English Language Requirements
English language visa requirements
- You are a citizen of and holder of a valid passport issued by Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or the United States of America. 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 2 years of full-time study or training and all instructions were in English.
- You completed education at the institutions for the study times set out at Table 1.
- You achieved one of the test scores in Table 2 or Table 3 in the 12 months before your visa application.
| Educational institutions | Study time |
|---|---|
| A primary school and secondary school, in or outside Australia, where all instruction was in English | All years of primary and at least 3 years of secondary education |
| A secondary school, in or outside Australia, where all instruction was in English | At least 5 years of secondary education |
An institution in Australia, where all instruction was in English, towards one of the following awards:
|
|
| Test | Scores |
|---|---|
| Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General) | An overall band score of at least 5 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) The department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. | An average band score of at least 4.5 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS General Training) The department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. | An average band score of at least 4.5 |
| Michigan English Test (MET) The department accepts MET test results that include Single Section Retake (SSR) for eligible visas. | An overall band score of at least 38 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) This test is developed for health professionals. The OET scoring format was previously alphabetical and changed to numerical on 7 August 2025. OET does not currently provide overall test results on test score reports. However, you can get your overall OET score results by contacting OET. | An overall band score of at least 1020 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic) | An overall band score of at least 38 |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) PTE Academic has the same name as the previous version of the test that was accepted before 7 August 2025. However, the test and scores are different. | An overall band score of at least 24 |
| Test of English as a Foreign Langugage internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT test was not approved for Australian visa purposes. | A total score of at least 26 |
| Test | Scores |
|---|---|
| Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced) Previously known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) From 12 February 2024 to 6 August 2025, the department will only accept results from the Cambridge C1 Advanced paper-based test. The department will still accept tests taken before 12 February 2024 and within specified validity periods, for C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests. | A total band score of at least 147 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training) From 14 December 2022, the department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. | An average band score of at least 4.5 |
| Pearsson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) PTE Academic has the same name as the test available from 7 August 2025, however, the test and scores are different. | A total band score of at least 30 |
| Test of English as a Foreign Langugage internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT test was not approved for Australian visa purposes. | A total band score of at least 32 |
To prove you have vocational English, show 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.
- You achieved one of the test scores in Table 1 or Table 2 in the 3 years before your visa application, depending on the visa subclass.
| Test | Scores |
|---|---|
| Canadian English Langugage Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General) | In each of the 4 test components, at least
|
| International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS Academic) The department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS General Training) The department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
Michigan English Test (MET) The department accepts MET test results that include Single Section Retake (SSR) for eligible visas. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
Occupational English Test (OET) OET does not currently provide overall test results on test score reports. However, you can get your overall OET score results by contacting OET. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUGECERT Academic) | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) PTE Academic has the same name as the previous version of the test that was accepted before 7 August 2025. However, the test and scores are different. | In each of the test components, at least:
|
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT test was not approved for Australian visa purposes. | In each of the 4 test compnents, at least:
|
| Test | Scores |
|---|---|
Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced) From 12 February 2024 to 6 August 2025, the department will only accept results from the Cambridge C1 Advanced paper-based test. The department will still accept tests taken before 12 February 2024 and within specified validity periods, for C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training) From 14 December 2022, the department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
Occupational English Test (OET) This test is developed for health professionals. The OET scoring format was previously alphabetical and changed to numerical on 7 August 2025. OET does not currently provide overall test results on test score reports. However, you can get your overall OET score results by contacting OET. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) PTE Academic has the same name as the test available from 7 August 2025, however, the test and scores are different. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT test was not approved for Australian visa purposes. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
*You can use a test taken on or before 6 August 2025 as evidence of English proficiency for visa purposes until 6 August 2028, inclusive. This will depend on the visa.
