International English Language Testing System (IELTS) information

What is IELTS?

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System.

It 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.

For more information about the IELTS test go to: www.ielts.co.nz

How to apply for IELTS

All bookings and payments for an IELTS test is done online:

Book your IELTS test now

This website lists all available test centres and dates for IELTS in New Zealand.

All payments need to be online with a credit or debit card.

For further information please contact:
Email englishlanguage.examinations@otago.ac.nz

IELTS registration checklist

Please note that an application is NOT complete unless it includes:

• A copy of your current passport
• Payment of NZ$410*
  * Exam fees will increase to NZD$445 on the 1st of May 2024.

It is important to register as early as possible if you wish to sit the test on your preferred test date.

IELTS payment details

Payment must be made within 94 hours of applying online to secure your booking.

Payments needs to be made via the website by credit or debit card.

Please contact the Examinations Office at the English Language Centre for more information.

Before the IELTS test

Approximately one week before the IELTS test, you will receive a letter in the post with details of your test day schedule, what to bring to the test, and how to get to the test venue.

You MUST bring your original, current passport.

NO other form of identification will be accepted.

Therefore, please plan ahead when choosing your test date and sending your passport to immigration for visa purposes.

Test timetable

IELTS cancellation/transfer policy

• If you transfer to a new test dateless than four weeks before your booked test there is a NZ$85 fee. You will not be eligible to transfer to a new test date less than seven calendar days before your booked test date, this will be treated as a cancellation and no refund will be given.

• If you cancel your test, you may be eligible for a partial refund with NZ$85 deducted. If you cancel less than seven calendar days before your booked test no refund will be given.

• If you are sick or have other extenuating circumstances on the day of the test and cannot sit the test, you may be eligible for a free transfer or full refund, please contact the IELTS Administrator.
  Note: You may be asked to provide documentation which verifies your circumstances. This must be done at the latest five calendar days after the test date for a refund or transfer.

To request a refund or transfer, please contact:

Email englishlanguage.examinations@otago.ac.nz

IELTS test results

Provisional IELTS test results are available to view online 13 days after your test.

These can be viewed at https://results.ieltsessentials.com/ and will remain available to be viewed for 28 days.

Your Test Report Form (TRF) will beposted to you 13 days after your test date.

Please notify us immediately if you change your address prior to issue of your TRF.

Regular postage is free of charge but charges for courier services will be passed onto candidates.

Up to five copies of your TRF will be posted to the relevant institution(s) you have listed on your IELTS application form.  Please check with the institution(s) you are applying with about entry requirements.

Additional copies for tertiary institutions requested after you receive your results cost NZ$20 per copy.

If you have lost your TRF, please contact the Test Centre which issued your TRF.

IELTS complaints procedures

Complaints from candidates regarding their test must be received by Test Day Staff on test day. Please speak to any of the Test Day Staff and ask to complete a 'Complaint Form for Test Takers'.

Any complaints will be followed up within two working days by the Examinations Office. You will be contacted either by phone or email to further discuss any issues.

For any other issues or feedback please contact the Examinations on the details bellows and you will be contacted within two working days.

Student Administration (examinations)
University of Otago
St David II
75 Saint David Street
Dunedin 9016

Email englishlanguage.examinations@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 8237

Enquiry of IELTS results (EOR)

If you wish to query your test results, please see the IELTS Administrator within six weeks of your test date to apply for a re-mark. (EOR)

This procedure costs NZ$230 and can take up to six weeks to process.

If there is an increase in your results, you will be issued a new TRF and receive a full refund.

If there is no change to your results, you will not receive a refund.

Disability support

If you have a disability or condition which might require special arrangements, you should discuss it with your test centre as soon as possible.

Each case is considered individually and you will need to supply medical documentation.

Test centres may need up to three months to put arrangements into place. However, for some arrangements the Test Centre may only need six weeks' notice. Please contact the Test centre to enquire and make sure to take this into consideration when scheduling your exam.

Special arrangements include the following:

• Enlarged print and Brailled test papers, an amanuensis to write answers, a Braille word-processor for those with visual difficulties.
• Special amplification equipment, lip-reading version of the Listening module for those with hearing difficulties.
• Extra time for the Reading and Writing modules, use of a word processor for those with learning difficulties (eg dyslexia).

Please contact the Examinations Office at the English Language Centre to discuss further.

Location of the IELTS test in Dunedin

The IELTS test is held at the University of Otago English Language Centre, Level 2, Otago Business School, 60 Clyde Street, Dunedin.

Otago Business School on Google maps