Legal notices

© IELTS Australia Pty Ltd 2011-2015, with IELTS Australia Pty Ltd solely owned by IDP Education Pty Ltd.

IELTS.IDP.COM is brought to you by:

IDP IELTS Australia Pty Ltd (solely owned by IDP Education Ltd) Level 10 679 Collins Street Docklands 3008 Victoria Australia ABN: 84 00 866 4766

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If you wish to disable the cookies on this website you will need to refer to the privacy and security settings of your preferred browser. 

Below is a summary of the types of cookies used on our sites and how they are used. 

Strictly Necessary Cookies 

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information. 

Performance Cookies 

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. 

Functional Cookies 

These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly. 

Targeting Cookies 

These cookies may be set on our site by our advertising partners, Google and Addthis. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. 

If you prefer that we not share your non-personal information with partners, including third parties that use tracking technologies to deliver targeted display advertising based on that information, please visit https://optout.networkadvertising.org/?c=1#!%2F to access the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out. 

Social Media Cookies 

These cookies are for a range of social media services including Linkedin and Facebook that we have added to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to use or see these sharing tools. 

See following documents for test and payments terms and conditions:

• IELTS One Skill Retake Terms and Conditions

• IELTS on paper

• IELTS on paper (For testing in Hong Kong)

• IELTS on paper (For testing in destination countries - non residents)

• IELTS on paper for UKVI

• IELTS on paper for UKVI (For testing in Hong Kong)

• IELTS on paper for UKVI (For testing in destination countries - non residents)

• IELTS for UKVI Life Skills

• IELTS for UKVI Life Skills (For testing in Hong Kong)

• IELTS Online Terms and Conditions

• IELTS on computer

• IELTS on computer (For testing in Hong Kong)

• IELTS on computer for UKVI

• IELTS on computer for UKVI (For testing in Hong Kong)

By using the Website, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use which form a legally binding agreement between you and IDP. If you do not want to be bound by these Terms of Use, do not continue to use this Website. 

Further, we may amend these Terms of Use at any time. Your continued use of the Website is considered to be acceptance of the amended Terms of Use. 

IDP Copyright 

The material on this Website, including all information such as text, graphics, images, photographs and sound, is protected by copyright pursuant to the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), as amended from time to time and the laws of other countries. You must not alter, reproduce, store in retrieval system or transmit the material on this Website or any part thereof, unless authorised by IDP in writing or permitted by the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). 

Trademarks 

All trademarks that are included on this Website are the property of their respective owners and are protected by relevant laws in Australia and other countries. You must not use any of these trade marks (including the reproduction, modification, distribution, repudiation, display or communication of these trade marks) except by saving or printing out a copy of this Website for personal non-commercial use, unless expressly authorised by IDP or the owner of the relevant trade mark in writing. 

Links from this Website 

The external linked websites within the Website are not within the control of IDP. IDP does not take responsibility for the content in, or currency of, any externally linked sites. The inclusion of any link within the Website does not imply endorsement by IDP of the linked website, nor does it suggest any relationship with the organisation linked. 

Spam 

IDP publishes electronic addresses on this Website to facilitate communication relating to our business functions. This is not to be inferred as consent by IDP or the relevant addresses to receiving unsolicited commercial messages or SPAM as referred to in the Spam Act 2003 (Cth). 

Liability 

IDP makes no warranties or representations about this Website or any of its content. IDP is not responsible to you or anyone else for any damages of any kind, including (but not limited to) any direct or consequential loss and losses resulting from security failure, disclosure of confidential information by other parties or the transmission of a computer virus, suffered in connection with the use of this Website whether based on breach of contract or warranty, tort (including negligence), product liability or otherwise ,even if IDP is informed in advance of the possibility of such damages. IDP excludes, to the extent permitted by law, any liability which may arise as a result of the use of this Website. By using the Website, you agree to indemnify IDP for any loss or liability arising out of your use. Use of the Website is at your own risk and you assume full responsibility and risk of loss resulting from your downloading, use of, or access to data, files, information, or other material on or through the Website. IDP’s aggregate liability to you for any other losses resulting from the use of the Website is limited to the nominal amount of $1. 

Governing Law 

The Terms of Use will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of New South Wales, Australia and you submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales, Australia. 

Further Information 

Corporate Governance  IDP Education Pty Ltd  Level 10 697 Collins Street  Docklands 3008  Victoria Australia 

We are committed to meeting your expectations and will comply with all applicable privacy and data protection legislation in relation to your Personal Information and Sensitive Information.

We know you love the small print, but here’s a summary of how we protect your privacy:

1. We only collect what we need to help you with your request or provide you with information that you ask for, personalising it to your interests.

