Choosing a test
OET vs IELTS for Nursing: Which Should You Take? (2026)
An honest comparison of OET and IELTS Academic for nurses targeting NMC (UK) or AHPRA (Australia) registration — format, difficulty, writing tasks, availability and how to choose.
Last updated 15 January 2026
Both OET and IELTS Academic are accepted by the NMC (UK) and AHPRA (Australia). Neither is officially "easier" — the right choice depends on how you learn and work.
At a glance
| OET | IELTS Academic | |
|---|---|---|
| Context | Healthcare-specific | General academic |
| Who it's for | Health professionals only | Anyone |
| Writing task | A letter (e.g. referral/discharge) | Task 1 data description + Task 2 essay |
| Speaking | Role-plays with a patient | Interview + long turn + discussion |
| Scoring | Grades A–E (need B) | Bands (need 7.0) |
| Availability | Healthcare test centres / online | Very widely available |
Why many nurses prefer OET
- The reading and listening texts are clinical — case notes, patient conversations, journal extracts. If you work in healthcare, the vocabulary is familiar.
- The writing task is a professional letter, something nurses actually do, rather than an abstract essay.
- The speaking test is a role-play with a "patient" — close to real practice.
Why many choose IELTS
- It's more widely available, often cheaper, and offered more frequently.
- If you already studied for IELTS, you may be close to the score.
- Useful if you also need English for visas or university, where IELTS is standard.
A simple way to decide
- Comfortable with clinical English, want familiar context → OET.
- Need flexibility, wider test dates, or English for other purposes too → IELTS.
- Strong all-rounder → pick whichever is cheaper and sooner near you.
Whatever you choose, the scores you need are the same regulators' thresholds — see our NMC English requirements and AHPRA English requirements guides.
Verify before you book
Accepted tests and scores can change. Confirm with the official NMC or AHPRA website before committing.
Ready to start practising?
Practise with the OET Speaking (Medicine & Nursing) course — free daily questions, every answer explained.
Open the course →Frequently asked questions
Is OET easier than IELTS for nurses?
Neither is officially easier. Nurses often find OET's healthcare context more familiar, especially for writing and speaking, but IELTS is more widely available. Choose based on your comfort and logistics.
Do NMC and AHPRA accept both OET and IELTS?
Yes. Both the NMC (UK) and AHPRA (Australia) accept OET and IELTS Academic, each with its own required scores.
What is the difference in the writing task?
OET writing is a profession-specific letter (such as a referral or discharge letter). IELTS Academic writing is a data-description task plus a formal essay.
Which test is cheaper?
It varies by country, but IELTS is often cheaper and offered more frequently. Check local test-centre pricing for both.