This registration standard sets out how an applicant for registration can demonstrate to the Boards that their competency in speaking and communicating in English is sufficient to practise the Chinese medicine, chiropractic, medical radiation practice, occupational therapy, optometry, osteopathy, pharmacy, physiotherapy, podiatry or psychology profession. For more information please visit the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency website. 

Does this standard apply to me?

This standard applies to all applicants for initial registration.

It does not apply if you are applying for non-practising registration or if you are a student.

What must I do?

If you are applying for initial registration you must demonstrate your English language competency in one of the following ways:

1. English is your primary language and you have undertaken and satisfactorily completed:

a) all of your primary and secondary education which was taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country, and

b) tertiary qualifications in the relevant professional discipline, which you are relying on to support your eligibility for registration under the National Law, which were taught and assessed solely in English.

OR

2. You have a combination of secondary education and tertiary qualifications, where you have undertaken and satisfactorily completed:

a. at least two years of your secondary education which was taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country, and

b. tertiary qualifications in the relevant professional discipline, which you are relying on to support your eligibility for registration under the National Law, which were taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country.

OR

3. You have undertaken and satisfactorily completed at least six years’ (full time equivalent) continuous education taught and assessed solely in English, in any of the recognised countries, which includes tertiary qualifications in the relevant professional discipline which you are relying on to support your eligibility for registration under the National Law.

OR

4. You achieve the required minimum scores in one of the following English language tests and meet the requirements for test results specified in this standard:

a. the IELTS (academic module) with a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).

NOTE: We will only accept test results:

i. from one test sitting, or

ii. a maximum of two test sittings in a six month period only if:

• you achieve a minimum overall score of 7 in each sitting, and
• you achieve a minimum score of 7 in each component across the two sittings, and
• no score in any component of the test is below 6.5