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Entry Requirements

International applications will be assessed by TAFE SA International Unit against each of the following criteria:

  • academic entry criteria
  • English language proficiency
  • other program specific criteria which may include one or more of the following: interview, portfolio or aptitude testing
  • any legislative or government policy requirements (that is, requirements relating to student visas, Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) assessment)
  • any institution or university partner’s admission requirements (for packaged courses and offers and/or collaborative arrangements).

To check the specific academic and English language entry requirements for your chosen course, please visit the International Course Page.

Academic Entry Criteria

Each individual course at TAFE SA has academic entry criteria that students must meet to be eligible for enrolment in that course.  To check the specific academic entry requirements for your chosen course visit the International Course Pages. In general, the minimum academic entry is:

Most Foundation Studies Programs, particularly those offered by Australian Universities, are deemed equivalent to Year 12. 

  • Acceptance of Forecast / Provisional Results

    Students will receive a full offer (not conditional) unless indicated.

    International Baccalaureate: Mid-Semester Report (Term 3) with the school stamp and signature from IB Diploma Coordinator

    Cambodia: Provisional Certificate of Upper Secondary Education.

    Hong Kong: Forecast results not accepted for HKALE – Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination OR Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education

    Malaysia:  SPM, STPM (available each October to November before the SPM exam)

    Philippines: Grade 12 Senior High School Diploma. Provisional results based on the 1st semester of Year 12 for a July commencement.  Official academic transcript and final High School Diploma to be submitted by 31 May of the TAFE SA commencement year.

    Singapore/Malaysia/Hong Kong/Myanmar: Cambridge A Levels, O Levels, IGSCE (equiv to O Levels)

    Vietnam: Upper Secondary Education Graduation Diploma (Bang Tot nghiep Trung hoc Pho thong)

Additional Academic Entry Criteria 

Some courses require additional entry criteria.  For example,  Arts courses often require a portfolio or audition and Health courses an aptitude or skills test.  Visit the International Course Page for specific details. 

17 Years +

You must be 17 years or over prior to commencement date of studies at TAFE SA.  

21 Years +

If you don’t meet the academic entry requirements for your selected course, and you are over 21 years old, you may use your work experience to support your application.  You will need to provide a detailed Curriculum Vitae/Resume which outlines your work history and tasks.  This will be assessed by the relevant program area, and is assessed on a case by case basis. 

Equivalent Overseas Qualifications

The following overseas qualifications are recognised as being equivalent to Australian Years 10, 11 and 12 for entry onto our courses.

Where a score is not stated in the below table, satisfactory results of 50% minimum is required for all courses with the following exceptions where 60% minimum is required: 

  • All applicants from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan (60% in their top 4 Year 12 subjects). If any exams have been repeated the results of the resit must be submitted.
  • All Bachelor, Associate Degrees, Nursing and Dental courses 

