About the test

Tests in each language are run at least 4 times per year (monthly for high demand languages). You can search for upcoming test dates here.

Read the detailed candidate instructions under the ‘Prepare for your test‘ tab

What is the CCL Test?

The CCL test will require the candidate to interpret two pre-recorded conversations, known as dialogues, between two people: a native English speaker and a native speaker of the language other than English (LOTE).

Each dialogue is approximately 300 words (or a few minutes of audio recording), with about half in English and half in the LOTE. Each dialogue will be about a different topic (see below). The dialogues are divided into short segments of 35 words or less, which make up the conversation.

After each segment has played, a chime will sound, and then the test candidate will interpret what has been said.

Candidates must begin interpreting within five (5) seconds of the chime sound. Long pauses may result in marks being deducted, particularly if it results in the total test recording going for longer than 20 minutes.

All CCL tests are delivered online on a testing platform called Televic. Test times are scheduled at Australian Eastern Time (Sydney/Canberra/Melbourne time). NAATI uses an online proctoring program called Proctor Exam to make sure all tests are valid and are sat by the correct person.

Topics Covered:

Each dialogue will be about a different topic which reflect real-life situations in Australian society. They are designed to examine a candidate’s ability to understand both languages and communicate in them. The topics may include:

Test assessment and results

The CCL test is marked by trained, impartial examiners. The examiners assess each candidate’s ability to communicate in both tested languages. You should read NAATI’s language policy to understand how the examiners will assess the use of your language in the test.

How to apply

To apply for the CCL test, you will need to create an account in our customer portal,  myNAATI, and submit your application from there.

Step one: Create a myNAATI account and submit an application.

Step two: You will receive an email once your application is processed by NAATI (generally within two business days).

Step three: Select a test date and pay the test fee.

Create a myNAATI account and submit your application:

To submit your application, you will need to provide:

• Full name (given name/s and family name)
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Country of birth
• Address
• Email address
• Phone number
• Photo of your face, similar to what you would submit with a passport application
• A scan of an identity document (such as your valid passport or Australian driver’s licence).

Read the photo requirements and full list of ID documents accepted by NAATI by clicking here.

Application Process:

NAATI will process your application by checking the information submitted. This is generally within two business days.

NAATI will reject your application if you do not upload a scan of an identity document.

You cannot select a test date until NAATI has approved your application.

Select a test date:

You will be invited (via email from noreply@naati.com.au) to select a test date once your application is approved. To select a test date, you will need to log in to your myNAATI account again. You will need to pay the test fee when you select your test date.

View our terms and conditions here.

You can search for upcoming test dates on our website here. Note that test dates are shown live, which means they may have already been booked by other candidates by the time you go to book through myNAATI.

We will send you a reminder email 10 days prior to your test date from noreply@naati.com.au.

Test Fee Summary:

Candidate instructions

All applicants are required to read the candidate instructions in full before the test. They detail the steps you need to take before your test day, what happens on test day, and how to get support.

Note that you will need to make sure your equipment and systems are suitable for the test (found under the ‘Prerequisites‘ tab).

Preparing for your test

Below are some suggestions on how to prepare for your test, as well as three types of practice tests that NAATI offers to help you.

NAATI is aware that some organisations offer training or courses claiming to prepare people for the NAATI CCL test. While we encourage training and preparation for any language test, we do not formally endorse any of these courses. NAATI sets the test and is the authority which issues the result. Candidates should be aware that organisations offering training do not have unique information about the test.

Practicing your language skills:

The best way to prepare for your test is to keep practicing your languages and skills. There are lots of ways to do this. Here are some suggestions:

• Record passages from the radio and television. Listen to them and repeat them in the same language. Try two sentences first, then four, then six… test your limits. If you can record yourself, it will help you to assess your progress as well as help you get used to talking while being recorded. Then listen to a passage and respond by transferring the meaning into your other language.
• Get someone to read sentences from a paper and then transfer the meaning into your other language ‘off the cuff’. This will help you build up your speed.
• You should ‘immerse’ yourself in the language in which you are least confident. If your first language is English, listen to and talk as much as you can in your other language. If your first language is another language, listen to and use as much English as possible.
• When you are confident with your skills, practise using other practice materials. Record yourself and play it back. Listen to yourself analysing how well you have conveyed the meaning and the clarity of your language.
• Pick up literature or brochures in both languages. These might be available from a government department or online. View them critically and try to learn as much terminology as possible. Read magazines and newspapers in both languages to do the same.
• Ask someone to read short passages to you (about 20-40 words). Reproduce these as accurately as you can in the other language, without taking notes.

Downloadable practice materials:

Candidates can download practice materials in their language at any time from below. Click on your language below to download four dialogues in both PDF and MP3 format to practice with. All files will download as a .zip file. These are old CCL tests that are no longer in use.

As a guide, use the practice materials as follows:

1. Prepare by setting up playback and recording devices in a quiet room. You will need a device to play the practice materials on and a recording device to record both the test as well as your responses.

2. Prepare the recording device so that it is ready to record. It would be worthwhile having a test run to ensure that both the playback of the practice materials and your responses are audible.

3. Start the recorder, then start the player with the recorded sample test materials.

• Pause the sample test player after you hear a chime.
• Interpret the segment into the other language.
• Restart the sample test player once you have finished to listen to the next segment.
• Continue the test, pausing the sample test player and interpreting into the alternate language each time you hear another chime.

4. To review your performance, play back your recording and listen to your answers or interpretation. Use the PDF script of the test to follow along. The PDF version of the dialogue provides a translation of the LOTE segments into English to help you check your accuracy.

Free practice tests on the test platform:

When you book your test date, NAATI will include a link to a practice test in your test confirmation email. These practice tests are run on the test platform, so you can get familiar with the system before your test day. You can use this as many times as you like before your test starts.

Paid Assessed Practice tests:

You have the option of paying to take a practice test which will be assessed by NAATI examiners.

The paid assessed practice tests offer candidates the advantage of taking the test in the same conditions as you will experience during your upcoming test, including proctoring and live help and support, and the tests will be marked by NAATI examiners with the same marking rubrics and scores. These practice tests provide a good indication of the complexity and style of NAATI testing, as they use previously used test materials. You will receive feedback from examiners which will help you determine your readiness for the actual test.

The CCL practice test is conducted in the same manner as the regular CCL test. To pass the CCL practice test, you must achieve a score of 63 or more, and at least 29 marks in each dialogue. Practice tests are marked by fewer examiners than actual tests.

The results received are unable to be used to claim points for migration. Passing the practice test does not guarantee a pass in an actual test.

How to apply for a paid assessed practice test

1. Log into your myNAATI account.
2. Select “Submit an Application”  
3. Select “Practice Test”
4. Enter details for your application, there is no checking required by NAATI for these practice tests, so you’ll be made instantly eligible.
5. On your myNAATI homepage select “Manage My Tests”
6. Select a practice test session and make payment.

Practice test candidates will receive test materials that they have not previously seen and the domains that they come from will vary. Where there are no unseen practice materials available candidates will have the option of a full refund or taking a previously seen practice test again.