Most Australian visas have an English requirement. The Department groups your English level into tiers — Functional, Vocational, Competent, Proficient and Superior — and different visas ask for different levels. For the skilled points-tested program (GSM), higher bands can also lift your points if you sit a test.
This guide lays out which visas ask for which level, the accepted scores, and a few practical notes so you’re not guessing.
But I am from [country] – Do I need an English test?
In short, it depends on what passport you hold and the visa you’re applying for.
If your passport is from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland, you don’t need an English test just to meet the minimum setting for most skilled visas. This is because these passports are taken as proof that you have Competent English.
However, if you want extra points for a GSM visa (189/190/491) – which is recommended – you will still need to sit an accepted in-centre test. These extra points can only come from test results as ‘proficient English’ gives you 10 extra points; ‘Superior English’ gives you 20.
If your passport is from any other country, you will usually need to undertake an English test to prove your level of English. However, in some cases Functional or Vocational English can be shown through study in English instead of a test, but that depends on the visa settings.
Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passports also have reduced English settings in some situations, but you still need to check what applies to your subclass.
Which level applies to which visa?
| Level | Visas this applies to |
|---|---|
| Superior English | GSM (189 / 190 / 491) — used to claim 20 points |
| Proficient English | GSM (189 / 190 / 491) — used to claim 10 points |
| Competent English | Minimum for 186 / 187 / 189 / 190 / 491 primary applicants |
| Vocational English | Minimum for 482 primary applicants |
| Functional English | 407 primary applicants; 186 dependants aged 18+ (unless second instalment is paid) |
Other visas – such as 485 Graduate and 500 Student visas – use their own score tables.
You can find more information about your specific visa on the Department’s website.
English Language Tiers for Australian visas
Unless noted otherwise, you must hit the score in each component (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking), and the result usually needs to be within 36 months of application/invitation.
Superior English
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic/General) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| PTE Academic | 69 | 70 | 85 | 88 |
| TOEFL iBT | 26 | 27 | 30 | 28 |
| OET | 390 | 400 | 420 | 400 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 186 | 190 | 210 | 208 |
| CELPIP General | 10 | 10 | 12 | 10 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 80 | 83 | 89 | 89 |
Proficient English
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic/General) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| PTE Academic | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 |
| TOEFL iBT | 22 | 22 | 26 | 24 |
| OET | 350 | 360 | 380 | 360 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 175 | 179 | 193 | 194 |
| CELPIP General | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 67 | 71 | 78 | 82 |
Competent English
Passport option: a valid passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland meets Competent English.
Note: British National (Overseas) passports do not meet this option.
If using a test:
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic/General) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| PTE Academic | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 |
| TOEFL iBT | 16 | 16 | 19 | 19 |
| OET | 290 | 310 | 290 | 330 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 163 | 163 | 170 | 179 |
| CELPIP General | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 57 | 60 | 64 | 70 |
| MET | 56 | 55 | 57 | 48 |
Vocational English
Passport (482 visa): a valid passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland satisfies Vocational English for the 482.
Study (482 visa): you can also show that you’ve completed at least 5 years of full-time study at secondary level or higher where most classes were in English.
If using a test:
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic/General) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| PTE Academic | 33 | 36 | 29 | 24 |
| TOEFL iBT | 8 | 8 | 9 | 14 |
| OET | 220 | 240 | 200 | 270 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 154 | 154 | 154 | 154 |
| CELPIP General | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 41 | 44 | 45 | 54 |
| MET | 49 | 47 | 45 | 38 |
Functional English
If using a test (overall scores):
| Test | Overall score |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic/General) | 4.5 |
| PTE Academic | 24 |
| TOEFL iBT | 26 (total) |
| OET | 1020 (overall) |
| CELPIP General | 5 (overall) |
| LanguageCert Academic | 38 (overall) |
| MET | 38 (overall) |
In some cases — particularly for Functional English, and for Vocational English on the 482 — you can rely on evidence of specified English-medium study instead of a test; please check the Department of Home Affairs website for the requirements that apply to your visa, and always confirm the page is current.
A note on tests and formats
Only in-centre tests are accepted for visa purposes. At-home/online versions (for example, IELTS Online, PTE Online, TOEFL Home Edition, OET@Home) are not accepted.
TOEFL iBT: tests taken 26 July 2023 – 4 May 2024 are not accepted.
Cambridge C1 Advanced: from 12 February 2024, only paper-based results are accepted.
Score validity is usually 36 months (Functional can be shorter); always check.
To wrap up
Proving your level of English isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you need a test — and whether it’s worth chasing extra GSM points — depends on your passport, the subclass you’re applying for, and what you’re trying to achieve.
If you’d like a sanity check before you book anything, you can talk it through with us at Leyton Stone Law.
Disclaimer:
The information in this article is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration matters can be complex — you should seek advice from a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer about your individual circumstances before making any decision.
If you would like tailored advice, Leyton Stone Law can assess your eligibility, advise on strategy, and manage your application through to lodgement.
We recommend speaking with a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer, such as those at Leyton Stone Law, to confirm your English options and plan next steps.