  • Equivalent Overseas Qualifications

    Country TAFE SA
    Year 10/11 Equivalent* Year 12 Equivalent*
    Australia   Australian Year 12 Senior Secondary Certificate of Education – satisfactory completion of 50% minimum in all subjects
    Argentina Education Polimodal (General Education or Integrated technical education) / General
    or bachillerato school/technical and specialised school (Completion of Year 10 or Year 11)
    Bachillerato/Tecnico de Nivel Medio/Bachillerato Especializado
    BangladeshN/A Higher Secondary Certificate/vocational higher secondary certificate (Minimum CGPA is 3.5 or 60% in HSC/First Division pass) GCE A-level (2 passes)
    Bhutan Bhutan Middle Secondary School Certificate Bhutan Higher Secondary School Certificate 
    or Middle Secondary School Certificate plus 2 year relevant vocational diploma
    Brazil Certificado de Ensio Medio  (Year 10 or Year 11 equivalent) Certificado/diploma de Ensino (Year 12 equivalent)
    Medio
    Brunei GCE O-Level with 4 passes Brunei Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (Brunei-Cambridge A-level) – 2 passes
    Cambodia   Diploma of Upper Secondary
    Education/Baccalaurate
    Canada Successful completion of Grade 11 High School Diploma
    Chile Educacion Media (Year 10 or Year 11 equivalent) Licencia de Educación Media (Certificate of Secondary Education Certificate) Tecnico-Profesional or Tecnico
    China Senior Middle 2
    General Senior Secondary Unified Graduation (Certificate of Graduation)
    Colombia Bachillerato Secondary School Graduation Certificate (Year 11 equivalent) Bachillerato Secondary School Graduation Certificate (Year 11 equivalent) plus one year further study
    Cuba Secundari Basica/Basic Secondary (Completion of Year 11) Diploma de Bachiller en Ciencias y Letras/Título de Bachiller (nivel medio superior de la Education General Politecnica Laboral)
    - Certificado de Fin de Estudios Secundarias/Técnico Medio/Maestro Primario, etc. (Certificado de Fin de Estudios Secundarias)
    Czech Republic   Maturita (Matriculation Certificate)/School Leaving Certificate
    Denmark   Studentereksamensbevis (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
    Egypt   General Secondary Education Certificate, Al-Azhar Secondary
    Education Certificate, Technical Secondary Education Certificate, Commercial Secondary Certificate or the Agriculture Secondary Certificate
    Fiji & other South Pacific Nations Fiji only Fiji only
    Form 6 School Leaving Certificate
    for student visa
    Fiji Form 7 Examination/
    Fiji School Leaving Certificate (FSLC)
    Finland   Ylioppilastutkintotodistus  (Certificate of Matriculation) Secondary School Leaving Certificate
    France Brevet fundamentals Baccalaureat/
    Brevet professionelles
    Germany Realshule or Hauptschule Achgebundene Hochschulreife/Fachgebundene Hochschulreife (Leaving Certificate) or Zeugnis der Reife  or Reifezeugnis or Abitur or Fachhochschulreife
    Greece   Apolytirio Lykeiou  (Leaving certificate)
    Hong Kong Secondary 4 or Secondary 5 or
    Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE)
    Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) or Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)
    Hungary   Gimnaziumi Erettsegi Bizonyitvany, / Gymnasium Maturity Certificate
    India N/A All India Senior School Certificate or Indian School Certificate or Certificate of Vocational Education or Senior Secondary Certificate or State Boards of Secondary/Senior Secondary Education certificates, GCE A-level (2 passes)
    Indonesia Secondary School:SMU 3 or SMK 3 Certificate of Completion of Senior Secondary Education (Ijazah/STTB SMA/STTB SMK) or Certificate of
    Graduation (SKHUN)
    Ireland GCE O-Level (4 passes) Leaving Certificate/GCE A-level (2 passes)
    Israel   Teudat Bagrut (High School Certificate)
    Italy Minimum 2 years (Year 10), 3 years (Year 11) of the Diploma di Qualifica (secondary vocational education) or the Diploma di Superamento dell’Esame di Stato (senior secondary education)
    grado
    Diploma liceale OR Diploma di istruzione tecnica (Technical Education Diploma) OR Diploma di istruzione professionale (Vocational Education Diploma OR Diploma di superamento dell’esame di stato conclusivo dei corsi di istruzione secondaria superiore (Upper Secondary School leaving certificate)
    Japan Completion of Kotogakko Year 1 Lower Secondary Leaving Certificate Upper Secondary School Certificate of Graduation (Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shosho
    Jordan   Twajihi (General Secondary Education Certificate)
    Kenya GCE O-Level (4 passes)  Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)  or GCE A-level – 2 passes
    Lebanon 1st year completion of General SecondarySchool/
    Technical Secondary School
    Baccalaureat Libanaise (Baccalaureat 2) or
    Baccalaureat Technique/
    Technicien or Certificat Professione/
    de Maltrise/Technicien
    Macau GSE O-level (4 passes), Senior Secondary School Diploma (Year 11) or Form 5 Senior Secondary School Diploma Year 12,  or GCE A-level – 2 passes, or Form 6
    Malaysia SPM (4 passes) or GCE O-Level (4 passes) or Senior Middle 2 STPM Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (2 passes) or GCE A-level - 2 passes , UEC successful completion, Matrikulasi (Malaysian Matric Program)
    Mauritius GCE O-level (4 subject passes) GCE A-level – 2 passes
    Mexico Certificado de Educacion Secundaria
    (Certificate of Secondary Education)
    2-3 year Preparatoria or
    Bachillerato program
    Myanmar  Matriculation/Basic Education High School (BEHS) (Completion of Year 10 or Year 11) 45% or higher
    or
    GCE O - Level (4 subject passes)
    Matriculation/Basic Education High School (BEHS) plus minimum completed 2 years at Professional College or Secondary Technical College or
    GCE A-level (2 subject passes)  or A-level (1 A and 2 AS level passes)
    NepalN/A  Higher Secondary Education
    Board Certificate (Grade 12)
    New Zealand   National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) – Level 3, minimum 60 credits
    Netherlands   Voorbereidend wetenschappelljk onderwijs (Diploma VWO) or Hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs  Diploma HAVO)
    Nigeria Senior Secondary School (WAEC/NECO) examinations – pass grade, GCE O-Level (4 subject passes) Senior Secondary School (WAEC/NECO) examinations (5 subjects passes C grade average) GCE A-level (2 passes)
    Norway   Vitnemal fra den videregaende skolen (Certificate from upper secondary school)
    Oman   School Leaving Certificate
    PakistanN/A

