English Language Requirements for Australian Visas by Visa Subclass
If you are planning to study, work or migrate to Australia, you may need to meet certain English language requirements for your visa application. Depending on the visa subclass you are applying for, you may need to demonstrate different levels of English proficiency, ranging from functional to superior. In the following, we will explain what these levels mean and what evidence you need to provide to the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) when you lodge your visa application.
Functional English
This is the most basic level of English language proficiency. To prove you have functional English, you can either provide evidence of completing all years of primary education and at least three years of secondary education in an English medium institution, or achieve an average score of 4.5 in IELTS or equivalent in another accepted test.
Vocational English
To prove you have vocational English, you need to achieve a minimum score of 5 in each of the four components of IELTS or equivalent in another accepted test.
Competent English
This is the level of English required for a Skilled visa, such as Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190), Skilled Work Regional visa (Subclass 491) or Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (Subclass 494). To prove you have competent English, you need to achieve a minimum score of 6 in each of the four components of IELTS or equivalent in another accepted test.
If 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, you can claim Competent English by providing proof of citizenship. Note that British National (Overseas) passports (BNO) are not acceptable as evidence of competent English.
For Skilled visas including 189, 190 and 491, you do not score any points in the point test system by simply achieving the bare minimum required level of Competent English. To score extra points in the point test, you must achieve either Proficient English or Superior English.
Proficient English
This is the level of English that can give you 10 points towards your English language ability if you are applying for a point-based Skilled visa, such as Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190), or Skilled Work Regional visa (Subclass 491). To prove you have proficient English, you need to achieve a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components of IELTS or equivalent in another accepted test.
Superior English
This is the highest level of English that can give you 20 points towards your English language ability if you are applying for a points-based Skilled visa including the aforementioned 189, 190 and 491 visas. To prove you have superior English, you need to achieve a minimum score of 8 in each of the four components of IELTS or equivalent in another accepted test.
DoHA listed all levels of English requirements and what they mean on their website here.
What English Tests should you take for Australian visa application?
DoHA accepts test reports from one of the following English test providers taken at a designated test centre:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT)
- 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) – test developed for health professionals
Online (‘at-home’) English language tests
Some test providers offer alternative versions of their tests that you can take at home or online, such as TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition, OET@Home, IELTS Indicator, and IELTS Online. It is important to note that the Department of Home Affairs does not accept scores from these tests, or any other ‘at-home’ or ‘online’ tests for Australian migration purposes.
IELTS One Skill Retake
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 TSS, and 485, which need scores from a single attempt.
English Language Requirements by Visa Subclass
Student Visa 500
If you are applying for a Student visa (Subclass 500), you may need to meet the English language requirements set by your education provider in addition to the language requirement for your visa. These may vary depending on the course and institution you choose. You can check with your education provider what level of English they require for enrolment and what tests they accept. Some common tests that are accepted by most education providers are IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge C1 Advanced.
The following table shows the minimum score requirements by test providers for Australian student visas. If you also enrol in a minimum 10 weeks of English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) program, your required minimum English language score may be lowered.
(source here: Federal Register of Legislation)
English test results for the purpose of applying for an Australian student visa are valid for 2 years only from the report date.
Temporary Graduate Visa 485
If you are applying for a Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485), you must achieve a minimum score of 6.5 overall and 5.5 in each of the four test components in IELTS (or equivalent in another accepted test). You must upload a valid test result report at the time of application.
English language requirements for 485 visa applicable to holders of British National (BNO) or Hong Kong passports are different. They must achieve a minimum score of 6 overall and 5 in each of the four test components in IELTS (or equivalent in another accepted test).
In addition to the requirements set by the DoHA, you may need to meet the English language requirements set by your occupation or skills assessment authority if you require a skill assessment for your 485 visa in the Graduate Work stream. These may vary depending on the occupation and authority you choose. You can check with your occupation or skills assessment authority what level of English they require and what tests they accept.
TSS Visa 482
If you are applying for a Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482 TSS), you must demonstrate at least Vocational English.
ENS Visa 186
If you are applying for an Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Subclass 186) in the Direct Entry stream or the Temporary Residence Transition stream, you must demonstrate at least Competent English.
BIIP Visa 188
If you are applying for a Business Innovation and Investment Program visa (Subclass 188), you may need to meet the English language requirements set by your nominating state or territory government agency. These may vary depending on the stream and state or territory you choose. Some nominating state or territory government agencies may set English language requirements over and above those set by DoHA.
For those who cannot demonstrate Functional English, there is an option to pay a second installment of VAC (visa application fee) in lieu of providing your English test result before your visa is granted.
Partner Visa
There is currently no set English language requirement for Partner Visa applicants. The Australian government provides Partner Visa holders free access to English language classes through the Adult Migration English Program (AMEP). Migrants can now access as many hours as they need to reach vocational English.
When you must have taken your test and how long the test result is valid
The following table outlines when you need to provide your English test results and the validity of the test reports.
For Skilled visas, if your English test results have expired when you receive an invitation to apply, your visa application may be refused. If your English result is going to expire in less than 12 months, we advise that you retake an English test soon to keep your English score current in your Express of Interest (EOI) submitted.
We hope this article has helped you understand the different levels of English language requirements for Australian visas. In addition to English language requirements, there are various other eligibility criteria for each visa type including age limit for Skilled visas. Book a consultation with one of our Registered Migration Agents in Brisbane or online at Miet Migration to assess your visa eligibility.
Disclaimer: Any posted material is not intended to be immigration advice and does not purport to represent all requirements for a successful application or applications. No person should act on the basis of the material contained in any post without obtaining advice relevant to their circumstances, and without considering and taking professional advice.
