Australia · English-language testing
Australia confirms TOEFL iBT testing is unavailable in Iran
Australia's Department of Home Affairs says ETS has advised that TOEFL iBT testing services are currently unavailable in Iran. Visa applicants can consider approved testing options available in other countries.
Published . Updated .
Reported and checked by the QueueCheck news desk. Last checked September 4, 2026. How we verify information
Australian visa English-language evidence: the answer before you make plans
If your Australian visa application needs an approved English test and you planned to take TOEFL iBT in Iran, do not assume a local appointment is presently available. Home Affairs says ETS has advised that the service is currently unavailable and points applicants to approved testing options in other countries. The notice gives no start date and no expected restoration date.
Visa applicants affected by this Australia update
Applicants in Iran who planned to use TOEFL iBT as English-language evidence for an Australian visa, including some Student, Temporary Graduate and skilled-visa applicants.
The Australia visa update behind this page
- Home Affairs published the notice on September 3, 2026.
- ETS advised the department that TOEFL iBT testing services are currently unavailable in Iran.
- Home Affairs says applicants can consider approved testing options available in other countries.
- The notice does not give the date the interruption began.
- No restoration date or estimated duration is published.
Australian Department of Home Affairs: TOEFL iBT testing unavailable in Iran details that affect applicants
The notice concerns test availability in Iran, not the general acceptance of TOEFL iBT for every Australian visa purpose.
English evidence rules vary by visa subclass, application date and the level of English that must be shown.
Home Affairs does not say that an unavailable test appointment waives an English-language requirement.
A test provider's booking availability and Home Affairs' acceptance rules are separate questions.
Australian visa English-language evidence questions, answered
Has Australia stopped accepting TOEFL iBT?
The notice says testing services are unavailable in Iran. It does not announce a general ban on TOEFL iBT. Check the approved-test rules for your visa and application date.
Can I submit without an English test because there are no TOEFL appointments in Iran?
Home Affairs does not announce an automatic waiver in this notice. You still need to meet the evidence rule that applies to your subclass unless an official exemption covers you.
When will TOEFL iBT return in Iran?
No restoration date is published. Monitor the official notice and the test provider before making plans.
What this Australia update changes for Australian visa English-language evidence
Applicants relying on a TOEFL iBT sitting in Iran cannot presently complete that step there.
Using a testing location in another country can add travel, appointment and document-planning time before a complete visa application can be lodged.
The effect depends on the visa subclass and the English evidence rule that applies to the individual applicant.
Australian visa English-language evidence checks before changing your plans
- Check the English evidence requirement for the exact visa subclass before booking or travelling.
- Review Home Affairs' current list of approved tests and testing rules for the relevant application date.
- If TOEFL iBT is the intended test, check approved testing options outside Iran and allow time for travel and result delivery.
- Do not lodge on the assumption that the outage creates an automatic exemption unless official guidance for the route says so.
- Recheck the Home Affairs notice before paying for travel because no restoration date has been announced.
Read Australian Department of Home Affairs: TOEFL iBT testing unavailable in Iran by route, stage, and source date
This is an availability notice, not a change to visa processing times. Any delay arises before or around lodgement if the applicant cannot obtain required evidence.
The immediate problem is geographic: TOEFL iBT service is unavailable in Iran, while Home Affairs directs applicants to consider approved options in other countries.
What this Australian visa English-language evidence update cannot decide
- Home Affairs has not published the precise interruption date, cause, expected duration or restoration schedule.
- The notice does not identify which foreign test centres have appointments or whether an applicant can enter the relevant country.
- QueueCheck cannot determine which test or exemption is appropriate for an individual case.
Compare Australian visa English-language evidence waits
This update covers more than one queue. Choose the service that matches your own application before sharing a date or comparing waits.
Official citation
Published September 3, 2026. Original source: Australian Department of Home Affairs: TOEFL iBT testing unavailable in Iran.