Posted on May 25 2024

Australia immigration English language requirements

By
Anshul Singhal
, Editor

Updated May 25 2024

Australia immigration English language requirements

Immigrants who want to migrate to Australia either permanently or for a short period need English language proficiency. The English language is generally a criterion for applicants wishing to study or work in Australia.

To prove language proficiency, an individual must satisfy the Australian Department and choose a visa according to their needs. For most work and PR visas, an individual needs to have one score out of all the exams.

Australian government accepts specific English language tests under secured centers such as:

IELTS- International English Language Testing System, including One Skill Retake (OSR)
PTE- Pearson Test of English
CAE Cambridge English (also known as C1 Advanced)
OET- Occupational English Test, health professionals

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Levels of Language Proficiency required for Australian Visa

There are five primary levels of English Language requirements:

Functional Level
Vocational Level
Competent Level
Proficient Level
Superior Level

Functional Level of the English Language

The table below demonstrates the minimum score an individual should have to prove individual language proficiency:

Test	Acceptable scores
IELTS (International English Language Testing System). IELTS Academic or General Training	At least 4.5 on each four of the test parts
TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test)	A total score of 32 based on every part test; writing, reading, speaking, and listening.
PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)	A total score of 30 based on the four parts of the test.
CAE (Cambridge English: Advanced)	A total score of at least 147 based on four test parts.

Vocational Level of English

For the vocational level of English, an individual needs to prove that they have completed any one of the tests with minimum score:

Test	Acceptable score
IELTS (International English Language Testing System). IELTS Academic or General Training	5 points at least for the four test parts.
	Listening: 4 points
	Reading: 4 points
	Writing: 14 points Speaking: 14 points
TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test)	Writing: 14 points Speaking: 14 points

PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)	36 points at least for each test part
CAE (Cambridge English: Advanced)	154 points for each test part

Competent Level of the English Language

For the competent level of English Language, an individual needs to score the:

Test	Acceptable Score
IELTS (International English Language Testing System). IELTS Academic or General Training	6 points at least for each test part
TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test)	Listening: 12 points
	Reading: 13 points

	Writing: 21 points

	Speaking: 18 points
PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)	50 points at least for each test part
CAE (Cambridge English: Advanced)	B at least for each test part
OET (Occupational English Test)	169 points at least for each test part

Proficient Level of English Language

To prove individual English language proficiency, an individual must score the following:

Test	Acceptable score
IELTS (International English Language Testing System). IELTS Academic or General Training	7 points at least for each test part
TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test)	Listening: 24 points
	Reading: 24 points

	Writing: 27 points

	Speaking: 23 points
PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)	65 points at least for each test part
CAE (Cambridge English: Advanced)	B for each test part
OET (Occupational English Test)	185 points for at least each test part

Superior Level of the English Language

An individual must score a minimum score to prove their superiority in English Language:

Test	Acceptable score
IELTS (International English Language Testing System). IELTS Academic or General Training	8 points for at least each part of the test
TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test)	Listening: 28 points
	Reading: 29 points

	Writing: 30 points

	Speaking: 26 points
PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)	79 points at least for each part of the test
CAE (Cambridge English: Advanced)	A for each test part
OET (Occupational English Test)	200 points for at least each test part

An individual can opt for different level of English depending on the type of visa that they opt for. Most work visas require a functional level of English, but an individual may need a competent level of English for some exceptional work visas. For permanent visas, an individual needs to prove their functional English level.

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