By persmind team Scholarships in Australia Without IELTS
Last updated: 25 November 2025
Are you thinking about studying in Australia but the IELTS test is standing in your way? The good news is that access is still possible through officially recognized alternative routes. Many Australian universities grant an exemption from IELTS if you prove that your previous studies were in English (Letter of Medium of Instruction), or they accept alternatives such as TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo, or they offer conditional admission with an academic English course (ELICOS) before you start your degree. This opens the door to applying for partial and fully funded scholarships in in-demand fields such as engineering, IT, health, and business, without falling into the trap of misleading promises.
In this guide, we will explain how to find “Australia scholarships without IELTS” step by step: where to search, what the common conditions are, and how to prepare a compelling application file (academic CV, motivation letter, recommendations, and supporting activities). We will outline the available language alternatives and how to choose the one that best fits your time and budget, in addition to the difference between direct admission and conditional admission, and practical tips to increase your chances of funding.
Key idea
In Australia, the golden rule is: no university admission and no student visa without proof of English proficiency — but it does not have to be IELTS specifically. Most universities allow you to meet the language requirement through alternative tests (TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1/C2, and sometimes OET for health fields), or through preparatory language pathways (ELICOS/Pathway) attached to a conditional offer, or through evidence of prior study/work in English according to each university’s policy. Always check the official requirements pages of each university, as details may differ between programs and faculties.
Important: some universities explicitly state that language requirements are not waived, but can be met in multiple ways (alternative tests, previous study, work…), while others allow conditional admission with an intensive language program (ELICOS) before academic study.
Scholarships in Australia Without IELTS
1) Officially recognized alternative tests
TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1/C2 (equivalent to the IELTS scores required for each program).
Official examples: the University of New South Wales lists acceptable tests (and clearly states which online versions are not accepted), and the University of Sydney publishes equivalence tables between tests.
2) Proof of Previous Study/Work in English
Universities such as UQ state that the language requirement can be met via test results, previous study, or work experience — according to published conditions. Make sure to read the details specific to each country/qualification.
3) Conditional Offer + Language Program (ELICOS/Pathway)
If your score is below the minimum, you can obtain a conditional offer that includes academic English/Pathway study (Monash College, UNSW Global, UQ College, etc.). These programs prepare you to meet university requirements and then place you into the degree.
Warning: reputable universities (such as UQ) state that the language requirement is not completely removed, but must be met through one of the approved methods — so don’t rely on promises of a “full exemption”.
What About Scholarships? Can You Get a Scholarship Without IELTS?
Major scholarships in Australia are usually tied to university admission. Since admission requires proof of language proficiency, so…
An international student benefiting from Australia scholarships without IELTS 2025 – an opportunity for free study at prestigious Australian universities
Your realistic path is:
Check the language requirements (by any approved means other than IELTS if you wish).
Apply for the scholarship after or in parallel with your admission application.
Special cases to note:
Australia Awards Scholarships (governmental): may fund Pre-Course English (PCE) if you are very close to the required score (for example, half an IELTS band or specific margins for TOEFL/PTE), which means you do not start academic study directly but improve your English first in a funded program. PCE details and margins are officially published in the policy handbook and on the DFAT page.
Destination Australia: new funding rounds stopped as of 1 July 2024 (only continuing recipients keep their support). So do not rely on it as a new pathway in 2025.
Bottom line: yes, you can apply for strong scholarships without IELTS specifically if you meet the language requirement through an alternative test/a language pathway/previous study; but having no English at all is not a realistic route for both admission and scholarship together.
The Best Scholarships/Pages Worth Starting With (Practically)
Australia Awards (governmental): comprehensive funding (tuition fees, living allowance, health insurance, flights, and PCE if needed). Start from the official page and policy handbook.
University of Sydney – Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships Scheme: up to AUD 60,000 for coursework programs, with a comprehensive search page for all university scholarships.
Monash International Merit Scholarship: up to AUD 15,000 per year (maximum AUD 75,000) for international students — recent details published officially.
University of Melbourne – Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship: 25% tuition fee remission for high-achieving students (a large number annually) + a search portal with more than 1,200 scholarships/awards.
Strategy to Enter Australia “Without IELTS”
Step 1 | Choose the language pathway that suits you (one of three):
PTE Academic / TOEFL iBT / Cambridge instead of IELTS.
Proof of study/work in English if your university/experience meets the published criteria.
Conditional offer + ELICOS/Pathway (Monash College / UNSW Global / UQ College).
Step 2 | Apply first to 3 strong scholarships/universities:
Australia Awards (selected developing countries + PCE when needed).
Monash International Merit.
Vice-Chancellor’s (University of Sydney).
Step 3 | Prepare 3 documents with care:
Personal statement linking your experience to the program goals.
Your CV (1–2 pages, with measurable achievements).
Two recent academic recommendation letters.
Smart timing: start 9–12 months before your intended start date; this gives you time to secure a conditional offer + finish the language pathway + obtain the visa comfortably.
FAQ
Do universities grant a “full exemption” from language requirements?
Rule of thumb: no. Universities publish the ways to meet the requirement (alternative tests/study/work/language pathway). Some policies state clearly that the requirement is not waived but must be met through one of the approved routes.
Do universities accept online/at-home tests?
This varies by university. Official examples clearly state what is accepted and what is not (including some “online” versions). Always check your university’s page.
How can scholarships help if my English is below the required level?
Some government scholarships (Australia Awards) may fund Pre-Course English if you are close to the required score within a defined margin. Universities may also grant you a conditional offer with an ELICOS pathway before academic study.
Is Destination Australia still available as a new pathway?
No new funding rounds have been available since 1 July 2024; only existing recipients continue to receive support.
Official External Links
DFAT – Australia Awards Scholarships + Policy Handbook (PCE).
UQ – English language requirements and ways to meet them (tests/study/work).
UNSW – List of accepted tests (IELTS alternatives).
University of Sydney – Language requirements and equivalence tables.
Monash – English language policy + alternative pathways.
Conclusion
“Scholarships in Australia without IELTS” are practically possible if you understand the equation: English is required, but the path to proving it is flexible — approved alternative tests, previous study/work in English, or conditional admission with ELICOS. Link this to strong scholarships like Australia Awards and university scholarships (Monash, Sydney, Melbourne), and start early to build a complete language and academic profile — without misleading promises, and relying only on official pages.
Disclaimer: admission policies, accepted tests, and scholarship funding can change without notice; your final reference is always the official websites mentioned above.