    Higher Secondary School Certificate/
    Intermediate Certificate
    Papua New Guinea   Higher School Certificate
    Peru Secundaria / Education Secundaria (Completion of Year 11) Certificado de Educación Secundaria Común Completa (Secondary Common Education Graduation Certificate) plus a Technical Diploma or entrance to University
    Philippines High School Diploma or National College Entrance Examination (NCEE)  OR from 2018, successful completion of Grade 11 Senior High School
    High School Diploma or a Certificate of Graduation  OR from 2018, Grade 12 Senior High School Diploma
    Poland   Matura Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci Liceum Ogolnoksztalcacego (Certificate of Matriculation of the General Lyceum)
    Portugal   Certificado de Fim de Estudios Secundarios or Diploma de 12 Ano de Escolaridad (Secondary Certificate)
    Russia   Attestat o Srednem (polnom) Obshchem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary (Complete) General Education)
    Saudi Arabia   Shahadat al-thanawiyyah al-'aama or shahadat al-marhalat al-thanawiyyat (General Secondary Education Certificate) Form 7 or University Foundation Year
    Singapore GCE O-Level (4 subject passes) GCE A-level - 2 passes
    Slovakia   Maturitni Vysvedceni/Maturitnej Vysvedcenie (Matriculation Certificate)
    Slovenia   Spričevalo o poklicni mature or Spričevalo o poklicni mature or Svidetelstov zo polozen zavresen
    South Africa National Senior Certificate / Senior
    Certificate Year 11/10
    National Senior Certificate (Year12) Senior Certificate (Year 12) GCE A-Level 2 Passes, International Baccalaureate Diploma
    South Korea Completion of Senior High School Grade 1 or
    equivalent
    General/Academic Senior High School Certificate/Diploma (Immumgye Kodung Hakkyo Choeupchang
    Spain   Titulo de Bachiller
    Sri LankaN/A  GCE A-level – 3 passes (aggregate score of 9)
    Sweden   Slutbetyg Från Gymnasieskola
    Switzerland   Federal Maturity Certificate/ Maturitätszeugnis, Certificat de Maturité/ Attestato di Maturità
    Taiwan Senior High School (1st or 2nd Year) Senior High School Diploma or Senior Vocational School Diploma
    Thailand Upper Secondary School (Matayom 5/ Matayom 4) Matayom 6 or MS 6. (Certificate of Secondary Education)
    Turkey   Lise Diplomasi (Secondary
    School Diploma) Technical or Vocational School
    Diploma (Teknik or Meslek Lise Diplomasi)
    United Arab Emirates   Tawjihiyya or Thanawiyya Al-A’ama (General Secondary Certificate), Technical Secondary School Certificate, Commercial Secondary School Certificate or Certificate from an Agriculture Institute 
    UK  GCE O-Level (4 subject passes) GCE A-Level (2 subject passes)
    Venezuela Educacion Media (10 years of secondary schooling minimum) Educacion Media – Academic or Tecnico (Medio), Bachillor
    Vietnam Upper Secondary schooling (Year 10 or 11 equivalen)   Bang Tot nghiep Trung hoc Pho thong (Upper Secondary Education Graduation Diploma)
    Zambia ZSC Year 12 (4 passes) GCE O-Level (4 passes) ZSC Year 12 (5 subject passes C grade or better) GCE A-Level (2 subject passes) or A-level
    1 A and 2 AS level passes or Diploma in relevant area (1 year minimum)
    Zimbabwe Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education (ZGCE) GSE O-Level (4 subject passes) Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Advanced Levels (A Level)– 2 passes, or International Baccalaureate Diploma  

     

    *Local language subjects are excluded in the assessment of academic results

Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) assessment 

If your application is deemed to require GTE assessment you will be given a Conditional Offer and be sent a link in order to complete this assessment. The guidelines on how this will be assessed can be found within our guidelines on genuine student and GTE living expenses.

