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 186 ENS/187 RSMS Direct and Transition stream
• Vocational English
• Functional English: for secondary applicants seeking to avoid paying the English Language Charge
  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.

The timing of the English language requirement depends on the type of visa being applied for:

• General Skilled Migration: time of invitation
• RSMS 187 visa and ENS 186 visas: time of application

As it can take some time to obtain a booking for a test and to receive the results, you may wish to plan to take the English test well ahead of time.

Tests conducted up to 3 years prior to lodgement of an application will be accepted by the Department of Immigration.

Functional English requires testing to have been done at most 12 months before lodgement.

The IELTS test / IELTS Australia /computer-delivered IELTS is the most common way of evidencing English language ability. Either the Academic or General Training versions of the test are acceptable to the Department of Immigration, but some skills assessing authorities require applicants to sit the Academic version. You will need to obtain a minimum score in each band of the IELTS (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking) in a single sitting.

The Occupational English Test (OET) is also accepted as evidence of proficient and superior levels of English. The OET is only appropriate for medical and allied health professionals.

The Pearson Academic Test of English (Pearson PTE) and TOEFL Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT) are now accepted for all skilled subclasses. Most state and territory governments also recognise these tests, as do some skills assessment authorities.

The Cambridge Test of English is also accepted from January 2015.

You can read more about the pros and cons of each English test in our article here.

When applying for student, skilled and some permanent visas, you will need to meet our English language requirements. The Department does not accept scores from remote or ‘at home’ English language tests as evidence of English language competency. For more information about English language test scores DHA accept for visa purposes, please refer to our English language.

Vocational English is the required level to obtain for RSMS 187 visa through the Temporary Residence Transitional stream for people who have held a TSS visa for 3 years with the employer.

Required scores to establish Vocational English are as follows:

For most skilled visas, you will need to show at least Competent English to meet the threshold criteria. Competent English is also required for the 186 Direct and Transition streams. If you hold a passport from one of the following 5 countries, you can establish competent English without completing an English test:

1. Canada
2. New Zealand
3. United Kingdom
4. United States
5. Ireland

Otherwise, you would need to complete a recognised English language test and obtain the following score:

Competent English gives you 0 points in the Skilled Migration Points Test, but is an essential requirement to be able to lodge a skilled visa.

If you demonstrate proficient English, this will give you 10 points for English language ability.

Even native English speakers must undertake English language testing to obtain points for proficient English or higher.

Scores required for Proficient English are:

If you demonstrate superior English, this will give the maximum of 20 points for English language ability. Minimum scores for Superior English are:

If your spouse or partner has less than functional English, then you would need to pay the “English Education Charge” to cover English language tuition in applying for skilled migration.

You can show you have functional English ability by providing evidence of one of the following:

1. Completion of a degree, higher degree, diploma or trade certificate that required at least 2 years of study in English medium
2. Completion of all years of primary education and at least 3 years of secondary education in English medium; or
3. Completion of at least 5 years of secondary education in English medium; or
4. Scoring at least 4.5 averaged over the four components of the IELTS test within the 12 months before application, or during processing; or
5. Completion in Australia of at least 1 year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study towards a degree, higher degree, diploma, or associate diploma in English medium.
6. In some circumstances, functional English can be established via interview

You can also demonstrate functional English by completing an English test and scoring as follows:

Applying for migration to Australia can be complex, so we recommend that you book a consultation to check your likely eligibility for immigration to Australia before you proceed with an application