ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS
If you are applying for Skilled Migration, you will need to prove your English language ability. The required level of English depends on the visa subclass you are applying for and there are 4 different levels of English which may be relevant:
- Superior English:20 points in GSM points test
- Proficient English:10 points in GSM points test
- Competent English:threshold requirement for General Skilled Migration and ENS and RSMS
- Vocational English:previously important for General Skilled Migration and Employer Sponsored Visas
- Functional English:for secondary applicants seeking to avoid paying the English Language Charge
Acceptable other English tests
- PTE – Pearson Test of English (Academic)
- IELTS – International English Language Testing System (Academic or General Module)
- OET – Occupational English Test
- TOEFL iBT – Test of English as a Foreign Language (internet-based test)
- CAE – Cambridge English: Advanced
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025
The department accepts test scores from the following tests that are undertaken at a secure test centre:
- Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced)
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General)
- International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic), including One Skill Retake (OSR)
- International English Language Testing System General Training (IELTS General Training), including One Skill Retake (OSR)
- LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic)
- Michigan English Test (MET), including Single Section Retake (SSR)
- Occupational English Test (OET)
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
For tests taken on or before 6 August 2025
The department still accepts test scores from the following tests, up until certain timeframes, that are undertaken at a secure test centre:
- Cambridge English (CAE) (also known as C1 Advanced)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS), including One Skill Retake (OSR)
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
- Occupational English Test (OET)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT).
Online Test Restrictions
The department does not accept evidence from English language tests that are conducted entirely online, including those that are remote-proctored or taken at home.
Examples of online tests that are not accepted for Australian visa purposes include:
- CELPIP Online
- IELTS Online
- LANGUAGECERT Academic Online
- MET Digital (taken at-home)
- OET@Home
- TOEFL iBT – Home Edition
Here are the equivalents across the five different exams:
| English Language |
Test component
|
CELPIP
|
IELTS AC.
|
IELTS GEN.
|
MET | OET |
LANGUAGECERT Ac.
|
PTE
|
TOFEL Ibt
|
| proficiency level | |||||||||
| Functional | Average/total/ overall across test components | 5 overall | 4.5 ave. | 4.5 ave. | 38 overall | 1020 overall | 38 overall | 24 overall | 26 total |
|
Vocational
|
Listening | 5 | 5 | 5 | 49 | 220 | 41 | 33 | 8 |
| Reading | 5 | 5 | 5 | 47 | 240 | 44 | 36 | 8 | |
| Writing | 5 | 5 | 5 | 45 | 200 | 45 | 29 | 9 | |
| Speaking | 5 | 5 | 5 | 38 | 270 | 54 | 24 | 14 | |
|
Competent
|
Listening | 7 | 6 | 6 | 56 | 290 | 57 | 47 | 16 |
| Reading | 7 | 6 | 6 | 55 | 310 | 60 | 48 | 16 | |
| Writing | 7 | 6 | 6 | 57 | 290 | 64 | 51 | 19 | |
| Speaking | 7 | 6 | 6 | 48 | 330 | 70 | 54 | 19 | |
|
Proficient (for points tested Skilled visas)
|
Listening | 9 | 7 | 7 | 61 | 350 | 67 | 58 | 22 |
| Reading | 8 | 7 | 7 | 63 | 360 | 71 | 59 | 22 | |
| Writing | 10 | 7 | 7 | 74 | 380 | 78 | 69 | 26 | |
| Speaking | 8 | 7 | 7 | 59 | 360 | 82 | 76 | 24 | |
|
Superior (for points tested Skilled visas)
|
Listening | 10 | 8 | 8 | NA | 390 | 80 | 69 | 26 |
| Reading | 10 | 8 | 8 | NA | 400 | 83 | 70 | 27 | |
| Writing | 12 | 8 | 8 | NA | 420 | 89 | 85 | 30 | |
| Speaking | 10 | 8 | 8 | NA | 400 | 89 | 88 | 28 |
Certain migration skills assessment authorities require specific English exams to be taken. Such examples include the PTE or IELTS Academic module for accounting professionals and medical professionals (instead of the General Training module). We recommend to get the Migration Consultant’s opinion in order to assess your English language testing needs before proceeding with booking a test.
Time Taken for Results
PTE – Results available 5 business days after the test
IELTS – Results available 13 calendar days after the test (05- 07 days for computer-based exams)
OET – Results available 16 business days after the test (add 7 to 10 business days for post)
TOEFL iBT – Results available 10 calendar days after the test (add 4 to 6 weeks for post)
CAE – Results available 4-6 weeks after the test (2 weeks for computer-based exams)
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