Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements

International students must meet both academic and English language entry requirements to study an award course at TAFE SA. To check the specific academic 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:

• Certificate III course – satisfactory completion of Year 10 or equivalent
• Certificate IV course - satisfactory completion of Year 11 or equivalent
• Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas and Associate Degree courses - satisfactory completion of Year 12 or equivalent

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

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. 

Bangladeshi, Indian, Nepalese and Pakistani Students

If you are a Bangladeshi, Indian, Nepalese and Pakistani student you need to have satisfactorily completed Year 12 or overseas equivalent and received a result of 60% in your top 4 subjects (excluding your native language) to enrol in any TAFE SA course (ie Cert III, Cert IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Associate Degree).  If you have had to re-sit any of your exams you also need to provide the results of those exams.
Please note: We don't accept Punjab State Board or Haryana State Board HS results. You need to present a Central Board result exam or a higher qualification.

Equivalent Overseas Qualifications

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

English language requirements

For admission to a TAFE SA course, international applicants from non-English speaking backgrounds 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.  

Local University acceptance of TAFE SA English programs

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) 20

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

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

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced

University of Adelaide: Students who have successfully completed the TAFE SA English for Academic Purposes (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 P result or higher in the TAFE SA English for Academic Purposes Advanced are assumed to have the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5.