The full TCF costs AU$587 in 2026, or US$455 for the computer test and TCF@Home in the USA, and the price is the same for every profession. TCF on Computer and TCF@Home run on most days of the week, with bookings closing 7 days before the test; TCF on Paper runs on fixed dates about twice a month, with bookings closing 24 days before. Dates change by country and venue, so check the live calendar on the TCF website before you plan around one.
- Full TCF: AU$587 worldwide, or US$455 for computer and TCF@Home tests in the USA.
- Single sub-test retakes cost AU$315 to AU$515, on paper only, after a full test.
- Computer and TCF@Home: dates on most days, bookings close 7 days before.
- Paper: fixed dates about twice a month, bookings close 24 days before.
- Rescheduling and cancelling cost AU$120 or more, so check your date before you pay.
How TCF test dates work
TCF offers three ways to take the test, and each has its own calendar.
| Test type | How often | Bookings close | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCF on Computer at a venue | Most days of the week, at many venues | 7 days before the test (11:59 pm UTC) | As little as 48 hours, 95% within 6 days |
| TCF@Home | Most days of the week | 7 days before the test (11:59 pm UTC) | As little as 48 hours, 95% within 6 days |
| TCF on Paper at a venue | Fixed dates, about twice a month | 24 days before the test | From 5 days (India) to about 12 days (most regions) |
For the computer test, Listening, Reading and Writing are taken together and Speaking is booked as a separate session, often on a different day. TCF@Home is mainly offered where there is no test venue; see the TCF@Home guide for who can take it.
To see the dates open to you, go to the TCF test dates page, enter your country and choose a test type. Each date shows its booking window and the date results will be published by. We link to the official calendar rather than copying it here, because dates are added and venues change through the year.
How much does TCF cost in 2026?
TCF sets one price for the full test, whatever your profession and whichever format you choose. Outside the USA the fee is set in Australian dollars, so the cost in your own currency moves with the exchange rate.
| What you book | Test type | Where | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full TCF (all four sub-tests) | Computer, TCF@Home or paper | All countries except the USA | AU$587 |
| Full TCF (all four sub-tests) | Computer or TCF@Home | USA | US$455 |
| 1 sub-test | Paper only | Most venues outside the USA | AU$315 |
| 2 sub-tests | Paper only | Most venues outside the USA | AU$415 |
| 3 sub-tests | Paper only | Most venues outside the USA | AU$515 |
All prices include a non-refundable AU$7 online booking fee. You can book single sub-tests only if you have already taken the full TCF, and only some regulators accept results combined from more than one sitting. Check yours before you book a partial retake; which countries and regulators accept TCF lists what to ask.
What does it cost to change or cancel an TCF booking?
Plans change, but moving a test is not free, so the cheapest option is to choose a date you are confident about.
Rescheduling a computer or TCF@Home test
You can move to another date, venue or test type up to two days before your first sub-test. If you move Listening, Reading and Writing, you must move Speaking too.
| Change | When | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Full test | Up to 7 days before the test | AU$120 (US$95 in the USA) |
| Full test | Less than 7 days before the test | AU$200 (US$155 in the USA) |
| Speaking only | Up to 7 days before the test | AU$30 (US$25 in the USA) |
Deferring a paper test
Deferring costs AU$120 up to the booking closing date and AU$200 after it. A deferral cannot be reversed.
Cancelling and refunds
| Test type | Cancel up to | Refund before bookings close | Refund after bookings close |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer or TCF@Home | Two days before the test | AU$460 (US$355 in the USA) | AU$380 (US$295 in the USA) |
| Paper | One week before the test | AU$460 | AU$380 |
Refunds for paper bookings of fewer than four sub-tests are smaller. Refunds go back to the card you paid with, usually within 7 to 10 business days. If a result is just short of your target, a re-mark costs AU$120 per sub-test (US$95 in the USA) and is refunded if your grade changes; see TCF results explained.
Fees on this page are from TCF's published booking, rescheduling and cancellation policies as of October 2026. TCF can change them, so confirm the amount on the payment page before you pay.
How to book the TCF
- Check what your regulator accepts. Confirm the grade you need, whether it accepts every test type (some limit TCF@Home or how Speaking is taken), and how recent the result must be.
- Create an account on the TCF website. Use your name exactly as it appears on your passport or the ID you will bring on test day.
- Choose your test type and location. Enter your country to see which formats and venues are available.
- Choose your profession and date. For the computer test, also pick a Speaking session.
- Pay the fee. You will get a confirmation, and test day instructions closer to the date.
When should you book your TCF?
Work backwards from the date your regulator or employer needs your result, and book when your practice scores show you are ready, not before.
| Step | Date | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Result needed | 1 March | Regulator application deadline |
| Back-up test date | About 10 February | Time for computer results and one retake if a sub-test falls short |
| First test date | About 20 January | Leaves three weeks before the back-up date |
| Book by | Early January | Before bookings close, and once mock scores are 350 or more |
| Start preparing | Early November | About eight weeks of study before the first test |
With paper tests, add more time: bookings close 24 days ahead and results take longer outside India and the Philippines.
How to get your money's worth from the fee
At AU$587 a sitting, the cheapest TCF is the one you only take once. Before you book:
- Take a full sample test under real timing and mark it honestly. See free TCF sample tests.
- Get every sub-test to 350 or more in practice, with a margin, because there is no overall score to carry a weak sub-test.
- Follow a plan. The 8-week TCF study plan builds up to test day week by week.
Exam Hero's free account includes one full-length TCF mock test with AI scores for Writing and Speaking, so you can see where you stand before you pay for the real test.
