Non-English speaking background

If you can’t demonstrate that you have completed six years of schooling at an English medium institution in an English-speaking country before the age of 19, you can meet the English language requirements in one of the following ways.

Secondary schooling

You can meet the English language requirements if you have one of the following:

• a study score of 25 in units 3 and 4 of Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English, VCE Literature, or VCE English Language
• a study score of 25 in units 3 and 4 of VCE English as an Additional Language (EAL) – applicable for the 2026 and 2027 intakes only, or
• an equivalent result in an equivalent English subject in a senior secondary qualification or foundation program, as specified in the study credit and admissions eligibility search. If your qualification is not listed, the English subject you have completed will be assessed by Monash when you apply.

Tertiary study (including VET and higher education)

You can meet the English language requirements if you have successfully completed one of the following:

• at least half a year of full-time study in an English medium institution (equivalent to at least 24 Monash credit points) at Australian VET diploma level (AQF Level 5) or equivalent (or higher), or
• an Australian masters by research or doctoral degree, or equivalent, from an English medium institution.

English test

If you don't meet the English language requirements for a course (but you meet all other entry requirements), the most common way to demonstrate your English proficiency is to achieve the required score in one of the following English tests:

• IELTS (Academic)
• IELTS (Academic) UKVI
• IELTS One Skill Retake (Academic)
• IELTS One Skill Retake (Academic) UKVI
• IELTS Online (Academic)
• TOEFL iBT
• TOEFL Essentials
• Pearson Test of English (Academic)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) UKVI
• C1 Advanced (Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English)
• C2 Proficiency (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• LanguageCert Academic
• AEMG English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Direct Entry Program (DEP) (accepted for the 2026 intake only)

Other English tests may also be accepted and are assessed when you apply to Monash.

Minimum English test score requirements

Time limits

Time limits only apply if you can’t demonstrate that you have completed at least six years of schooling at an English medium institution in an English-speaking country (including Australia) before the age of 19. A time limit means that the English language measure must have been completed within three years before the course commencement date.

If you can demonstrate that you‘ve been living and working in Australia since completing your qualification, you may be eligible for an extension to this time limit.

If you‘ve completed multiple English language measures within the applicable time limit, the highest result will be accepted.

Living and working in an English-speaking country

There are some situations where you may have completed a qualification at an English medium institution or an English test more than three years ago, but have been living and working in an English-speaking country (including Australia) since.

In these cases,you may be able to demonstrate your English proficiency and extend the time limits applied to your qualification or English test.

Generally, you’ll need to provide evidence to show that you have been living and working in an English-speaking environment. This may include either:

• a reference or statement from a person with standing in the community (such as a school principal, doctor, or lawyer), or
• a work reference letter from your workplace, on their official letterhead.

These references or statements should confirm that you have been living or working in an English-speaking country (including Australia) in the past three years, and have demonstrated a good working knowledge of English.

If you have any questions about this, contact our admissions team.