Everything you need to know about the IELTS Academic test fee in Australia and India, how to register step by step, what the fee includes, additional costs to budget for, and One Australia Group's expert coaching to get the most out of your investment.
✓ Australia — AUD $490✓ India — INR 19,000 (from April 2026)✓ One Skill Retake — AUD $310✓ Results in 1 day (computer-based AU)✓ Score valid for 2 years✓ No late booking fee✓ 5 free electronic TRF reports
The IELTS Academic test is the standard English proficiency requirement for university admissions, graduate programs and professional registrations across Australia, the UK, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. Here is a snapshot of the current standard fees for 2026.
Country / Region
IELTS Academic fee 2026
Notes
🇦🇺 Australia
AUD $490
All major cities — Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide
🇮🇳 India
INR 19,000
Effective April 1, 2026 — all cities incl. Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad
The IELTS Academic fee is identical whether you choose IELTS on Computer or IELTS on Paper. There are no hidden fees, no processing surcharges and no late booking fees. You pay a single transparent fee to secure your test slot.
⚠️ Always verify the current fee at the official IDP or British Council website at the time of registration — fees are subject to change.
Australia fees — full breakdown
All IELTS test types and additional services — Australia 2026.
Whether you are sitting in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide, the IELTS test fee in Australia remains consistent for standard tests. Prices below apply to major metropolitan test centres.
IELTS Test or Service
Fee (AUD)
Notes
IELTS Academic
$490
University admission, graduate programs, professional registration
IELTS General Training
$490
Skilled migration, work visas, partner visas
IELTS for UKVI Academic
$505
UK visa and immigration authority requirement
IELTS for UKVI General Training
$505
UK visa and immigration authority requirement
IELTS Life Skills
$390
UK family visas — A1 and B1 speaking and listening
IELTS One Skill Retake
$310
Retake a single section within 60 days — save $180 vs full test
Enquiry on Results (Remark)
$230
Refunded in full if your score improves after review
💡 One Skill Retake at $310 is a smart option if you are within range in three sections but need to improve just one. At $180 less than the full test, it is a cost-effective path to your target band without repeating all four sections.
India fees — April 2026 update
IELTS exam fee in India 2026 — what has changed.
As of April 1, 2026, the standard IELTS exam fee in India has increased from INR 18,000 to INR 19,000. This applies to both IELTS on Computer and IELTS on Paper across all cities in India.
IELTS Test or Service
Fee (INR)
Notes
IELTS Academic
₹19,000
Effective April 1, 2026 · Incl. applicable taxes
IELTS General Training
₹19,000
Effective April 1, 2026
IELTS for UKVI Academic
₹19,250
UK visa requirement
IELTS for UKVI General Training
₹19,250
UK visa requirement
IELTS Life Skills
₹18,000
UK family visa speaking and listening
Enquiry on Results (Remark)
₹13,500
Refunded if score improves after review
⚠️ Important: Paper-based IELTS tests in India will be discontinued from late June 2026. If you strongly prefer the paper format, book your test immediately before this option closes.
What the fee includes
What does the IELTS Academic fee actually cover?
✓
All four test components— Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking are all included in the single registration fee.
✓
One official Test Report Form (TRF)— your verified IELTS result certificate, available online and in physical form.
✓
Five free electronic TRF reports— sent to universities, immigration authorities or employers of your choice at no additional cost.
✓
Free online preparation course— IDP provides access to a free IELTS preparation course upon booking in Australia.
✓
Fast results— within 1 day for computer-based tests in Australia; within 13 days for paper-based tests. No additional charge for faster results.
No hidden costs: No GST surcharge in Australia, no online payment processing fee and no separate administration charge. In India, the INR 19,000 fee is inclusive of all applicable taxes.
Academic vs General Training
IELTS Academic or General Training — which do you need?
Both tests share the same fee in Australia and India, but they serve very different purposes. Booking the wrong test type means your scores will not be accepted — and you will need to pay the full fee again.
IELTS Academic — Who needs it
IELTS General Training — Who needs it
University and college admissions
Work visas and skilled migration
Graduate and postgraduate programs
Australian PR (subclass 189, 190, 491)
Professional registration — nursing, medicine, engineering
Employer-sponsored visas (482)
Student visa applications (subclass 500)
Partner and family visa applications
Competitive academic scholarships
Vocational training programs
⚠️ Not sure which test you need? Contact One Australia Group before you register. Our advisors confirm the correct test type for your specific visa or institution — preventing a costly re-booking at $490.
How to register
How to register for IELTS Academic in Australia — 7 steps.
The IELTS Academic registration process is fully online and straightforward when you know the steps. Here is how to complete your booking in Australia for 2026.
