorded through a microphone and scored by a combination of AI and human raters. Unlike IELTS, there is no face-to-face interview. Unlike PTE, the scoring involves human assessment alongside automated scoring.

Writing (29 minutes)

Writing consists of two tasks. The integrated task (20 minutes) requires you to read a passage, listen to a lecture that challenges or supports the passage, and write a response synthesising both sources. The independent task (10 minutes previously, now part of the “Writing for an Academic Discussion” format) asks you to contribute to an online academic discussion based on a prompt and other student responses.

The integrated writing task is unique to TOEFL — neither IELTS nor PTE requires you to synthesise reading and listening input in a written response. This format suits applicants who are comfortable with academic synthesis but may challenge those who prefer straightforward essay writing.

TOEFL Score Equivalence Table

This table maps TOEFL iBT thresholds against the equivalent scores for IELTS and PTE at each DHA proficiency level.

Note that TOEFL’s asymmetric section thresholds (different scores for each section) contrast with IELTS and PTE where the same threshold applies across all components. This means TOEFL may be easier in some sections and harder in others compared to the equivalent level in other tests.

When TOEFL Makes Sense for Australian PR

TOEFL is less commonly chosen for Australian migration than IELTS or PTE, but there are specific situations where it is the stronger option.

You already have a valid TOEFL score. If you recently sat TOEFL for university admission or another purpose and your scores meet the DHA thresholds, you can use that result for your migration application without sitting a separate test. This saves both money and preparation time. Confirm the score is still within the validity window.

You are familiar with the TOEFL format. If you have previously taken TOEFL and are comfortable with integrated tasks, note-taking during listening, and the computer-based speaking format, switching to an unfamiliar test format introduces unnecessary risk. Familiarity with a test format is a genuine advantage.

You prefer integrated tasks. TOEFL’s integrated speaking and writing tasks — where you combine information from reading and listening into a response — suit applicants who think analytically and can synthesise information quickly. If you find IELTS’s separate task structure or PTE’s micro-task format less natural, TOEFL’s longer integrated tasks may be a better fit.

You are not targeting Superior English. The TOEFL Writing threshold for Superior English is 30 out of 30 — a perfect score. This makes Superior English through TOEFL exceptionally difficult to achieve in practice. If you are targeting Competent or Proficient English, the TOEFL thresholds are reasonable. If you need Superior, IELTS or PTE may offer more achievable thresholds.

Skills Assessment Body Acceptance of TOEFL

Not all Australian skills assessment bodies accept TOEFL iBT. Before booking, confirm that your specific assessing authority recognises TOEFL results.

If your skills assessment body does not accept TOEFL, you will need to sit a different test for the skills assessment even if DHA accepts your TOEFL result for the visa application. In this scenario, it is more efficient to sit one test that satisfies both requirements — typically IELTS or PTE.

Cost, Availability, and Logistics

TOEFL iBT is administered globally by ETS at authorised test centres and through the TOEFL iBT Home Edition.

• Test fee: Approximately 345 AUD in Australia (varies slightly by location)
• Test frequency: Multiple dates available per month at most test centres
• Results turnaround: 4 to 8 days after the test date, accessible through your ETS account
• Score validity: 2 years from the test date (ETS policy); DHA accepts results within 3 years of the test date — confirm current policy
• Score reporting: Scores can be sent directly to DHA and skills assessment bodies through ETS
• Resit policy: No mandatory waiting period; you can retake every 3 days
• Sub-test resit: Not available — you must retake the entire test
• Home edition: Available with remote proctoring for candidates without convenient test centre access

The test fee of approximately 345 AUD makes TOEFL the least expensive of the five accepted tests. However, the inability to resit individual sections means that a borderline score in one section requires retaking all four sections at the full test fee.

Preparation Strategy for TOEFL iBT

Targeting Competent English (12/13/21/18)

The Competent thresholds are achievable for applicants with intermediate English. The Listening and Reading thresholds (12 and 13 out of 30) are well below the midpoint of the scale. Writing at 21 and Speaking at 18 require functional academic communication but not advanced fluency. Focus on understanding the task formats and practising with official ETS materials to build familiarity with the integrated question types.

Targeting Proficient English (24/24/27/23)

Proficient English through TOEFL requires strong academic English across all four sections. The Writing threshold of 27 out of 30 demands well-structured, grammatically accurate responses with clear synthesis of source material. Preparation should prioritise integrated writing practice — reading a passage, listening to a related lecture, and writing a response that accurately represents both sources. Speaking preparation should focus on delivering organised responses within the time limits for each task.

Targeting Superior English (28/29/30/26)

Superior English through TOEFL is exceptionally demanding due to the Writing requirement of 30 out of 30. This requires near-perfect responses with advanced vocabulary, flawless grammar, and precise task completion. Before committing to this target, consider whether IELTS (8.0 each band) or PTE (79 each component) offers a more achievable path to 20 points. Review the full English test score comparison to make an informed decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I combine TOEFL scores from multiple sittings?

No. All four section scores must come from a single test sitting. TOEFL does offer a “MyBest Scores” feature that combines your highest section scores across multiple sittings, but the Department of Home Affairs does not accept MyBest Scores for migration purposes. Each section score must be from the same test date.

Is TOEFL iBT Home Edition accepted for Australian migration?

Yes. The Department of Home Affairs accepts the TOEFL iBT Home Edition as equivalent to the test centre version. The content, scoring, and score reporting are identical. The Home Edition uses remote proctoring via ProctorU. Ensure you meet the technical requirements (computer, internet, quiet private room) before booking.

I scored 29 in Writing. Does that meet the Superior threshold?

No. The Superior English threshold for TOEFL Writing is 30 — a perfect score. A Writing score of 29 means your overall classification falls to Proficient (assuming all other sections meet their Proficient thresholds). You would earn 10 points rather than 20. This one-point difference illustrates why the TOEFL Writing threshold for Superior is considered particularly challenging.

Should I switch from TOEFL to IELTS or PTE?

Consider switching if you are targeting Superior English and finding the TOEFL Writing threshold of 30 out of 30 unattainable. The equivalent IELTS Writing threshold is 8.0 out of 9.0 and PTE is 79 out of 90 — both more achievable for strong writers who are not quite at the perfect-score level. If you are targeting Competent or Proficient, TOEFL’s thresholds are comparable to other tests, and switching offers no clear advantage. See the full English test options for Australian PR for a detailed comparison.