English Test Score Levels for Australian Visas
Most Australian visas require applicants to demonstrate English language ability through an approved language test.
Accepted tests include:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
- Occupational English Test (OET)
- Cambridge C1 Advanced
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General)
- LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic)
- Michigan English Test (MET)
English Standards for Australian Migration
| EXAM TYPE | SUPERIOR | PROFICIENT | COMPETENT | VOCATIONAL | FUNCTIONAL* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International English Test System (IELTS) | at least 8 across all 4 components | at least 7 across all 4 components | at least 6 across all 4 components | at least 5 across all 4 components | at least 4.5 average band score |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | 390 listening; 400; reading; 420 writing; 400 speaking | 350 listening; 360 reading; 380 writing; 360 speaking | 290 listening; 310 reading; 290 writing; 330 speaking | 220 listening; 240 reading; 200 writing; 270 speaking | at least 1020 overall band score |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT) | 26 listening; 27 reading; 30 writing; 28 speaking | 22 listening; 22 reading; 26 writing; 24 speaking | 16 listening; 16 reading; 19 writing; 19 speaking | 8 listening; 8 reading; 9 writing; 14 speaking | at least 26 total band score |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | 69 listening; 70 reading; 85 writing; 88 speaking | 58 listening; 59 reading; 69 writing; 76 speaking | 47 listening; 48 reading; 51 writing; 54 speaking | 33 listening; 36 reading; 29 writing; 24 speaking | at least 24 overall band score |
| Cambridge English Advanced Certificate in Advanced English | 186 listening; 190 reading; 210 writing; 208 speaking | 175 listening; 179 reading; 193 writing; 194 speaking | 163 listening; 163 reading; 170 writing; 179 speaking; | excluded | at least 147 overall score |
| Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General) | 10 listening; 10 reading; 12 writing; 10 speaking | 9 listening; 8 reading; 10 writing; 8 speaking | at least 7 across all 4 components | at least 5 across all 4 components | at least 5 overall band score |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic Test | 80 listening; 83 reading; 89 writing; 89 speaking | 67 listening; 71 reading; 78 writing; 82 speaking | 57 listening; 60 reading; 64 writing; 70 speaking | 41 listening; 44 reading; 45 writing; 54 speaking | at least 38 overall band score |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | excluded | 61 listening; 63 reading; 74 writing; 59 speaking | 56 listening; 55 reading; 57 writing; 48 speaking | 49 listening; 47 reading; 45 writing; 38 speaking | at least 38 overall band score |
| Passport satisfying automatic eligibility | UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Ireland | UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Ireland | UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Ireland |
The table below summarises the required scores for common Australian visa categories.
English Test Requirements for Common Australian Visa Subclasses (482, 485, 500)
| EXAM TYPE | Skills in Demand 482 Visa** | Temporary Graduate 485 Visas | Temporary Graduate 485 Visas (Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders) | Student 500 Visa*** | Student 500 Visa (criteria 1)*** | Student 500 Visa (criteria 2)*** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International English Test System (IELTS) | 5.0 listening; 5.0 reading; 5.0 writting; 5.0 speaking | an average band score of at least 6.5; and at least 5.5 for each English test component. | overall band score of at least 6.0; and at least 5.0 for each English test component. | overall score of 6.0. | overall score 5.5. | overall score of 5.0. |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | 220 listening; 240 reading; 200 writting; 270 speaking | an overall band score of at least 1310; and a score of at least 260 listening; 280 reading; 260 writing; and 310 speaking | overall score of at least 1210; and a score of at least 220 listening; 240 reading; 200 writing; 270 speaking | overall score of 1210. | overall score of 1090. | overall score of 1020. |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT) | 8 listening; 8 reading; 9 writing; 14 speaking | overall score of at least 81; and 12 listening; 12 reading; 14 writing; 17 speaking | overall score of at least 67; and a score of at least 8 listening; 8 reading; 9 writing; 14 speaking. | overall score of 67. | overall score of 51. | overall score of 37. |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | 33 listening; 36 reading; 29 writing; 24 speaking | overall band score of at least 55; and 40 listening; 42 reading; 41 writing; 39 speaking | overall band score of at least 47; and a score of at least 33 listening; 36 reading; 29 writing; 24 speaking. | overall score of 47. | overall band score of 39. | overall band score of 31. |
| C1 Advanced | not applicable. | not applicable. | not applicable. | overall score of 161. | not applicable. | not applicable. |
| Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General) | 5 listening; 5 reading; 5 writting; 5 speaking | an overall score of at least 8; and 6 listening; 6 reading; 6 writing; 6 speaking. | an overall band score of at least 7; and a score of at least 5 for each English test component. | overall band score of 7. | overall band score of 6. | overall band score of 5. |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic) | 41 listening; 44 reading; 45 writing ; 54 speaking. | an overall score of at least 67; and 49 listening; 54 reading; 56 writing; and 62 speaking. | an overall band score of at least 61; and a score of at least 41 listening; 44 reading; 45 writing; 54 speaking | overall band score of 61. | overall band score of 54. | overall band score of 46. |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | 49 listening; 47 reading; 45 writing; 38 speaking. | an overall score of at least 58; and 53 listening; 51 reading; 51 writing; and 43 speaking | an overall band score of at least 53; and a score of at least 49 listening; 47 reading; 45 writing; 38 speaking | overall band score of 53. | overall band score of 49. | overall band score of 44. |
| Passport satisfying automatic eligibility | UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Ireland | UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Ireland | UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Ireland | UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Ireland | UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Ireland |
Applicants must achieve the minimum score required for their visa category.
** Skills in Demand 482 Visa Standards are also satisfied if:
- The applicant completed at least 5 years of full-time study in a secondary education institution or higher education institution where the instruction was delivered in English;
- Other specific exemptions may also apply depending on the individual nature of the occupation and sponsorship – please contact us for further details.
*** Student 500 Visa Standards are also satisfied if:
- The applicant has successfully completed a minimum of 5 years of study in English undertaken in one or more of the following countries; Australia, Canada, NZ, South Africa, Ireland, UK or USA.
- The applicant is enrolled in a course of study that is registered to be delivered in a language other than English; or an ELICOS course; or a registered school course; or a registered post-graduate research course.
- The applicant is a Foreign Affairs student, a Defence student, or a Secondary exchange student.
- The applicant has successfully completed the requirements for a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education in a course that was conducted in Australia and in English (in the 2 years before applying for the student visa).
- The applicant has successfully completed a substantial component of a course leading to a qualification form the Australian Qualifications Framework at the Certificate IV or higher level that was conducted in Australia and in English while holding a student visa (in the 2 years before applying for the student visa).
*** Special criteria apply for Student 500 Visa applicants:
- criteria 1 applies if the applicant is enrolled in at least 10 weeks of an ELICOS that accompanies a principal course; or a standard foundation program; or an extended foundation program; or a registered “eligible pathway program“.
- criteria 2 applies if the applicant is enrolled in at least 20 weeks of an ELICOS that accompanies a principal course.
* FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH is also satisfied if:
- The applicant provides evidence of having completed a degree, a higher degree, a diploma or a associate diploma that required at least 2 years of full-time study or training, where all the instructions was completed in English; or
- The applicant provides evidence of having completed all years of primary education and at least 3 years of secondary education at educational institutions in which all the instructions was conducted in English; or
- The applicant provides evidence of having completed at least 5 years of secondary education at educational institutions in which all the instructions was conducted in English; or
- The applicant provides evidence of successfully completing at least 1 year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study in Australia, towards a degree, higher degree, diploma, or associate diploma at an institution or institutions where all the instructions was conducted in English.
Levels of English for Australian Migration
Australian visa programs classify English ability into several levels:
Functional English
Basic English ability required for some family visas and exemptions from English language charges.
Vocational English
Higher level used for some temporary visas.
Competent English
Common requirement for skilled migration visas.
Proficient English
Higher score that may provide additional migration points.
Superior English
Highest level and provides maximum points for skilled migration.
* Please note that the information provided herein is of a general nature only and is not individual legal advice. Contact Us to assess your circumstances.
FAQs
What English test is accepted for Australian visas?
Accepted English tests include IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Occupational English Test (OET), and Cambridge C1 Advanced.
What IELTS score is required for an Australian visa?
The IELTS score required depends on the visa type. For example, many skilled visas require Competent English, which is typically IELTS 6.0 in each component.
Can you get an Australian visa without an English test?
Some applicants may be exempt from English tests if they hold passports from certain countries or have completed education in English.