1
Choose your test format
Decide between IELTS on Computer (recommended — faster results, available up to 7 days a week, 3 times a day) or IELTS on Paper. Both are equally valid and carry the same fee. Computer-based is the default choice for most candidates in Australia in 2026.
💡 Choose Computer-based for results in as little as 1 day vs 13 days for paper.
2
Find your nearest test centre
Use the official IDP IELTS website to locate an authorised test centre. Major centres are in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra. Filter by date availability to find a slot that suits your timeline and preparation schedule.
3
Select your test date
Choose a date that gives you adequate preparation time. For computer-based tests, you can book as late as 24 hours before the exam at no extra charge. Popular dates in Melbourne and Sydney fill up quickly — book early if you have a visa or admission deadline.
💡 One Australia Group can help you plan your test date relative to your visa lodge or application deadline.
4
Create your IELTS account
Register on the official IDP portal at ielts.idp.com. Ensure all personal details — full name, date of birth, nationality — match your passport exactly. Any mismatch may result in denied entry on test day without a refund.
5
Upload your identification
Submit a valid, current passport. This is mandatory for all candidates. At most Australian test centres, no other form of identification is accepted on test day. Ensure your passport will be in your possession on the test date — if it is with the immigration authority, request its return in advance.
6
Complete payment
Pay the AUD $490 IELTS Academic fee via credit card, debit card, PayPal or Apple Pay. The IDP website uses SSL encryption for secure processing. Full payment is required upfront — no instalment options are available. Ensure your payment is successful before closing the browser.
7
Receive booking confirmation
After payment you will receive a confirmation email with your test date, time and location, plus access to a free online preparation course from IDP. Save this confirmation — you will need it on test day along with your passport.
✅ Start One Australia Group coaching immediately after booking to maximise your preparation window.
Additional costs
Other IELTS costs to budget for.
Beyond the standard AUD $490 test fee, there are a few additional costs candidates should factor into their budget before registering.
🔁
$310
IELTS One Skill Retake — Australia
Retake a single component — Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking — within 60 days of receiving your original results. At $310 vs $490 for the full test, you save $180. Ideal if you are close to your target in three sections but need one section to improve.
📝
$230
Enquiry on Results (Remark) — Australia
Submit an Enquiry on Results (EOR) within six weeks of your test if you believe your score does not reflect your ability. In Australia this costs AUD $230. In India it is INR 13,500. If your score improves as a result of the review, the full remark fee is refunded.
📅
Rescheduling & Cancellation — Australia
In Australia, a partial refund is available if you cancel more than five weeks before the test date. Cancellations made within five weeks of the test are non-refundable. Rescheduling fees apply depending on how close to the test date you request the change.
Rescheduling & Cancellation — India
In India, rescheduling fees range from INR 3,200 to INR 4,850 depending on the test type and timing of the request. A 75% refund applies if you cancel at least nine days before the test date. Always read the cancellation policy carefully before booking.
Payment methods
How to pay your IELTS Academic fee.
💳
Credit & Debit Card
Visa, Mastercard and American Express accepted. Ensure your card is authorised for online international transactions.
🅿️
PayPal
Pay securely via your PayPal account. Useful if you prefer not to enter card details directly on the booking portal.
🍎
Apple Pay
Available for candidates completing their booking on an Apple device with Apple Pay configured. Quick and secure checkout.
⚠️
No instalments available
Full payment of AUD $490 is required upfront at the time of registration. No pay-later, Afterpay or instalment options are available for the IELTS registration fee directly through IDP.
💳
Credit & Debit Card
All major Indian bank cards accepted through the IDP India payment portal. SSL-encrypted processing.
🏦
Net Banking
Online bank transfers via major Indian banks available on the IDP India portal.
📱
UPI
Unified Payments Interface — pay via Google Pay, PhonePe or BHIM UPI directly from the IDP booking page.
🧾
Demand Draft / Bank Deposit
Payable to IDP Education India Private Limited. Bank deposit options also available — confirm current details on the IDP India portal at time of booking.
All online payments are processed through secure SSL-encrypted gateways. Full payment is required upfront at the time of registration on both the IDP Australia and IDP India portals.
IELTS Academic score validity and what happens after your test.
2 years
Score validity from test date
Your IELTS Academic results are valid for two years globally. Australian universities, the Department of Home Affairs and professional bodies all recognise scores within this two-year window. Plan your test date to ensure results remain valid at decision time.
1 day
Results — computer-based in Australia
Computer-based IELTS results in Australia are typically available within 1 to 3 days. Paper-based results take up to 13 days. Your Test Report Form is sent digitally to up to five institutions at no additional cost.