2. We won’t hang on to your information. If we don’t need it, and you don’t want us to keep it we’ll delete it.

3. We want you to understand everything we do with your information, so we’ll try our best to explain with no nonsense.

4. No surprises - you decide what and how you hear from us.

The below policy documents will provide you with more detail of our Privacy and Personal Data handling practices. Please select the correct policy for the test type you are taking:

• IELTS Privacy Notice

• IELTS Online Privacy Notice

*IELTS Online* is not currently available in all countries, please check your local IELTS website to confirm availability. This notice only applies to IELTS Online test takers.

The IELTS Owners’ Privacy Notice applies solely to information collected by us and may differ from the policies of other companies’ or organisations’ websites that you link to from this website. We recommend that you read the privacy policy of any other companies’ or organisations website that you link to from our website.

IELTS believes that child protection requires everyone to take responsibility and that every child matters. We recognise that the care, protection and welfare of children are paramount and that all children have the right to be protected from all types of harm or abuse. This includes a responsibility to protect children from any harm or risk.

We aim to achieve this through compliance with all applicable child protection laws and by adhering to Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 1989.

A child is defined as anyone who has not reached their 18th birthday (UNCRC 1989) irrespective of the age of majority in the country where the child is, or in their home country.

In relation to the management, recognition and administration of the IELTS test, IELTS is committed to:

• Valuing, respecting and listening to children.

• Ensuring all necessary checks are made when recruiting staff.

• Maintaining strong child protection systems and procedures for staff.

• Training its staff and providing a common understanding of child protection issues to inform planning and practice.

• Protecting the data protection rights of children.

• Sharing information about any concerns with the relevant agencies and involving parents and children appropriately.

• Providing effective management for staff through clear processes, supervision and support.

We will provide adequate and appropriate resources to implement this policy and will ensure it is communicated and understood. IELTS will review this global policy statement annually to reflect new legal and regulatory developments and ensure good practice.

For more information, read the IDP IELTS Child Protection Policy document.

General guidance for test takers taking IELTS on paper and on computer 

The guidance below is a summary of what all IELTS test takers can expect when registering for an IELTS on paper and on computer test anywhere in the world. Detailed policy terms vary according to test centre location and so please contact your local test centre as relevant for further information. 

If local consumer protection law in the country you have registered to take the IELTS test provides for cancellation and transfer rights which are more favourable than the terms set out in this document or in more detailed local test centre guidance, then local consumer protection law will apply.     If you are taking IELTS for UKVI or IELTS Life Skills then different policy terms apply. The IELTS for UKVI policy is a standard and globally applicable set of  terms and conditions. 

A. Cancellations 

You can cancel your IELTS test registration at any time before taking your test by notifying your Test Centre. Refund terms depend upon when you cancel and whether exceptional circumstances apply.  

B. Transfers 

You may change your test date at any time before the test. However, depending on when you make your transfer request – that is, how near to the test day – your request may be treated as a cancellation. 

You must select a test date, where available, within three months from your original test date. If your preferred test date is more than three months after your original test date then your transfer will be treated as a cancellation. 

You can only transfer the same booking once.  

Exceptional Circumstances and Special Consideration:  

On rare occasions, there may be instances where you are unable to attend your test or are disadvantaged on test day owing to illness, injury, or another exceptional event outside your control and no longer qualify for a standard cancellation, refund or transfer close to the test date. In these cases, including instances such as bereavement, civil unrest, domestic crisis, you may make an application to your test centre for special consideration due to exceptional circumstances. You can find more information on this process here. 

Under certain circumstances outside test centre control, we may have to cancel your test and transfer you to a future date. These circumstances include, but may not be limited to, extreme weather conditions, natural disaster, civil unrest, industrial action, global pandemic or for reasons of force majeure.  

In these circumstances, your test centre will provide you with as much notice as possible and give you the choice of either a full refund, or a transfer to a future test date – whichever you prefer.  

If your test is cancelled or postponed due to other circumstances such as technical failure, venue or environmental factors, your test centre will provide you with as much notice as possible and give you the choice of a refund or a transfer to a future test. 

On rare occasions, there may be instances where you are unable to attend your test or are disadvantaged on test day owing to illness, injury, or another exceptional event outside your control. In these cases, you may make an application to your test centre for special consideration due to exceptional circumstances. This will allow you to carry over your test fee to a later assessment opportunity or, in some cases, apply for a refund.    Special consideration includes instances such as:  

• A traumatic experience 

• Domestic crisis 

• Unavoidable legal or military obligation  

• Serious medical conditions which prevent you from attending or performing normally on test day.  

• Bereavement, or other forms of significant hardship.  

• Civil unrest, extreme weather 

You can apply for special consideration before the test, and up to two calendar days after the test date, but applications for special consideration will not be accepted after your results have been released.   

You need to contact your test centre directly and provide full information as to why you qualify for special consideration, with supporting evidence. Your test centre will assess your application and will respond to you within seven working days of receiving your full application in writing, during which time your results will be put on hold until a decision is finalised. 

