Approved English Language Tests for Skilled Migration
Several English language tests are accepted by the Department of Home Affairs for General Skilled Migration Program (GSM).
If you wish to apply for a GSM visa such as subclass 189 , subclass 190 or subclass 489, you should provide evidence to claim the points associated with the level of your English language proficiency.
In general, Australia’s Migration legislation sets the following levels of English proficiency:
- Functional English
- Vocational English
- Competent English
- Proficient English
- Superior English
If you are a native English language speaker and you are a holder of passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland, you can only claim points for competent English, and claiming points for proficient or superior English language ability requires you to take an approved English test.
Approved English Language Tests
The Department of Home Affairs accepts the following English language tests for General Skilled Migration Program;
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)
- Occupational English Test (OET)
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
- Cambridge C1 Advanced test
Comparison Table and Test Score Equivalency for All Acceptable English Language Test
The following table shows the required score that an applicant can claim for different English language tests.
Bear in mind that the main applicant has to achieve a minimum competency level in English to meet the basic eligibility for any GSM visa.
| Test score Equivalencies for all English Language Tests | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proficiency Level | Test Component | IELTS | TOEFL IBT | PTE Academic | Cambridge C1 Advanced |
OET |
| Functional | Average/total/overall band score | 4.5 | 32 | 30 | 147 | n/a |
| Vocational | Listening | 5 | 4 | 36 | 154 | B |
| Reading | 5 | 4 | 36 | 154 | B | |
| Writing | 5 | 14 | 36 | 154 | B | |
| Speaking | 5 | 14 | 36 | 154 | B | |
| Competent | Listening | 6.0 | 12 | 50 | 169 | B |
| Reading | 6.0 | 13 | 50 | 169 | B | |
| Writing | 6.0 | 21 | 50 | 169 | B | |
| Speaking | 6.0 | 18 | 50 | 169 | B | |
| Proficient | Listening | 7.0 | 24 | 65 | 185 | B |
| Reading | 7.0 | 24 | 65 | 185 | B | |
| Writing | 7.0 | 27 | 65 | 185 | B | |
| Speaking | 7.0 | 23 | 65 | 185 | B | |
| Superior | Listening | 8.0 | 28 | 79 | 200 | A |
| Reading | 8.0 | 29 | 79 | 200 | A | |
| Writing | 8.0 | 30 | 79 | 200 | A | |
| Speaking | 8.0 | 26 | 79 | 200 | A | |
The Format and The Fee of the Approved English Proficiency Tests
1) International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
The IELTS is an approved English language test for skill migration program and the test has two modules:
- the Academic Module
- the General Training Module
Candidates sitting the IELTS test for GSM visa purposes need to sit only the General Training Module, however, the results of an Academic IELTS test will also be accepted by the Department of Home Affairs.
The IELTS test is a single test with four separate components including listening, speaking, writing and reading.
Visa Applicants must attain the required score for each of the four components tested in one examination.
IELTS Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation to apply for a skilled migration visa.
The fee to sit the IELTS test is A $340
2) Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)
The Department of Home Affairs recognises TOEFL iBT for skilled migration purposes.
The TOEFL iBT - Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test - measures an applicant's ability to combine listening, reading, speaking and writing skills in English to undertake academic tasks and is administered via the internet.
As with IELTS, TOEFL iBT is an integrated skills test and applicants must provide evidence that the scores for each test component (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) were achieved in one examination.
TOEFL iBT Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation to apply for a skilled migration visa.
The fee to sit the TOEFL iBT test is A$300
3) Occupational English Test (OET)
OET test result is accepted by the Department of Home Affairs to determine the proficiency level of the English language ability of the visa applicant.
Some Australian skills assessing authorities such as the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia require visa applicants to sit an OET test to demonstrate their English proficiency before the authority will issue a skills assessment.
The OET is an appropriate test for health professionals and applicants must achieve the required score for each of the four components of the OET.
Unlike IELTS, visa applicants may provide OET results achieved in more than one test.
OET cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation to apply for a skilled migration visa.
The fee to sit the OET test is A $587
4) Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
PTE Academic - the Pearson Test of English Academic - is a computer-based test that assesses a candidate’s English skills in listening, reading, speaking and writing.
PTE Academic was first approved to support Australian visa applications in 2014 and the Department of Home Affairs has renewed its endorsement of the Pearson Test of English Academic in supporting the Australian visa programme.
As with IELTS, PTE Academic is an integrated skills test and applicants must provide evidence that the scores for each test component (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) were achieved in one examination.
PTE Academic Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation to apply for a skilled migration visa.
The fee to sit the PTE Academic test is A $340
5) Cambridge C1 Advanced test
The Cambridge C1 Advanced Test, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) can be taken on paper or computer.
As with IELTS, the Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test is an integrated skills test and visa applicants must provide evidence that the scores for each test component (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) were achieved in one examination.
Cambridge C1 Advanced Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation to apply for a skilled migration visa.
The fee to sit the Cambridge C1 Advanced test is A $350
Are you Eligible to Live and Work in Australia ?
If you wish to check your eligibility to migrate permanently to Australia , please fill out the below assessment form. The assessment is free. After submitting the form, a registered migration consultant will look into the information and advise you of the outcome of the assessment via your email address.
