IELTS One Skill Retake: how it works and who accepts it

Pricing is set per country. Published fees we re-checked on 10 October 2026: AUD 310 in Australia (IDP) and INR 12,650 in India (IDP India). In Nepal, IDP offers it in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan without publishing the fee online. For the UK and other countries, check your test centre; ielts.org says prices vary by location.

United Kingdom: yes. The UK government approved One Skill Retake for Secure English Language Test purposes in October 2023, for Academic and General Training on computer in selected locations (IELTS news).

Australia: yes. The Home Affairs approved-test list reads "IELTS Academic, including One Skill Retake" and the same for General Training, for eligible visas (Home Affairs, updated February 2026).

Canada: no for Express Entry. IRCC states plainly that it does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry (IRCC). Study permits depend on what your designated learning institution accepts.

New Zealand: all universities accept it, per an IELTS announcement in October 2024.

The retake TRF has a new number, is marked "IELTS One Skill Retake", flags the retaken skill, and recalculates the overall band from the four scores. It keeps the original test date at the top, so the two-year validity does not restart. You choose whether to use the original or the retake TRF. Organisations verify either through the IELTS Results Service (details).

It is worth it when one skill is clearly below the others and the gap is half a band. It is not a substitute for preparation: you get one attempt inside 60 days, at roughly two-thirds the price of a full test. Take a scored mock of that one module first so you know the gap is closable before you pay.