August has been a busy month for IELTS and migration policy. From new government agreements to updated guidance for schools, several changes affect how students and institutions approach English testing.
For test takers, the good news is clear: IELTS remains the most trusted exam for study, work, and migration. The introduction of One Skill Retake (OSR) continues to give candidates an advantage, while the UK and Australia reaffirm IELTS as their preferred option.
For schools and agents, new resources such as the IELTS Scores Guide provide practical support in setting fair and transparent entry requirements — helping ensure that language expectations match real-world academic and professional demands.
Here’s a round-up of what’s new this month…
The Latest IELTS News
🇦🇺 IELTS Still Approved for Australian Visas — Including OSR
Good news if you’re heading to Australia for work, study or migration.
The Australian government has renewed its agreement with IELTS — confirming it as a trusted English test for the next three years. This includes partners like IDP, British Council, and Cambridge.
Even better, One Skill Retake (OSR) is still accepted for most visas. That means:
🎯 You can retake just one section (Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking) — instead of sitting the whole test again.
One of our students recently used OSR to bump up their Writing score without wasting time or money on a full retake – or more lessons!
⚠️ Important: Visas 476, 482, and 485 still require the full test in one sitting.
This renewal confirms what many already know — IELTS remains the most flexible, reliable, and widely accepted exam by immigration authorities.
New IELTS Guide Offers Support on Setting Score Requirements
On 18 August 2025, IELTS released a new guide to help schools, universities, and professional bodies set English language requirements that are both fair and realistic.
The aim isn’t to standardise scores across all institutions — but to offer a clear, flexible framework for deciding what makes sense in your own context.
The guide outlines a simple five-step process:
- Involve the right people in the conversation
- Review existing data and course demands
- Run a collaborative workshop to set appropriate score levels
- Communicate the final decision clearly — both internally and to applicants
- Use tools like the IELTS Results Service to keep things running smoothly
There are also useful extras — including example student responses, CEFR comparisons, examiner notes, and sample wording for admissions pages.
In short, this resource helps institutions make informed, transparent decisions — and gives applicants a better understanding of what’s expected.
Australia Expands International Student Placements
Australia has increased the cap on international student placements from 270,000 to 295,000 for the upcoming year, with priority given to students from Southeast Asia. Universities can apply for more spots if they guarantee student housing and engagement plans.
UK Tightens Language Requirements to Favour Computer-Based IELTS
UK institutions and your local embassy now increasingly prefer computer-based IELTS.
Paper based tests are increasingly out of favour since it is far easier to cheat and applying with the results of a paper test may invite closer scrutiny.
Further Reading
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See you in September!