IELTS measures ability to communicate in English across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication.

Since 1989, IELTS has been proven and trusted worldwide to provide a secure, global, authentic and customer-focused test which measures true to life ability to communicate in English. More than 6,000 education institutions, faculties, government agencies and professional organisations around the world recognise IELTS scores as a trusted and valid indicator of ability to communicate in English.

PIBT is an official testing agency and offers examinations on ECU’s Mt Lawley and Joondalup campuses.


PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY: if you apply at Joondalup, your test will be at Joondalup Campus. If you apply at Mt Lawley, your test will be at Mt Lawley Campus. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Please click on the link for the campus where you want to take your test:
• Joondalup Campus
• Mt Lawley Campus

Preparation Course for IELTS - $400
This 4-week, 16 hour course covers all 4 parts of the exam (speaking, writing, reading and listening). The course focuses on each part of the exam and gives strategies on how to be more successful. By the end of the course students should feel more confident and have several strategies to assist them in each section of the exam.

PIBT Preparation Course for IELTS Flyer
PIBT Preparation Course for IELTS Application form
PIBT Preparation Course Refund-Cancellation-Transfer Request form 

Exam Practice Sessions for IELTS - $120
This 4-hour Saturday course, taught by qualified IELTS teachers will enable students to look at the exam requirements of both speaking and writing. Students will undertake a full exam practice in each of the two skills. By the end of this course, students should be better prepared for their speaking and writing exams and have a clearer understanding of the requirements. 

Exam Practice Session for IELTS Flyer
Exam Practice Session for IELTS Application Form
Exam Practice Session Refund-Cancellation-Transfer Form

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

You will find that most of your answers to your questions will be found below. Forms, including the IELTS application form, a map and other information can be found on our website under Forms and Information in the IELTS section. 

Q: What documentation do I need to apply?

• Completed IELTS application form (please answer all questions).
• 2 identical passport sized photos not more than 6 months old – see guidelines in the Information Flyer.
• You must have an original and valid passport to apply – expired passports not accepted. National Identity Cards are not accepted as they are not a valid document in Australia. For candidates applying in person, you MUST bring with you your original and valid passport. Your passport must be valid on your test date.
• For Western Australian postal applications, you MUST include a clear photocopy of your passport including both the photo page and the signature page.
• For interstate postal applications, you MUST include a certified photocopy of your passport including both the photo page and the signature page. Photocopies can be certified by a Police Officer, Pharmacist, Lawyer, Justice of the Peace/Public Notary, Post Office Manager. Priority is given to West Australian candidates, but interstate candidates are accepted and welcome to apply by post.

NOTE: National Identity Cards are not accepted as they are not a valid form of identification and/or they are not recognised in Australia.

Q: Can I apply to sit a test at Mt Lawley or Joondalup if I live in another state?

Yes. We take applications from interstate based candidates. See Information Flyer for information. Priority given to WA based applications.

Q: Can I put my name on a list if I want to get an earlier test date?

No. We do not keep any cancellation or waiting lists.

Q: What sort of photo do I need to have taken?

NOTE:  A photo booth which takes passport photos is available on Mt Lawley campus in Clusters Cafeteria in Building 12. Passport photos cost $8 for 4. The booth does not give change; you must insert the correct money. PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

SIZE
• Standard passport sized photograph
• Minimum 35 mm in width
• Minimum 45 mm in height

POSE
• A close-up of the head and top of shoulders (70 – 80% of the photo)
• Looking straight towards the camera with face square on
• Both ears showing or both edges of the face visible if hair covers the ears
• NOT portrait style
• NOT looking over one shoulder
• Head not tilted or rotated
• No glasses

PHOTO QUALITY
• Print quality of professional standard
• High quality paper and colour image
• No ink or marks on the image

LIGHTING & FOCUS
• No shadows or glare on the image or background
• Good colour balance that shows skin tones naturally
• A plain, light coloured background (beige, white, blue background recommended, not red) with no objects/no patterns in the background
• Appropriate brightness and contrast
• Uniform lighting
• Sharp focus and clear
• No ‘red eye’

EXPRESSION
• A neutral expression with mouth closed (no smiling, squinting, frowning or raised eyebrows)
• Nothing covering the face
• Eyes open and clearly visible (no hair covering the eyes)

GLASSES, HEADCOVERS, CLOTHING
• Nothing should hide the outlines of the eyes, nose or mouth
• Glasses must not be worn as eyes must be clearly shown
• Head coverings worn for religious reasons are permitted
• Facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of face must be clearly shown
 

Q: How much does it cost to take the test?

The test costs $310. The test fee must be paid in full when submitting application form.

PIBT accepts EFTPOS, various Credit Cards (but not Amex or Diners) and Australian Money Orders (made payable to PIBT). The test fee is exempt of the 1.5% credit card surcharge. Cash and cheques are not accepted under any circumstances.

Q: What other information do I need to know to apply with a postal application?

Please use the Credit Card Payment form (available online) or an Australia Post Money Order (available from any Post Office and made payable to PIBT) and post together with your completed Application Form and other required documentation.

