• Section 1 - About this Procedure
• Purpose
• Scope
• Definitions
• Section 2 - Demonstrating English Language Proficiency 
• Section 3 - Approved Evidence
• Part A - English Language Tests
• Table 1 – Accepted English Language Tests
• Part B - EAP and Pathway Programs
• Table 2 – Recognised EAP Programs
• Table 3 - Recognised Enabling, Preparatory and Pathway Programs
• Part C - Prior Study Undertaken in English
• Table 4 – Recognised English Language Countries
• Table 5 – Recognised Senior Secondary Qualifications
• Part D - Accumulation of English Proficiency
• Section 4 - Roles and Responsibilities
• Section 5 - Appendices

Section 1 - About this Procedure

Purpose

(1) This Procedure sets out how applicants may demonstrate that they meet the English language proficiency requirement for the program to which they are seeking admission, and how the University will assess that evidence for admission purposes.

(2) This Procedure should be read in conjunction with the English Language Proficiency Policy.

Scope

(3) This Procedure applies to:

1. applicants seeking admission to a University program within the scope of the English Language Proficiency Policy; and
2. University staff and staff of controlled entities and partner institutions who are involved in assessing evidence of English language proficiency for admission purposes.

Definitions

(4) For the purposes of this Procedure:

1. “Admissions Officer” means any staff member of the University, or an employee of a controlled entity or a partner institution who is involved in assessing applications for admission purposes;
2. “Recognised English language country” means a country that is recognised by the University as having English as an official language, or as a language used for official, legal or educational purposes. Recognised English language countries are listed in Table 4, in Section 3, Part C of this procedure.

Section 2 - Demonstrating English Language Proficiency 

(5) Applicants are responsible for providing evidence as part of their application for admission that demonstrates how they meet the English language proficiency requirement for the program to which they have applied.

(6) The relevant Admissions Officer must assess the evidence provided by an applicant against the English language requirement for the relevant program and in accordance with the provisions of this Procedure. 

(7) An applicant may demonstrate their English language proficiency by providing evidence of:

1. completion of an accepted English language test(see Section 3 Part A – English Language Test);
2. completion of an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program or non-award enabling, preparatory or pathway program (See Section 3 Part B – EAP and Pathway Programs);
3. completion of an accepted level of prior study, where the medium of instruction was English (see Section 3 Part C –Prior Study Undertaken in English); or
4. accumulation of English proficiency through a combination of qualification(s), employment and/or life experiences (see Section 3 Part D – Accumulation of English).

(8) The evidence provided by an applicant must meet the relevant conditions and requirements specified in Section 3 of this Procedure.

(9) Where the initial evidence provided by an applicant is insufficient to demonstrate the English language proficiency required for the applicant's program, the relevant Admissions Officer may:

1. request the applicant provide additional evidence for assessment;
2. make a conditional offer of admission subject to the applicant providing additional evidence demonstrating the required English language proficiency before commencement of the program; or
3. make an offer of admission via the English Language Bridging Program or another non-award enabling, preparatory, or pathway program offered by the University.

(10) In exceptional circumstances, where an applicant is unable to provide evidence as specified in Section 3, the applicant may request that alternative forms of evidence be considered to demonstrate their English language proficiency. In such cases:

1. the relevant Admissions Officer may seek consideration of alternative evidence through a Record of Academic Decision (RAD) by an authorised delegate; and
2. the outcome determined by the authorised delegate will not establish a precedent for admission or non-admission to any program.

(11) Any decision made on behalf of or by the University in determining an Applicant's English language proficiency is final and is not able to be appealed internally. An applicant may seek to appeal such a decision via the National Student Ombudsman (NSO).

Section 3 - Approved Evidence

Part A - English Language Tests

(12) An applicant may demonstrate that they meet the English language proficiency requirement for their program by providing evidence that they have completed an accepted English language test, with a result that meets the overall and test section minimum score requirements.

(13) Accepted English language tests, and the equivalencies of overall and test section minimum scores, are specified in Table 1.

(14) The English language test must have been undertaken within two years prior to the commencement date of the program to which the applicant is applying.

(15) The University will accept an IELTS One Skill Retake result, which permits an applicant to re-take one component of an IELTS test (Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking) within 50 days of completing the original IELTS test.

(16) Where an applicant relies on an IELTS One Skill Retake result, the original IELTS test must have been undertaken within two years prior to the commencement date of the program to which the applicant is applying.

Table 1 – Accepted English Language Tests

Part B - EAP and Pathway Programs

(17) An applicant may demonstrate that they meet the English language proficiency requirement for their program by providing evidence that they have completed:

1. a recognised English for Academic Purposes (EAP) or other English language preparatory program, as specified in Table 2; or
2. a recognised non-award enabling, preparatory, or pathway program, as specified in Table 3.

