Vocational Education and Training
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test that measures the language skills of people who want to study or work in places where English is used as a language of communication.
CDU provides IELTS test locations in Darwin and Alice Springs. Participants can choose to enrol in an Intensive Preparation Workshop offered by CDU or access self-study materials.
This is to share information on health precautions we have introduced in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Thank you in advance for working with us as we follow the advice of local health authorities.
Please do not attend your test if (on test day):
If any of the above applies to you, please contact the test centre.
For updates regarding COVID-19, please visit Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 Advice.
The test uses a 9-band scale to identify skill level, from non-user (band score 1) through to expert (band score 9).
IELTS is available in two test formats – Academic or General Training – and provides a valid and accurate assessment of the four key language skills:
The IELTS Academic test is for people applying for Higher Education or professional registration in an English speaking environment. The test assesses some of the features of academic language and determines whether you are ready to begin studying or training.
This approach is widely supported by institutions that recognise IELTS.
The IELTS General Training test is for people who are going to English speaking countries for secondary education, work experience or training programs. It is also a requirement for migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. The test focuses on basic survival skills in broad social and workplace contexts.
IELTS treats all candidates with the utmost fairness and respect by actively avoiding cultural bias and by accepting all standard varieties of native-speaker English, including North American, British, Australian and New Zealand English.
| Assessed skill | Duration |
|---|---|
Listening | 30 minutes |
Reading | 60 minutes |
Writing | 60 minutes |
Speaking | 11 to 14 minutes |
For further information visit IELTS or download the Information for Candidates Booklets.
Your First Name (Given Name/Other Name) must be entered exactly as it is in your passport.
If you don’t have a Family Name (Surname/Last Name), please put a hyphen or dash (-) in the field.
The copy of your passport must clearly show the following:
If you would like the Test Centre to send copies of your test results to a professional organisation, fill in the relevant details on the Recognising Organisationspage.
The Test Report Form (TRF) will not be sent to Employers, Migration or Education Agents. Make sure you provide the correct address of the organisation for postage of results.
The cost of your test is determined by the reason you are taking the test:
Please note: there is an additional Test Administration Fee of $176.00 if you are taking the test in Alice Springs because this is an Off-Site test venue.
Other related IELTS fees can be made by visiting Web Pay:
Important:
To prepare for the test, you can enrol in CDU's IELTS Intensive Preparation Workshop. The workshop is held before the IELTS test.
Download and complete the IELTS workshop form to apply.
You can visit IELTS Essentials to find preparation advice, hints and tips to do your best in the IELTS test.
You can also complete the IELTS Writing Assist task and get a written report by an English language expert.
The written report will give you personalised feedback on your writing skills. This will indicate your strengths, weaknesses and give you recommendations for improvement.
You will need to be at the meeting point prior to the commencement of the test.
From the meeting point, you will be collected and taken to the examination venue.
You must arrive before 8:00am and no later than 8:30am for test registration.
Darwin candidates - CDU Building Red 6, Casuarina campus
Alice Springs candidates - at the Foyer of CDU Alice Springs Info-Shop and CDU Alice Springs Library
Test centres are not permitted to give results over the phone, by fax, to scan or to email.
Test Results can be viewed on the IELTS Results page 13 days after your test date. The results will only be available for 28 days.
The Test Centre will not accept any responsibility in the event that your result fails to display online, due to technical fault or administrative procedures.
The preview of test result online is provisional and may not be used as an official confirmation of test achievement.
Candidates will receive only one copy of their Test Report Form (TRF). Candidates can collect their TRF in person from the Test Centre the from 1:00pm the day after the results are made available online.
Please bring your passport to collect your TRF. A letter of authority to collect an IELTS test result is required if someone other than yourself is collecting your test result.
If you would like your TRF posted to you, please advise the Test Centre by emailing ieltsenquiry@cdu.edu.au. Uncollected TRFs will be posted after six weeks.
Replacement copies of the original TRF will not be issued in the event of loss or damage. However, additional copies can be requested (up to 5 copies) but will be mailed directly to Immigration, University admission offices, professional registration bodies or other authorised institutions only. Migration agents/lawyers are not authorised to receive TRFs.
To have your test results reprinted, a fee of is $33.00 charged. You can only reprint your test results within two years of the test day.
Preview your test results online at IELTS.
Please note: When viewing your results online, make sure that you enter your full name and other information exactly as your test desk label.
We will make every effort to accommodate test takers with special needs. If you have a permanent disability, such as visual, hearing, or specific learning difficulties, which requires modified materials, extra time, or use of technology etc, you can apply for Special Arrangement.
Special Arrangement requests must be supported by medical evidence. Medical evidence must be in the form of a specialist assessment or report given by a qualified professional no more than two years before the test date.
Requests for Special Arrangements should be made 2-3 months before your test date. Please make an appointment to see the Test Centre Administrator or visit our Test Centre before booking the test online.
No. You can only make bookings online at my.ieltsessentials.com.
On test day, please make sure you bring your passport. You are also allowed to take water in a clear bottle.
Please do not bring:
Your belongings will be stored in a room while you take your test.
If you are sick on the day of your test, please get a medical certificate (within 5 days of the test date) and send it to the Test Centre. Providing you had a serious illness on the day, you will be allowed to move your test to a later date.
A fee of $103 will be charged if a refund is required.
If you fail your test, you can retake it at any time by booking in for another test. However, we highly recommend you do additional study before taking the test again.
If you think your results might be incorrect, you can apply for a re-mark by a senior examiner. This is called an Enquiry on Results (EOR) and the fee is $176.00.
If you are successful with your appeal, the EOR fee will be refunded. The appeal process can take anywhere between 3 days to 3 weeks. You must return your original Test Report Form (TRF) as part of the appeal.
An EOR must be lodged within six weeks of the test date.
IELTS Test Centre
Charles Darwin University
Casuarina Campus
Building 4, Orange Precinct, Level 2
E: ieltsenquiry@cdu.edu.au
T: (08) 8946 6079
Opening hours
Closed on weekends and Public Holidays.