English language requirements for skilled visas
English language requirements for skilled visas
If you are applying for a skilled migration visa, you need to meet the required English language criteria. Depending on the visa subclass you are applying for, you can demonstrate this in several ways:
- If you are a passport holder of United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, United States or the Republic of Ireland.
- If you have sat an approved English Language test and got the required scores
Certain visa subclasses may also have English Language exemptions.
Which tests are accepted by Department of Home Affairs?
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Testing of English as a Foreign Language Internet based Test (TOEFL iBT)
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
- Occupational English Test (OET)
- Cambridge C1 Advanced test
For immigration purposes, typically English Language tests are valid for three years from the date the test was undertaken.
What are the English language requirements and when do you need to provide evidence?
The table sets out the English language requirements for the main visa applicant:
| Subclass | English language requirement |
When to provide |
| Skilled Independent(subclass 189) |
Competent | By time of invitation |
| Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) | Competent | By time of invitation |
| Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) | Competent | By time of invitation |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) | Competent | At time of application |
| Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187) - Direct Entry | Competent | At time of application |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored (subclass 494) | Competent | At time of application |
Competent English
| Reading | Writing |
Speaking |
Listening |
|
| IELTS |
6.0 | 6.0 |
6.0 | 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT |
13 | 21 |
18 | 12 |
| PTE Academic |
50 | 50 | 50 |
50 |
| OET | B | B |
B |
B |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced Test |
169 | 169 |
169 | 169 |
Proficient English
If you demonstrate proficient English, you can claim 10 points for English Language ability. For the purposes of an EOI, all applicants are required to undertake English language test to obtain points.
| |
Reading |
Writing |
Speaking |
Listening |
| IELTS |
7.0 | 7.0 |
7.0 | 7.0 |
| TOEFL iBT |
24 | 27 | 23 | 24 |
| PTE Academic |
65 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| OET | B | B | B | B |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced Test |
185 | 185 | 185 | 185 |
Superior English
If you demonstrate superior English, you can claim 20 points for English Language Ability. For the purposes of an EOI, all applicants are required to undertake English language test to obtain points.
| Reading | Writing | Speaking | Listening | |
| IELTS | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 29 | 30 | 26 | 28 |
| PTE Academic | 79 | 79 | 79 | 79 |
| OET | A | A | A | A |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced Test | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 |
Functional English
- Functional English can be evidenced in several ways:
- Completing a degree, higher degree, a diploma, or a trade qualification that required at least 2 years full-time study or training and all instruction was in English; or \
- Completing all years of primary education and at least 3 years of secondary education at educational institutions in which all instructions was conducted in English; or
- Completing five years secondary education at institutions in which all instruction was conducted in English; or
- Completing at least 1 year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study towards a degree, higher degree, diploma or associate diploma at an Australian institution/s where all instruction was conducted in English; or
- Holder of a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland, to a citizen of that country; or
- The department of home affairs may establish functional English by carrying out an interview in certain cases; or
- Completion of an accepted test not more than 12 months before lodging the visa application:
| Test | Average test score |
| IELTS | 4.5 |
| TOEFT iBT |
32 |
| PTE Academic |
30 |
| Cambridge English Advanced(CAE) |
147 |