English language
You will need to meet our English language requirements to apply for:
- student visas
- skilled visas
- some permanent visas
Check the eligibility pages in the visas you wish to apply for, to see the level required.
See the proof you need to provide to us for:
Functional English
To prove you have functional English, show us evidence that:
- you are a citizen of and hold a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom*, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland. *British National (Overseas) passports are not acceptable as evidence of functional English.
- or
- you completed a degree, a higher degree, a diploma or a trade certificate in an institution in or outside Australia that required at least two years of full-time study and all instructions were in Englishor
- you undertook your education at:
| Institution | Study time |
|---|---|
| a primary school and secondary school where all instruction was in English in or outside Australia | All years of primary and at least 3 years of secondary study |
| a secondary school in or outside Australia where all instruction was in English | At least 5 years of study |
| an institution in Australia where all instruction was in English | At least 1 year of full-time study towards an award |
| an institution in Australia where all instruction was in English | The part-time equivalent of 1 year of full-time study towards an award |
- or
- in the 12 months before you applied for the visa, you scored one of the following:
| Test | Score |
|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training) | An average band score of at least 4.5 based on the 4 test components |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) | A total band score of at least 32 based on the 4 test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | An total band score of at least 30 based on the 4 test components |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | An total band score of at least 147 based on the 4 test components |
Some visas will allow you to submit other forms of evidence. Check the relevant visa pages to find out.
Vocational English
To prove you have vocational English, show us evidence that:
- you are a citizen of and hold a valid passport from the United Kingdom*, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland. *British National (Overseas) passports are not acceptable as evidence of vocational English.
- or
- in the 3 years before you applied for the visa, you scored one of the following:
| Test | Score |
|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training) | At least 5 for each of the 4 test components |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) | At least 4 for listening, 4 for reading, 14 for writing and 14 for speaking |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | At least 36 for each of the 4 test components |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | At least B for each of the 4 test components |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced test | At least 154 in each of the 4 test components |
Some visas will allow you to submit other forms of evidence. Check the relevant visa pages to find out.
Competent English
To prove you have competent English, provide evidence:
- that you are a citizen of and hold a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom*, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland, with your application. *British National (Overseas) passports are not acceptable as evidence of competent English.
- or
- you have an obtained one of the following English language test results:
Specified test results
| Test | Required score |
|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training) | At least 6 for each of the 4 components |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) | At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | At least 50 for each of the 4 components |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | At least B for each of the 4 components |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced test | At least 169 in each of the 4 components |
When to provide proof
When you must have taken your test and how long the test result is valid
| Subclass | Applicant | When to provide | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) | Main/primary | By time of application | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
| Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) – Temporary Residence Transition Stream | Main/primary | By time of application | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
| Business Innovation and Investment (provisional) subclass 188) (Entrepreneur stream) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189)(Points tested stream) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Regional (provisional) (subclass 489)(first provisional stream) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Work Regional (provisional) (subclass 491) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) | Main/Primary | By time of application | The test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
For the subclasses 189, 190, 489 and 491 if you are claiming partner points then your partner must also have Competent English at time of invitation.
To prove you have Proficient English, show us evidence that in the 3 years before we invite you to apply for the visa, you scored one of the following:
| Test | Score* |
|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training) | At least 7 for each of the 4 test components |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) | At least 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | At least 65 for each of the 4 test components |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | At least B for each of the 4 test components |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced test | At least 185 in each of the 4 test components |
Some visas will allow you to submit other forms of evidence. Check the relevant visa pages to find out.
* Any changes to the scores will only be made after careful consideration. Where scores change, a warning notice will be put on this website with information on how it may impact you.
To prove you have Superior English, show us evidence that in the 3 years before we invite you to apply for the visa, you scored one of the following:
| Test | Score* |
|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training) | At least 8 for each of the 4 test components |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) | At least 28 for listening, 29 for reading, 30 for writing and 26 for speaking |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | At least 79 for each of the 4 test components |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | At least A for each of the 4 test components |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced test | At least 200 in each of the 4 test components |
* Any changes to the scores will only be made after careful consideration. Where scores change, a warning notice will be put on this website with information on how it may impact you.