Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I apply to sit for an IELTS exam?
2. What happens if I am absent on the day of the test without giving any prior notice?
3. Will I get a refund if I cancel my application?
4. What can I do if I am unhappy with my results?
5. Which IELTS exam do I need to take?
8. How long is my test valid for?
9. Do you have a waiting list?
10. Do I need to have a passport to apply or can I use my drivers licence?
11. Are there courses I can take to help me prepare for the IELTS test?
12. Can I transfer my test to another date?
13. What do I need to bring to the test?
14. Can I purchase some material to help me prepare for the test?
15. What help is available for special needs candidates?
16. What am I allowed to take into the exam room?
17. Who do I make out the Cheques or Money Orders to?
1. How do I apply to sit for an IELTS exam?
You can apply to sit for an IELTS exam in two ways -either by post, or in person. If you are paying by debit card or cash, you can apply at the Student Centre, which is open Monday Thursday 9-4.30pm and Fridays from 9-4pm. If you are paying by credit card, you can apply at the IELTS Office in Building 16A. If you are mailing your application, you will need a copy of the photo and personal information page of your passport, and the page showing the expiry date of your passport, plus passport photos no more than six months old (a copy of your visa is not required). All the forms can be downloaded from www.canberra.edu.au/uceli/ielts/howtoapply. Back to top.
2. What happens if I am absent on the day of the test without giving any prior notice?
If you are absent on the day you will lose your $330 registration fee. If, however, you are sick on the day and are able to obtain a doctors certificate (this must be produced within five days of the date of your test), and providing that you were suffering from a serious illness on the day of the test, you will be allowed to transfer your application to a later test date. You will need to pay a $80 administration fee for this transfer. Back to top.
3. Will I get a refund if I cancel my application?
If you cancel at least five weeks before your test date, you will receive $250 back (IELTS will charge a $80 administration fee for cancelling your registration). If you cancel after the five week cut-off date you will not receive any refund. Back to top.
4. What can I do if I am unhappy with my results?
If you are unhappy with your results, you can apply to have them remarked by a senior examiner. This appeal process is called an Enquiry on Results and the fee is $176. This fee is refunded if you are successful with your appeal. The appeal process takes approximately six weeks, and you will need to return your original Test Report Form to the IELTS office as part of your application for an appeal. You must lodge your Enquiry on Results application within 6 weeks of the test date. Back to top.
5. Which IELTS exam do I need to take?
There are two modules in the IELTS exam, General Training and Academic. Generally, if you are applying for Permanent Residency, you will need to take the General Training Module of the IELTS exam. Applicants who are applying for University, or registering as a Nurse, Medical Practitioner or Teacher in Australia, will need to take the Academic Module. Australian Citizens who wish to work in either the UK or Canada as a Doctor, Nurse or Teacher will also need to take the Academic Module of the IELTS exam. Please check which module you need to sit with the relevant institution before submitting your application. Back to top.
6. Can I apply by post?
Yes, you can. Please include a copy of the photo and personal information page of your passport, the page showing the expiry date of your passport, and two recent passport photos. All the forms can be downloaded from www.canberra.edu.au/uceli/ielts/howtoapply and need to be sent to the IELTS Registration Office, Building 16A, University of Canberra, CANBERRA ACT 2601. Back to top.
7. When can I get my results?
Results are mailed from the IELTS office thirteen days after the test date. Results cannot be released by phone or by email. All results will also be posted on our website on the thirteenth day after the test. If you would like to collect your results from the IELTS office, please phone the office before the day the results are released. Additional copies can be mailed to DIAC, University admission offices and/or other authorised institutions (migration agents and lawyers are not authorised to receive TRFs). Back to top.
8. How long is my test valid for?
Your test is valid for two years from the test date. Back to top.
9. Do you have a waiting list?
There is a waiting list for applicants who have already registered for a test date. You will need to contact the IELTS office and ask to be placed on the waiting list. Back to top.
10. Do I need to have a passport to apply or can I use my drivers licence?
You must have a passport to apply, and your passport must be valid on the date of the test. You can apply with a passport which will expire before the date of the test, however it must be valid by the time you take the test. No other form of ID is acceptable. Back to top.
11. Are there courses I can take to help me prepare for the IELTS test?
IELTS Preparation Courses are run reguarly by the University of Canberra English Language Institute (UCELI). Please contact Glenda Johansen on 6201 2982 for further information. Back to top.
12. Can I transfer my test to another date?
You can transfer your test for a fee of $80 as long as you apply five weeks before the test date. Any application received after this date will incur another charge of $330. Back to top.
13. What do I need to bring to the test?
The most important thing to bring to your speaking test and main test is your passport. If you forget your passport, you will not be allowed to sit the test and you will forfeit your test fee. You will also need to bring pens, pencils, an eraser and a pencil sharpener. However, please make sure these are in a plastic bag or a transparent pencil case. Mobile phones and other personal belongings are not allowed in the test room. A store room is set up next to the exam room for your belongings. Back to top.
14. Can I purchase some materials to help me prepare for the test?
The IELTS office has two books for sale - The Official IELTS Practice Materials Book for $35 and the IELTS Top Tips book for $20. Alternatively, there are various IELTS preparation text books for sale at university bookstores. Back to top.
15. What help is available for special needs candidates?
The test centre makes every effort to cater for special needs candidates to enable them to perform on an equal footing with other candidates. It is our aim that the language level of all candidates, irrespective of disability, be assessed fairly and objectively. Candidates with special needs are advised to apply at least three months in advance to enable appropriate arrangements to be made. Back to top.
16. What am I allowed to take into the exam room?
Only your passport, desk label (distributed on the morning of the test date), pens, pencils, erasers and pencil sharpeners are allowed into the exam room. Correction fluid must not be used. All belongings that are not permitted in the test room must be left in the storage room. Mobile phones (and any other electronic devices) must be switched off and placed with personal belongings in the store room. Any candidate who deliberately takes their phone (or other electronic device) into the test room will be disqualified and will not be issued a TRF. Back to top.
17. Who do I make out Cheques or Money Orders to?
Bank cheques and money orders must be made out to the University of Canberra. Back to top.