Score requirement
Purpose
Overall Band 6.0–6.5
Most Australian undergraduate university programs and student visa (subclass 500)
Overall Band 7.0+
Most postgraduate and competitive programs · IELTS General Training for skilled migration points
Band 7.0 in every section
AHPRA nursing registration — no averaging, each section must individually meet 7.0
Band 7.5 Listening & Speaking, 7.0 Reading & Writing
Teaching registration (most Australian states)
Registration tips
Tips to make the most of your IELTS registration.
1
Book early — popular dates fill fast
Popular test dates in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane fill up quickly, especially around visa lodgement peaks. Early booking also gives you more preparation time with One Australia Group coaching.
2
Choose IELTS on Computer for faster results
Computer-delivered results in Australia are available in as little as one day, compared to 13 days for paper-based tests — a crucial difference when you have an application deadline approaching.
3
Verify your passport details first
Your full name, date of birth and nationality on your registration must exactly match your passport. Any mismatch can result in denied entry on test day with no refund — double-check before paying.
4
Confirm the correct test type before paying
Academic vs General Training, standard vs UKVI — booking the wrong type means paying $490 again. One Australia Group confirms the right test for your specific visa or institution before you register.
5
Use the free preparation materials
IDP provides a free online preparation course upon booking. One Australia Group supplements this with expert live coaching, timed mock tests on MockMaster.ai and personalised 1:1 feedback.
6
Plan your test date strategically
Allow enough time between your test date and your visa or application deadline, accounting for results turnaround time (1 day computer / 13 days paper) and any potential need to use the One Skill Retake option.
How One Australia Group helps
Expert IELTS Academic coaching — from registration to results.
Paying the IELTS Academic fee is only the first step. What ultimately determines your outcome is the quality of your preparation. One Australia Group offers comprehensive IELTS Academic coaching designed for students targeting Australian university entry, skilled migration and professional registration.
Structured classes covering all four IELTS skills — Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
Targeted Writing Task 1 and Task 2 feedback from qualified IELTS trainers
Full-length timed mock tests under real exam conditions — certified scorecard
Speaking practice with fluency, coherence and pronunciation coaching
Band score prediction and gap analysis — know exactly which sections to target
Flexible online (Zoom) and Melbourne campus class formats
End-to-end guidance on which IELTS score meets your specific visa or registration requirement
Free AI mock tests on MockMaster.ai — practice between coaching sessions 24/7
Start IELTS Academic preparation today.
One Australia Group's IELTS coaching — Band 8.5 trainer, 5+ mock tests, unlimited 1:1 feedback. Melbourne CBD and online. New batches every Monday.
IELTS Academic fees and registration — frequently asked questions.
The IELTS Academic test fee in Australia is AUD $490 in 2026. This fee is the same for both IELTS on Computer and IELTS on Paper, and includes all four test components — Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking — plus one official Test Report Form and five free electronic TRF reports. There are no additional administration fees, GST surcharges or late booking fees.
As of April 1, 2026, the IELTS Academic fee in India is INR 19,000, increased from the previous INR 18,000. This applies to both IELTS on Computer and IELTS on Paper across all cities in India including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune. The INR 19,000 fee is inclusive of all applicable taxes. Source: IDP India official fee schedule, effective April 2026.
No. IELTS does not charge a late booking fee. For IELTS on Computer in Australia, you can book your test up to 24 hours before the exam date with no additional charge. This flexibility makes computer-based IELTS particularly useful for candidates with tight timelines.
In Australia, a partial refund is available if you cancel more than five weeks before your test date. Cancellations made within five weeks of the test are non-refundable. In India, a 75% refund applies if you cancel at least nine days before the test. Always read the cancellation policy carefully at the time of booking, as conditions may vary by test centre and booking channel.
IELTS scores are valid for two years from the date you take the test. After two years, institutions and immigration authorities will not accept your results and you will need to retake the exam. For long-term plans like PR applications where the immigration process can extend over many months, plan your test date carefully to ensure your scores remain valid at decision time.
The IELTS One Skill Retake allows you to retake a single section — Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking — within 60 days of receiving your original results, rather than paying for the full test again. In Australia, this costs AUD $310, saving you $180 compared to a full retake at $490. It is an excellent option if you met your band requirement in three sections but need to improve just one. One Australia Group offers targeted section-wise coaching specifically for candidates using this option.
Ready to book your IELTS test? Let's get you prepared.
One Australia Group guides you through registration, confirms the right test type for your goal, and coaches you to your target band score. Band 8.5 trainer · Melbourne & online · New batches every Monday.