To prove you have competent English, show 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 achieved one of the test scores in Table 1 or Table 2, in the 3 years before your visa application, depending on the visa subclass.
| Test | Scores |
|---|---|
| Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced) | In each of the 4 test components, at least
|
| Canadian English Langugage Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General) | In each of the 4 test components, at least
|
| International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS Academic) The department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS General Training) The department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
Michigan English Test (MET) The department accepts MET test results that include Single Section Retake (SSR) for eligible visas. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
Occupational English Test (OET) OET does not currently provide overall test results on test score reports. However, you can get your overall OET score results by contacting OET. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUGECERT Academic) | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) PTE Academic has the same name as the previous version of the test that was accepted before 7 August 2025. However, the test and scores are different. | In each of the test components, at least:
|
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT test was not approved for Australian visa purposes. | In each of the 4 test compnents, at least:
|
| Test | Scores |
|---|---|
Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced) From 12 February 2024 to 6 August 2025, the department will only accept results from the Cambridge C1 Advanced paper-based test. The department will still accept tests taken before 12 February 2024 and within specified validity periods, for C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training) From 14 December 2022, the department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
Occupational English Test (OET) This test is developed for health professionals. The OET scoring format was previously alphabetical and changed to numerical on 7 August 2025. OET does not currently provide overall test results on test score reports. However, you can get your overall OET score results by contacting OET. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) PTE Academic has the same name as the test available from 7 August 2025, however, the test and scores are different. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT test was not approved for Australian visa purposes. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
*You can use a test taken on or before 6 August 2025 as evidence of English proficiency for visa purposes until 6 August 2028, inclusive. This will depend on the visa.
To prove you have proficient English, show evidence that you have achieved one of the test scores listed in Table 1 or Table 2. You must have taken the test in the 3 years before your visa application, depending on the visa subclass.
| Test | Scores |
|---|---|
| Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced) | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Canadian English Langugage Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General) | In each of the 4 test components, at least
|
| International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS Academic) The department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS Academic) The department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
Michigan English Test (MET) The department accepts MET test results that include Single Section Retake (SSR) for eligible visas. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
Occupational English Test (OET) OET does not currently provide overall test results on test score reports. However, you can get your overall OET score results by contacting OET. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUGECERT Academic) | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) PTE Academic has the same name as the previous version of the test that was accepted before 7 August 2025. However, the test and scores are different. | In each of the test components, at least:
|
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT test was not approved for Australian visa purposes. | In each of the 4 test compnents, at least:
|
| Test | Scores |
|---|---|
Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced) From 12 February 2024 to 6 August 2025, the department will only accept results from the Cambridge C1 Advanced paper-based test. The department will still accept tests taken before 12 February 2024 and within specified validity periods, for C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training) From 14 December 2022, the department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
Occupational English Test (OET) This test is developed for health professionals. The OET scoring format was previously alphabetical and changed to numerical on 7 August 2025. OET does not currently provide overall test results on test score reports. However, you can get your overall OET score results by contacting OET. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) PTE Academic has the same name as the test available from 7 August 2025, however, the test and scores are different. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT test was not approved for Australian visa purposes. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
*You can use a test taken on or before 6 August 2025 as evidence of English proficiency for visa purposes until 6 August 2028, inclusive. This will depend on the visa.
To prove you have superior English, show us evidence that you have achieved one of the test scores listed in Table 1 or Table 2. You must have taken the test in the 3 years before your visa application, depending on the visa subclass.
| Test | Scores |
|---|---|
| Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced) | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Canadian English Langugage Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General) | In each of the 4 test components, at least
|
| International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS Academic) The department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS General Training) The department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Occupational English Test (OET) This test is developed for health professionals. The OET scoring format was previously alphabetical and changed to numerical on 7 August 2025. OET does not currently provide overall test results on test score reports. However, you can get your overall OET score results by contacting OET. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUGECERT Academic) | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) PTE Academic has the same name as the previous version of the test that was accepted before 7 August 2025. However, the test and scores are different. | In each of the test components, at least:
|
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT test was not approved for Australian visa purposes. | In each of the 4 test compnents, at least:
|
| Test | Scores |
|---|---|
Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced) From 12 February 2024 to 6 August 2025, the department will only accept results from the Cambridge C1 Advanced paper-based test. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training) From 14 December 2022, the department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
Occupational English Test (OET) This test is developed for health professionals. The OET scoring format was previously alphabetical and changed to numerical on 7 August 2025. OET does not currently provide overall test results on test score reports. However, you can get your overall OET score results by contacting OET. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) PTE Academic has the same name as the test available from 7 August 2025, however, the test and scores are different. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT test was not approved for Australian visa purposes. | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
*You can use a test taken on or before 6 August 2025 as evidence of English proficiency for visa purposes, until 6 August 2028, inclusive. This will depend on the visa.
Ready for Australia? Book a consultation to start your migration journey!
- Done-for-you, stress-free visa application process
- Personalised visa strategies with a 99.9% success rate
- 100% money-back guarantee. No visa, no fee. No questions asked.