By Peter Toms, Principal Lawyer · Updated 12 November 2026
Most Australian visas have an English requirement. The Department groups English ability into levels: Functional, Vocational, Competent, Proficient and Superior. Different visas require different levels, and for points-tested skilled visas, a higher level can also earn extra points.
This guide explains which level applies to which visa, how you can meet it, and the practical traps to avoid.
The short answer: the English level you need depends on the visa. Some passport holders are treated as already meeting certain levels, but extra points for skilled visas always require a test.
Do I need a test?
It depends on your passport and the visa.
If you hold a current passport from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland, you are treated as having Competent English for most skilled visas. You do not need a test just to meet the minimum.
However, if you want extra points for a points-tested visa (subclass 189, 190 or 491), you still need to sit an accepted test. Proficient English earns 10 points, and Superior English earns 20. These points can only come from a test result.
If you hold any other passport, you will usually need a test. For some visas, Functional or Vocational English can be shown through study completed in English instead. A British National (Overseas) passport does not meet the passport option for Competent English.
Which level applies to which visa?
- Superior English: used to claim 20 points for subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas.
- Proficient English: used to claim 10 points for subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas.
- Competent English: the minimum for main applicants for subclass 186, 189, 190, 491 and 494 visas.
- Vocational English: the minimum for main applicants for the 482 Skills in Demand visa. The 482 has its own score settings, and in some cases you can rely on at least five years of full-time study in English.
- Functional English: relevant for some visas, and for adult family members included in some applications. If they do not have Functional English, the second instalment of the visa application charge may be payable instead.
Other visas, including the 485 Temporary Graduate and 500 Student visas, have their own score requirements.
What the levels mean in practice
As a guide, using IELTS scores in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking):
- Competent: at least 6 in each.
- Proficient: at least 7 in each.
- Superior: at least 8 in each.
Other accepted tests have their own equivalent scores, and they are not always intuitive. A score that seems equivalent may not meet the requirement. Check the current score table for your test before you book.
Accepted tests
The Department accepts a set list of English tests, and the required score for each level differs from test to test. The accepted tests and score tables were updated in 2025, so older advice may be out of date. The accepted tests currently include IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced, OET, CELPIP General, LanguageCert Academic and the Michigan English Test.
A few practical points:
- In-centre tests only. At-home or online versions are generally not accepted for visa purposes.
- Validity. Most results must be no more than three years old at the relevant date, which may be the date of invitation or the date you apply, not the date of decision. Functional English results may have a shorter window.
- Each component counts. For most levels, you must meet the score in every component, not just overall.
- Timing. For points-tested visas, you must hold the result at the time of invitation. A better score obtained after the invitation cannot be used to claim more points.
Common mistakes
- Relying on an at-home or online test.
- Using a result that has expired by the relevant date.
- Assuming an overall score is enough when every component must meet the level.
- Assuming a passport exemption also gives you extra points.
- Booking a test without checking the score table for the visa.
Is it worth sitting a test for extra points?
For points-tested visas, often yes. Invitation rounds are competitive, and 10 or 20 extra points can make the difference between being invited and waiting indefinitely. Whether it is worth it depends on your overall points score, your occupation and your plans.
Related guides
- The 482 (Skills in Demand) Visa
- The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 Visa
- The 485 Graduate visa
- Looking for a pathway to permanent residency in Australia?
How we can help
Not sure which level you need, or whether you are exempt? Contact us and we will check the requirement for your visa.
Book a consultation, email us at info@leytonstonelaw.com, or call +61 (02) 8114 4577.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration law and policy change often, and every case depends on its own facts. Please seek advice about your individual circumstances before making any decision.