If your test centre approves your application, you will receive a refund or transfer, in some cases this may be subject to an administrative fee. Please be aware that refunds can take four to six weeks to process. Note: there will be no adjustment to band scores. 

If you would like to appeal against a decision made following an application for special consideration, please follow our complaints procedure here.

Under certain circumstances outside test centre control, we may have to cancel your test and transfer you to a future date. These circumstances include, but may not limited to, extreme weather conditions, natural disaster, civil unrest, industrial action, global pandemic or for reasons of force majeure.  

In these circumstances, your test centre will provide you with as much notice as possible and give you the choice of either a full refund, or a transfer to a future test date – whichever you prefer.  

If your test is cancelled or postponed due to other circumstances such as technical failure, venue or environmental factors, your test centre will provide you with as much notice as possible and give you the choice of a refund or a transfer to a future test. 

The IELTS Partners are committed to providing services to our customers to the highest global standard. We want to hear from you if you feel we haven’t met your needs, as complaints help us to improve our products, services and test takers’ experience. We strive to resolve any area of dissatisfaction or complaints that you have in a fair and timely manner. 

How can complaints be made? 

If your IELTS experience has not gone the way you expected, the first step is to speak with your test centre. In most cases your test centre will be able to resolve your issue directly. If you are unable to contact your test centre for any reason, you can contact us by following this link. 

You should contact us as soon as possible with your complaint. The sooner we can start investigating your case, the easier it will be to gather all the information needed to provide a full response. Where possible, we encourage you to contact us with your complaint on the day of your test or prior to results release.  

How do we deal with complaints? 

We are committed to offering you the best service we can and work to resolve matters quickly and fairly. All complaints received are dealt with seriously and impartially.  

Your complaint will be dealt with in the strictest confidence, in line with our Privacy Policy. Information about you will be shared internally, only as necessary to investigate the complaint. We will only disclose your information to third parties with your consent, or if we are legally required to do so. 

Who can make a complaint? 

A complaint may be made by the person who is affected by the action, or it may be made by a person acting on behalf of the person affected where that person is a child under 18. 

What types of complaints do we deal with? 

We welcome your contact about any IELTS service offered. This can include (but is not limited to): 

• an issue or inability to register for a test 

• an issue with the way the IELTS test was conducted on test day 

• inappropriate staff and/or examiner conduct  

• an unexplained delay in the release of results 

• a decision for a withheld result or malpractice outcome. 

Complaint-handling principles 

We are continually improving our services and, where possible, will address your complaint at the first point of contact. We will deal with your complaint as quickly as possible and you will be treated with fairness and courtesy at all times. 

We recognise that some cases will need further investigation and if your complaint is referred to our Complaints Team, we will let you know we’ve received your complaint within five working days and will provide a full reply within 20 working days. 

Where it is not possible to resolve your complaint within 20 working days, the Complaints Team will let you know and talk to you about a revised timeline for resolving the issue. 

Making your Complaint 

Complaints must always be made at the earliest opportunity. Any delay in reporting the complaint or incident may limit the ability to carry out a full investigation due to data retention, privacy laws and policy restrictions. 

Complaints must be made using the prescribed form (available via the link above)  

All information provided by you in the course of the complaint will be handled in accordance with the IELTS Privacy Policy and will be kept for a period not exceeding seven years. 

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your complaint, an escalation point and next steps will be outlined in our response. 

Please note: our Complaints Policy is subject to the requirements of laws in force at the test venue, including Consumer Protection laws and relevant legal proceedings. 

At IDP, we take security seriously. Criminal activity of any kind will not be tolerated. If you witness any suspicious activity at your testing centre, please report it to security.ielts@idp.com. 

While IDP IELTS has attempted to make the information on this server as accurate as possible, the information on this website server is for personal and/or educational use only and is provided in good faith without any express or implied warranty. There is no guarantee given as to the accuracy or currency of any individual item on the website. 

Persons accessing the website who require confirmation of any information should refer to IDP’s sourcing the information for this website. IDP does not accept responsibility for any loss or damage occasioned by use of the information contained on the server nor from any access to the server. While IDP will make every effort to ensure the availability and integrity of its resources, it cannot guarantee that these will always be available, and/or free of any defects, including viruses. Users should take this into account when accessing the resources. All access and use is at the risk of the user. 

IDP has provided hypertext links to a number of other web sites as a service to users of this website. This service does not mean that IDP endorses those sites or material on them in any way. IDP is not responsible for the use of a hypertext link for which a commercial charge applies. Individual users are responsible for any charges that their use may incur. 

© IELTS Australia Pty Ltd 2011-2015, with IELTS Australia Pty Ltd solely owned by IDP Education Pty Ltd.