English language requirements

For admission to a TAFE SA course, international applicants are expected to be proficient in English.  This can be proven through:

  • Passing an approved test or
  • Completing an English (ELICOS) course or
  • Meeting an approved alternative requirement.

Most TAFE SA courses require an Academic IELTS of 5.5 with 5.0 in all bands, or equivalent.  See individual course entry criteria for confirmation of the English requirement for your course. TAFE SA accepts the following English tests:

  • IELTS – Academic
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
  • Teaching of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – PT and iBT
  • University of Cambridge – ESOL Examinations for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CEP) or the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)

Please view the TAFE SA Academic & English Language Comparison Table for more detailed information. In most cases, tests are valid for two years.

If you do not meet the TAFE SA English language entry requirements, you may undertake an English language course at the English Language Centre of TAFE SA or another approved provider.  The English Language Centre offers English language training for students planning to study at TAFE SA or another Australian education institution.  

  • English Language Comparison Table

    Academic & English Language Entry Criteria Approved Qualifications/Tests

    English Language Requirements

    The following qualifications have been assessed as equivalent to the required IELTS score. Successful completion is expected unless otherwise noted.

    Please use the below table as a guide only as this section is currently under review. Should you have any queries, please feel free to contact TAFE SA International.

    English Language Requirements

    The following qualifications have been assessed as equivalent to the required IELTS score. Successful completion is expected unless otherwise noted.

    Name of Course/Test ELTS Academic 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.0 in all bands IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all bands IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in all bands
    TAFE SA English Language Centre English for Academic Purposes (EAP20) Pass English for Academic Purposes (EAP20) Credit or English for Academic Purposes Advanced (EAP Advanced), Part 1, Pass grade English for Academic Purposes Advanced (EAP Advanced), Part 2, Pass grade English for Academic Purposes Advanced (EAP Advanced), Part 2, Credit grade*
    TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) - iBT Score of 46, with reading: 4-7, listening: 4-6, speaking: 14-15, and writing: 14-17 Score of 60, with reading: 8-12, listening: 7-11, speaking: 16-17, and writing: 18-20 Score of 79 with reading: 18, listening: 13, speaking: 18, and writing: 21 Score of 94 with reading: 24, listening: 24, speaking: 23, and writing: 27
    Pearsons Test of English (PTE) Academic Minimum 42 with 36 in all for communicative skills ((listening, reading, writing and speaking) Minimum 50 with 42 in all for communicative skills ((listening, reading, writing and speaking) Minimum 58 with 50 in all for communicative skills ((listening, reading, writing and speaking) Minimum 65 with 65 in all for communicative skills ((listening, reading, writing and speaking)
    Occupational English Test OET Pass Minimum score of C in all four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking) Minimum score of B in all four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking) Minimum score of B in all four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking)
    Cambridge C1 Advanced or B2 First previously Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) and First Certificate of English (FCE)   Overall score of 162 with a minimum of 154 in all bands Overall score of 169 with a minimum of 162 in all bands Overall score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in all bands Overall score of 185 with a minimum of 185 in all bands

    South Australian College of English (SACE)

    English for Tertiary Studies I or Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) or B2 First (FCE) overall score of 162 with a minimum of 154 in all bands

    English for Tertiary Studies II or Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) or B2 First (FCE) overall score of 169 with a minimum of 162 in all bands

    Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) or B2 First (FCE) overall score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in all bands

    ILSC Education Group (all campuses)

    English for Academic Purposes Intermediate 3 (I3) 

    English for Academic Purposes Intermediate 4 (I4)

    English for Academic Purposes Advanced 1 (A1)English for Academic Purposes Advanced 2 (A2)*

    GCE O Levels English/1119 English

    C6

    C5

    Malaysian SPM English

    B

    A

    Kenyan KCSE English

    C

    B

    Malaysia University Entrance Test

    Score of 4

    International Baccalaureate

    English A or B grade (score of 5-7)

    English A grade (score of 5-7)

    *This ELICOS program does not meet the English entry requirements for the Diploma of Nursing or the Advanced Diploma of Oral Health (Dental Hygiene).

    ELICOS courses, from other providers, only state the equivalence to the overall IELTS score.  In these cases, a minimum band score is not required.

