If you are an international student enrolled in an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) program at an Australian university, the LANTITE applies to you. There are no exemptions based on nationality, country of origin, or prior language of study. Every pre-service teacher in Australia must meet the same standard before graduating.
Who Must Sit the LANTITE?
All students enrolled in an accredited ITE program in Australia are required to sit both the Literacy and Numeracy components of the LANTITE. This requirement covers domestic and international students equally. Your university will notify you of the point in your program by which you must have achieved the standard. Check with your institution for their specific requirements.
No English-Language Exemptions
The LANTITE is not an English-language proficiency test. It does not duplicate tests like IELTS or TOEFL. Instead, it assesses the personal literacy and numeracy skills that teachers need to function effectively in professional life and in schools. Because these are professional skills, not language admission criteria, no exemptions are granted based on English-language background, regardless of prior qualifications or test scores.
What the Test Actually Assesses
The LANTITE measures skills against the top 30% of the Australian adult population (the 70th percentile), validated against the OECD PIAAC international assessment. Results are reported in three bands:
| Band | Label | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | Below standard | Did not meet the required level |
| Band 2 | At or above standard | Met the standard; eligible to graduate |
| Band 3 | Clearly above standard | Exceeded the standard |
The pass standard is the same for every candidate. There is no adjusted benchmark for international students.
Test Structure at a Glance
Both components contain 65 questions each and allow 120 minutes. The Literacy test covers reading comprehension across a range of text types (100 to 900 words) and a Teaching Skills and Written Language section covering grammar, spelling, punctuation, and text organisation. The Numeracy test is split into a calculator-permitted section (52 questions) and a no-calculator section (13 questions) covering number, measurement, geometry, statistics, and probability in real-life contexts.
The content is drawn from everyday situations: approximately 45 to 55% personal and community contexts, 30 to 40% schools and teaching contexts, and 10 to 20% further education contexts. This means you will encounter familiar scenarios even if you are new to Australian schooling.
Reasonable Adjustments
ACER offers reasonable adjustments for candidates with a disability, medical condition, or other circumstance that may affect their ability to sit the test under standard conditions. This process is available to all candidates, including international students. You will need to apply through the ACER registration portal and provide supporting documentation. For current details on eligibility and the application process, visit teacheredtest.acer.edu.au/register.
Preparation Advice for International Students
Because the test uses Australian contexts (NAPLAN data, ATAR scores, GST calculations, metric units, timetables), it is worth familiarising yourself with these before test day. A few specific areas to focus on:
- Numeracy: GST (goods and services tax), Australian currency calculations, metric conversion, and reading box plots or NAPLAN-style data displays.
- Literacy reading: Mixed-format texts including tables, graphs, and prose passages. Practice integrating information across multiple formats.
- Literacy writing skills: Australian Standard English conventions including punctuation rules (commas, apostrophes, semi-colons), spelling of technical terms, and logical paragraph structure.
The ACER preparation resources at teacheredtest.acer.edu.au/prepare include sample questions drawn from real test material. Working through timed practice under exam conditions is the most effective way to build confidence regardless of your starting point.
Practice Under Real Test Conditions
Our full-length LANTITE practice tests mirror the format, timing, and question style of the actual exam. Start with the component you want to build confidence in.
View All Practice TestsAll facts on this page are sourced directly from teacheredtest.acer.edu.au. For the latest information, always refer to the ACER website.