Australian Immigration Daily News

The TOEFL® program provides a paper testing alternative to the TOEFL iBT® test in areas of the world where internet access is unreliable. A very small number of candidates—less than 3%—take the paper version of the TOEFL test.

In 2017, the TOEFL Paper-based Test (PBT) was replaced with a new paper test called the revised TOEFL Paper-delivered Test, which was first administered on 14 October 2017. The new test has three sections – reading, listening and writing – with the same types of questions as the TOEFL iBT test, and the same score scale of 0-30 for each section.

TOEFL PBT scores remain a valid option for student visa applicants until 2 years from the test date. The last valid scores will expire in 2019.

Scores from revised TOEFL Paper-delivered Tests taken after 27 May 2018 will not be accepted for student visas by the Department of Home Affairs.

The new legislative instrument IMMI18/015 repeals the old instrument IMMI16/019 and removes the TOEFL PBT as an accepted English-language test. The new IMMI 18/015 will apply to all applicants who lodge their visa application on or after 27 May 2018. Transitional arrangements will be made for those who took the new TOEFL paper test between 14 October 2017 and 27 May 2018.

Note the TOEFL iBT test continues to be an accepted English-language test. Test requirements are listed on the Department’s website: www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/visa-1/500-?modal=/visas/supporting/Pages/500/English-test-score.aspx 

If you have further queries regarding this issue, please contact Helen Cook at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.