English Language
English Language Visa Requirements
English language requirements generally apply to applicants wanting to study or work in Australia.
You will need to check the eligibility page for the visa subclass you wish to apply for, to see what level of English you need and what evidence you must provide.
The Department accepts scores from the following tests undertaken at a secure test centre for English language visa requirements:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS), including One Skill Retake (OSR)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE)
- Cambridge English (CAE) (also known as C1 Advanced)
- Occupational English Test (OET), noting this is a test developed for health professionals
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT).
From 14 December 2022, IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) will be available for certain test takers. OSR allows test takers to retake one of the four test components in either reading, writing, speaking or listening (once only).
For Australian visa purposes, the Department will accept IELTS test results that include OSR, with the exception of applications for subclasses 476, 482, and 485, which need scores from a single sitting/attempt.
From 12 February 2024, only results from the paper-based Cambridge C1 Advanced test (previously known as Cambridge English: Advanced CAE) will be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes.
Test scores for both C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests, taken before 12 February 2024, within the specified validity period (see relevant eligibility pages linked below), are still accepted.
TOEFL iBT tests that were completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 will not be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. During this period, the TOEFL iBT test being offered was not an approved test.
See what evidence you need to provide for:
At-home or online English language tests
Some test providers offer alternative versions of their tests that you can take at home or online, such as TOEFL iBT – Home Edition, OET@Home, PTE Academic Online, IELTS Online (General and Academic) and IELTS Indicator.
Home Affairs does not accept scores from these tests, or any other ‘at-home’ or ‘online’ tests for Australian migration purposes.
Functional English
At-home or online tests
Some test providers offer alternative versions of their tests that you can take at home or online, such as TOEFL iBT – Home Edition, OET@Home, PTE Academic Online, IELTS Online (General and Academic) and IELTS Indicator. Home Affairs does not accept any ’at-home’ or ‘online’ test for Australian migration purposes.
The Department accepts scores from approved tests undertaken at secure test centres. The tests accepted by the Department are listed in the table below. If you have questions about a particular test, you can contact the test provider.
To prove you have functional English, show us evidence of one of the following:
- 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.
- 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 English.
- You undertook your education at:
How long you must have studied at particular educational institutions
| 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) TOEFL iBT tests that were completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 will not be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. During this period, the TOEFL iBT test being offered was not an approved test. | 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) | A total band score of at least 30 based on the 4 test components |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) From 12 February 2024, only results from the paper-based Cambridge C1 Advanced test (previously known as Cambridge English: Advanced CAE) will be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. Test scores for both C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests, taken before 12 February 2024, are still accepted. | A 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
At-home or online tests
Some test providers offer alternative versions of their tests that you can take at home or online, such as TOEFL iBT – Home Edition, OET@Home, PTE Academic Online, IELTS Online (General and Academic) and IELTS Indicator. Home Affairs does not accept any ’at-home’ or ‘online’ test for Australian migration purposes.
The Department accepts scores from approved tests undertaken at secure test centres. The tests accepted by the Department are listed in the table below. If you have questions about a particular test, you can contact the test provider.
To prove you have vocational English, show us evidence of one of the following:
- 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.
- In the 3 years before you applied for the visa, you scored one of the following:
Specified test results
| 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) TOEFL iBT tests that were completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 will not be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. During this period, the TOEFL iBT test being offered was not an approved test. | 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 From 12 February 2024, only results from the paper-based Cambridge C1 Advanced test (previously known as Cambridge English: Advanced CAE) will be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. Test scores for both C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests, taken before 12 February 2024, are still accepted. | 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
At-home or online tests
Some test providers offer alternative versions of their tests that you can take at home or online, such as TOEFL iBT – Home Edition, OET@Home, PTE Academic Online, IELTS Online (General and Academic) and IELTS Indicator. Home Affairs does not accept any ’at-home’ or ‘online’ test for Australian migration purposes.
The Department accepts scores from approved tests undertaken at secure test centres. The tests accepted by the Department are listed in the table below. If you have questions about a particular test, you can contact the test provider.
What to provide
To prove you have competent English, provide evidence of one of the following:
- 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.
- You have an obtained one of the following English language test results:
Specified test results
| Test | 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) TOEFL iBT tests that were completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024, will not be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. During this period, the TOEFL iBT test being offered was not an approved test. |
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 From 12 February 2024, only results from the paper-based Cambridge C1 Advanced test (previously known as Cambridge English: Advanced CAE) will be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. Test scores for both C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests, taken before 12 February 2024, are still accepted. |
At least 169 in each of the 4 components |
When to provide proof
When you must have taken your test and when to provide it
| 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, your partner must also have competent English at the time of invitation.
Proficient English
At-home or online tests
Some test providers offer alternative versions of their tests that you can take at home or online, such as TOEFL iBT – Home Edition, OET@Home, PTE Academic Online, IELTS Online (General and Academic) and IELTS Indicator. Home Affairs does not accept any ’at-home’ or ‘online’ test for Australian migration purposes.
The Department accepts scores from approved tests undertaken at secure test centres. The tests accepted by the Department are listed in the table below. If you have questions about a particular test, you can contact the test provider.
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:
Specified test results
| 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) TOEFL iBT tests that were completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 will not be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. During this period, the TOEFL iBT test being offered was not an approved test. |
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 From 12 February 2024, only results from the paper-based Cambridge C1 Advanced test (previously known as Cambridge English: Advanced CAE) will be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. Test scores for both C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests, taken before 12 February 2024, are still accepted. |
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.
Superior English
At-home or online tests
Some test providers offer alternative versions of their tests that you can take at home or online, such as TOEFL iBT – Home Edition, OET@Home, PTE Academic Online, IELTS Online (General and Academic) and IELTS Indicator. Home Affairs does not accept any ’at-home’ or ‘online’ test for Australian migration purposes.
The Department accepts scores from approved tests undertaken at secure test centres. The tests accepted by the Department are listed in the table below. If you have questions about a particular test, you can contact the test provider.
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:
Specified test results
| 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) TOEFL iBT tests that were completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 will not be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. During this period, the TOEFL iBT test being offered was not an approved test. |
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 From 12 February 2024, only results from the paper-based Cambridge C1 Advanced test (previously known as Cambridge English: Advanced CAE) will be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. Test scores for both C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests, taken before 12 February 2024, are still accepted. |
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.
