International Entry Requirements

Cookery studies student garnishing roast vegetable dish with rosemary

International Entry Requirements

We welcome and encourage international students at Melbourne Polytechnic. You’ll gain a comprehensive education as well as life skills, including learning about a new culture.

Under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act), you are considered an international student if you intend to study in Australia on a Student Visa.

Applications are submitted via the International Office. As an international student, you will pay the international course fees that apply to your program.

If you are under 18 when submitting your application, you must turn 18 at least two weeks before your course commences at Melbourne Polytechnic.

Entry criteria vary by study level (i.e., VET, Higher Education). General requirements are detailed below while course specific entry requirements are detailed on the individual course pages.

Academic entry requirements

Study Level	Minimum Academic Requirement
VET - Certificates & Diplomas	Australian Year 12 qualification, such as the VCE, or an equivalent overseas qualification, OR AQF Level 4 (Certificate IV) or higher in Australia, OR one year of AQF Level 5 study in Australia, OR Melbourne Polytechnic Foundation Program
Higher Education - Bachelor's Degrees	Australian Year 12 qualification, such as the VCE, or an equivalent overseas qualification, OR AQF Level 5 (Diploma) or higher in Australia, OR recognised Foundation Program in Australia
Master's Degrees	Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) or higher equivalent overseas qualification

Check whether your qualification is equivalent to Australian Year 12 on our Overseas Secondary Qualifications page.

If your country or qualification is not listed, you are still encouraged to apply. We will assess your qualifications as part of the application process.

English language requirements

All English language test results must have been completed within two years of your Melbourne Polytechnic application. Students applying for a student visa must also meet the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) English requirements.

Passport holders from United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Republic of Ireland or New Zealand are not required to provide English proficiency evidence.

The table below provides a general guide to the minimum English language requirements for each study level.

Course	Academic IELTS	PTE Academic (after 7 Aug 2025)	PTE Academic (before 7 Aug 2025)
VET - Certificates & Diplomas	6.0 overall	47 overall	50 overall
Higher Education - Bachelor's Degrees	6.0 overall, min 5.5 per band	47 overall Listening: 40 Reading: 42 Speaking: 39 Writing: 41	50 overall communicative skills: min 42
Higher Education - Master's Degrees	6.5 overall, min 6.0 per band	55 overall Listening: 47 Reading: 48 Speaking: 54 Writing: 51	58 overall communicative skills: min 50

Some higher education courses may have higher English language requirements. Please check the individual course page for details.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

Our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program develops the academic English skills needed to succeed in your studies.

If you do not meet the English language requirements for direct entry to your chosen course, you may receive a conditional offer including an EAP course. If you accept a conditional offer, you must successfully complete EAP to progress to your VET or Higher Education course. These conditional packages are available only to student visa applicants.

Successfully completing the EAP course will grant entry to your chosen course without needing to take an additional English test.

See the EAP page for more information.