    Other circumstances where the IELTS requirement may be waived (evidence required):  

    • Successful completion, within the last two years, of a secondary or tertiary level course, undertaken in English in a country where English is an official language, or the main language spoken (as deemed by TAFE SA).  
    • Successful completion of at least one year of study, at Year 12 level or above, within the last two years, in a CRICOS registered course delivered in Australia.
    • If Year 11 is the highest level, successful completion of Year 10 and 11 with an English subject in Year 11 and, if TAFE SA course requires:
      • IELTS of 5.5 (or equivalent) then minimum of C grade in all results, with B in English
      • IELTS of 6.0 (or equivalent) then minimum of B grade in all results, with B in English
     

    Courses exempt from the above waivers:

    Advanced Diploma of Oral Health (Dental Hygiene)
    Diploma of Nursing - English entry criteria is set in line with the NBMA requirements

    Students requiring English language training: some students may be requested to attend an interview or complete the Entry test for Award Courses (at their own cost) to enable an accurate prediction of the number of weeks of English language training required.

    All test results are valid for two years from the date of sitting, however, for entry to TAFE SA, a test/s will not be accepted if it is older than two years from the date of commencement of the TAFE SA course.

    IELTS One Skills Retake:

    • IELTS now offers test takers the ability to re-sit ‘one test component.’ This is a result of a number of test takers, satisfying the requirement for three of the four components: Listening, Reading, Speaking or Writing with one being below the minimum requirement resulting in the test taker taking the whole test again.
    • This ‘One Skills Retake ‘will be a more convenient way compared to resitting the whole test which can be stressful and expensive.
    • Test takers will only be able to re-sit a single component one time, and it must be within 60 days of their original test.

    TAFE SA will continue to accept a combination of two English tests, in a 6-month period, as evidence of meeting English requirement as follows:

    1. Two tests: when the overall results on both tests meet the required English entry, but one individual score is lower than required on one test but meets the requirement on the second, in this case two valid results can be combined.  The earliest test will be deemed the test result with 2-year validity.  
    2. When overall results meet the required English entry but one individual score is lower than required, in this case an Entry test for Award Courses result in one skill can be combined with the results.  
    3. The acceptance of the combined tests also applies to the Diploma of Nursing, however, the individual score that is less, must only be one level lower than the requirement.  This requirement is subject to changed and can be confirmed here:  TAFE SA is waiting for confirmation as to whether the IELTS One Skills Retake is also accepted.

    Academic Entry Criteria (equivalent to Year 12)

    Most international and Australian Foundation Studies Programs (FSPs) are deemed equivalent to Year 12.

Local University acceptance of TAFE SA English programs

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) 20

University of Adelaide: Students who have successfully completed the TAFE SA English for Academic Purposes 20 are assumed to have the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.0.

University of South Australia: Students who have successfully gained a Credit result or above in the TAFE SA English for Academic Purposes 20 are assumed to have the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.0.

Flinders University: Students who have successfully gained a Credit result in the TAFE SA English for Academic Purposes 20 are assumed to have the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with 6 in all sub bands.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced

University of Adelaide: Students who have successfully completed the TAFE SA English for Academic Purposes Advanced (20 weeks) are assumed to have the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5.

University of South Australia: Students who have successfully gained a Pass result or above in the TAFE SA English for Academic Purposes Advanced are assumed to have the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5.

Flinders University: Students who have successfully gained a Pass result in the TAFE SA English for Academic Purposes Advanced are assumed to have the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with 6.0 in all sub bands. Students who have successfully gained a Credit result in the TAFE SA English for Academic Purposes Advanced are assumed to have the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 7.0 with 6.5 in all sub bands.

IELTS Score

Recommended Course

Weeks

Have   Need  
2.5 - 4.0 > 4.5 > General English 10 - 30
4.5 > 5.5 > EAP 20 20
5.0 > 6.0 > EAP 20 20
5.0 > 5.5 > EAP 20 10
5.5 > 6.0 > EAP 20 or EAP Advanced (Part 1) 10
5.5 > 6.5 > EAP Advanced (Part 1 and Part 2) 20
6.0 > 6.5 > EAP Advanced (Part 2) 10
6.0 > 7.0 > EAP Advanced (Part 1 and Part 2) 20
6.5 > 7.0 > EAP Advanced (Part 2) 10
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