English Language Requirements
When applying for an Australian visa, you may be required to provide evidence of your English language ability. There are five different levels of English and the type of visa sought will determine whether there is an English language criteria to meet, the level required, when it should be met, and how it should be met.
If an English language test result is required, it will need to be obtained from one of the following approved test providers:
IELTS
Pearson PTE
TOEFL iBT
Cambridge C1 Advanced
OET (for medical and allied health professionals)
The minimum English language tests results required for each of the five different levels are as follows:
Superior English
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Pearson PTE | 79 | 79 | 79 | 79 |
| TOEFL iBT | 28 | 29 | 30 | 26 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 |
| OET | A | A | A | A |
If seeking to gain points for the General Skilled Migration program, obtaining Superior English will provide 20 points.
Proficient English
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Pearson PTE | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| TOEFL iBT | 24 | 24 | 27 | 23 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 185 | 185 | 185 | 185 |
| OET | B | B | B | B |
For the General Skilled Migration program, obtaining Proficient English will provide 10 points.
Competent English
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Pearson PTE | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| TOEFL iBT | 12 | 13 | 21 | 18 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
| OET | B | B | B | B |
Functional English will not provide any points for General Skilled Migration but, is enough to meet the minimum English language requirement for that visa program.
Vocational English
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Pearson PTE | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| TOEFL iBT | 4 | 4 | 14 | 14 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 154 | 154 | 154 | 154 |
| OET | B | B | B | B |
Functional English
| Listening Reading Writing Speaking | |
|---|---|
| IELTS | Total score of at least 4.5 |
| Pearson PTE | Total score of at least 30 |
| TOEFL iBT | Total score of at least 32 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | Total score of at least 147 |
| OET | N/A |
Alternatively, completing studies where all instructions were delivered in English will meet the Functional English level as follows:
Completion of a degree, higher degree, diploma or trade certificate that required at least 2 years of full-time study, or
Completion of entire primary school + 3 years of secondary education, or
Completion of at least 5 years of secondary education, or
Within Australia, the completion of at least 1 year of full-time study (or equivalent part-time) towards a degree, higher degree, diploma, or associate diploma
Depending on the visa type, the inclusion of a dependent aged 18 years or over may require them to meet this Functional English language requirement. If they cannot meet that requirement, an additional visa application fee will be payable.
The English language criteria varies from visa to visa. Contact us to discuss what steps you need to complete in your visa application.