title: The consequences of English language testing for international health professionals and students: An Australian case study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the perceptions about the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and its impact on migration and practice of migrant health professionals in Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thematic analysis of interviews with 14 health industry participants and 35 migrated health professionals in Australia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Language testing is a barrier to health professional registration for migrant health workers in Australia. While two English language tests are recognised by the registration authorities in Australia, it is the International English Language Testing System that is most commonly used. This paper reports that study participants had underlying negative perceptions of the International English Language Testing System which they report, affect their move to Australia. These negative perceptions are caused by: frustration due to changes to processes for migration and registration; challenges regarding the structure of IELTS including timing of when test results expire, scoring requirements, cost, and suitability; and the resulting feelings of inadequacy caused by the test itself.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has shown that some respondents have experienced difficulties in relation to the International English Language Testing System as part of their migration process. It was found that there is very little research into the effectiveness of the IELTS as it is currently administered for overseas health care professionals. Several recommendations are provided including areas for further research.
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development at University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123 Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rumsey
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development at University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123 Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia. Electronic address: Jodi.thiessen@uts.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jodi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thiessen
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development at University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123 Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buchan
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development at University of Technology Sydney, P.O. Box 123 Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia; Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Daly
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006281:Health Occupations / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male
keywords: English language testing; Health professionals; IELTS; Practice standards; Skilled migration