Please note that if you do not include the required documents, passport photos, copy of your passport (certified for interstate applications) and the payment (Money order made out to PIBT OR a completed Credit Card Payment form available from our website under IELTS), your application will not be processed and it will be returned to you. Cash and cheques are not accepted. It is the candidate’s responsibility to provide all the stated documents.

Q. What do I need to do if I have special needs such as dyslexia, seeing or hearing difficulties?

Candidates with special needs must inform the PIBT IELTS Test Centre a minimum of three months prior to their preferred test date. Supporting (current) medical evidence from the candidate’s medical specialist must accompany the Application Form. A medical certificate from a general practitioner (G.P) will not suffice.

Q: Which test do I take?

There are two types of IELTS modules, Academic and General.

Academic Reading and Writing modules should be taken by those applying for tertiary, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses and for professional registration. General Training Reading and Writing modules should be taken by those who are going to study secondary education, undertake work experience, or for immigration purposes.

Staff members at the IELTS Test Centre are not able to advise you about which test to take. It is your responsibility to select the module that best meets your needs. Please consult your prospective receiving institution/sponsor if you are uncertain which test to take.

Q: What happens if I want to cancel or get a refund?

The cancellation or transfer of a test date must be made in person, via email or upon receipt of completed Refund Request Form by post or fax. The date that IELTS Administration receives the Refund Request Form is deemed to be the date that you have cancelled/transferred. Please note that if the 5 week deadline falls on a Saturday, then the form must be submitted on the Friday (the day before).

You must provide 5 weeks notice as outlined in the table below. If posting the Refund Request Form, please allow sufficient time for the form to reach our office. The Refund/Cancellation/ Transfer Form is available as a download on the website and at PIBT reception. Please attach your original receipt when applying for a refund.

Q: Are there any practice materials available?

Official IELTS Practice Materials (including CD) can be obtained for $40 at PIBT reception. If you wish the materials to be posted, please download the Practice Materials Form, complete your details then post together with an Australia Post Money Order (made payable to PIBT). Alternatively, use the Credit Card Payment Form.

Q: Does PIBT offer any courses to help me when I take the IELTS test? (note: courses are held on Mt Lawley campus only)

Preparation Course for IELTS - $400
This 4-week, 16 hour course covers all 4 parts of the exam (speaking, writing, reading and listening). The course focuses on each part of the exam and gives strategies on how to be more successful. By the end of the course students should feel more confident and have several strategies to assist them in each section of the exam.

Exam Practice Sessions for IELTS - $120
This 4-hour Saturday course, taught by qualified IELTS teachers will enable students to look at the exam requirements of both speaking and writing. Students will undertake a full exam practice in each of the two skills. By the end of this course, students should be better prepared for their speaking and writing exams and have a clearer understanding of the requirements. 

Q: Where do I take the test?

You will take the IELTS test on the same campus where you applied for the test.

Q: How do I get to the campus on public transport?

Bus and train
You can get timetables from a Transperth Information Centre or via the Transperth website.

If you are driving to the Campus please always use Visitors Parking and purchase a ticket. Tickets required Monday – Fridays. Parking Inspectors patrol the car parks and will issue a fine if no valid parking ticket is visible on your vehicle. Check maps for Visitor Parking bays.

Parking on test days (Saturday only) is free. Please observe campus signage or other directions as required.

Q: What is the confirmation email?

A confirmation email will be sent to all candidates 10 working days before the test date. This email will confirm the test date, time, location and information regarding what to bring with you on the test day.

You must print and bring the confirmation email with you on your test day or you will not be admitted to the test.

If you do not receive your confirmation email by the Wednesday before the test, it is your responsibility to contact the centre by sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (for tests at Mt Lawley test centre) or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (for tests at Joondalup test centre). 

Q: What happens on the test day?

On the day of the test you need to arrive at the test venue by 8.15am at the latest to have your identity checked before entering the test room.

You must bring your passport and the confirmation email with you on your test day or you will not be admitted to the test.

Testing starts promptly at 9.00am. Late arrivals will not be admitted. The test consists of four sections:
Listening (40 min);
Reading (60 min);
Writing (60 min);
Speaking (approximately 20 min).

Listening, reading and writing tests will be completed in the morning. The speaking test will be held in the afternoon and candidates may need to be available until 6.00pm.

Q: When will I get my results?

Test Result Forms are produced and usually posted out to candidates 13 days after the test day. The 13th day is always a Friday. It can take up to 4 working days, after posting, for you to receive your results (at the address that you supplied on your application form).

As per the Information for Candidates booklet, “results will not be given over the phone nor by fax or email”. Results may not be collected from the office.

Important note: For reasons of test integrity, all Australian IELTS Test Centres are currently unable to release results until authorised to do so by IELTS Australia. This may mean that results are released later than the 13 days. The Test Centre has no control over this release date.
 

Q: What do I do if I want to query my results after I take the test?

The Enquiry on Results form can be obtained from the IELTS Test Centre. A fee of $176 (GST included) applies.

The Enquiry on Results form has to be lodged within six weeks of the test date. Candidates MUST apply in person (at the campus where the test was taken) and attach the original Test Result Form (TRF).

Remarks are sent to IELTS Australia in Canberra and take up to 6 weeks to be completed (from the date of application). IELTS Australia notifies candidates of the outcome.