(18) The relevant program must have been completed within five years prior to the commencement date of the program to which the applicant is applying, unless the applicant provides evidence that demonstrates they have maintained English language proficiency since completing the program.

(19) Evidence that an applicant has maintained English language proficiency may include, but is not limited to:

1. citizenship or residency in an English language country (see Table 4 in Part C for recognised English language countries);
2. employment in a position requiring regular use of English;
3. additional study undertaken in English, whether complete or incomplete;
4. professional practice or other activities that require the regular use of English; or
5. other evidence accepted by the University as demonstrating the applicant's continued use of English.

Table 2 – Recognised EAP Programs

Table 3 - Recognised Enabling, Preparatory and Pathway Programs

Part C - Prior Study Undertaken in English

(20) An applicant may demonstrate that they meet the English language proficiency requirement for their program by providing evidence that they have completed an accepted level of prior study where the medium of instruction was English.

(21) For study completed in a recognised English language country specified in Table 4, the prior study must be:

1. a completed senior secondary qualification; or
2. a completed tertiary qualification equivalent to:
   1. AQF level 4 or higher for domestic applicants; or
   2. AQF level 5 or higher for international applicants; or
   3. successful completion of at least one year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent), towards a qualification equivalent to AQF level 7 or higher.

(22) For study completed in a country not specified in Table 4, the prior study must be:

1. a recognised senior secondary qualification as specified in Table 5, where the applicant has achieved the result necessary to meet the IELTS equivalency required for their program;
2. completion of a qualification listed in Appendix 2 – Medium of Instruction Register;
3. a completed qualification equivalent to AQF level 7 or higher, where the applicant provides evidence that the medium of instruction was English; or
4. for applicants to non-award study abroad or exchange programs only, successful completion of at least one year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent), towards a qualification equivalent to AQF level 7 or higher.

(23) Prior study must have been completed within five years prior to the commencement date of the program to which the applicant is applying, unless the applicant provides evidence that demonstrates they have maintained English language proficiency since completing the study.   

(24) Evidence that an applicant has maintained English language proficiency may include, but is not limited to:

1. citizenship or residency in an English language country (see Table 4 for recognised English language countries);
2. employment in a position requiring regular use of English;
3. additional study undertaken in English, whether complete or incomplete;
4. professional practice or other activities that require the regular use of English; or
5. other evidence accepted by the University as demonstrating the applicant's continued use of English.

Table 4 – Recognised English Language Countries

Table 5 – Recognised Senior Secondary Qualifications

Part D - Accumulation of English Proficiency

(25) An applicant may demonstrate that they meet the English language proficiency requirement for their program by providing evidence that they have achieved the required points in Appendix 3 – Accumulated English Proficiency for Coursework Programs.

(26) The accumulation of English proficiency pathway will only be considered where the applicant is unable to meet their program’s English requirements through another pathway specified in this Procedure.

(27) The accumulation of English proficiency pathways is not accepted for admission to Higher Degree by Research programs, or programs that require a higher English language proficiency than the English Language Proficiency Standard.

Section 4 - Roles and Responsibilities

(28) Applicants are responsible for:

1. providing accurate and complete information with their application for admission to demonstrate how they meet the English language proficiency requirement for the program to which they have applied; and
2. providing additional evidence where requested by the University.

(29) The relevant Admissions Officer is responsible for:

1. assessing an applicant’s English language proficiency in accordance with this Procedure;
2. requesting additional evidence where required;
3. seeking consideration of a RAD by the relevant authorised delegate on behalf of an applicant, where permitted under this Procedure; and
4. recording the outcome of the assessment of an applicant's English language proficiency in the relevant admissions record.

(30) Authorised delegates are responsible for considering alternative evidence of English language proficiency through a Record of Academic Decision.

(31) The University Registrar will report to Academic Senate on an annual basis to detail all RADs approved by authorised delegates.

(32) The Pro Vice-Chancellor Education Innovation is responsible for conducting a review of the efficacy of the University's process for meeting English language proficiency requirements every three years and will report outcomes to Academic Senate via the Teaching and Learning Committee.

(33) The Program and Course Approval Committee are responsible for:

1. approving or amending the English language proficiency requirements for individual programs, in accordance with program approval and revision procedures as specified in the Program Design and Management Manual; and
2. recommending, for Academic Senate approval, the addition of new qualifications to Appendix 2 – Medium of Instruction Register. 

Section 5 - Appendices

(34) Appendix 1 – Recognised ELICOS / EAP Programs and Results

(35) Appendix 2 – Medium of Instruction Register

(36) Appendix 3 – Accumulated English Proficiency for Coursework Programs