English Language Requirement for General Skilled Migration

If you are applying for General Skilled Migration, you will need to prove your English language ability. The required level of English depends on the visa subclass you are applying for and there are 4 different levels of English which may be relevant:
  • Superior English
  • Proficient English
  • Competent English
  • Functional English

Timing of English

English language ability is a time of application requirement for General Skilled visas. This means that you would need to provide evidence of English testing at the time of application. As it can take some time to obtain a booking for a test and to receive the results, you may wish to plan to take the English test well ahead of time.

Tests conducted up to 2 years prior to lodgement of a skilled visa application will be accepted by DIAC.

Acceptable English Tests

The IELTS test is the most common way of evidencing English language ability. Either the Academic or General Training versions of the test are acceptable to the Department of Immigration, but some skills assessing authorities require applicants to sit the Academic version. You will need to obtain a minimum score in each band of the IELTS (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking) in a single sitting.

The Occupational English Test (OET) is also accepted as evidence of proficient and superior levels of English. The OET is only appropriate for medical and allied health professionals.

It is likely that other tests will be added to the list of acceptable tests in the future.

Competent English

For most skilled visas, you will need to show at least Competent English to meet the threshold criteria.

You can establish a competent level of English by:

  • Obtaining a score of at least 6 out of 9 for all four components of the IELTS test; or
  • Holding a passport from one of the following 5 countries:
    1. Canada
    2. New Zealand
    3. United Kingdom
    4. United States
    5. Ireland

Competent English gives you 0 points in the Skilled Migration Points Test, but is an essential requirement to be able to lodge a skilled visa.

Proficient English

You can show you have proficient English ability by scoring at least 7 out of 9 on all four components of the IELTS test.

It is also possible to show proficient English by obtaining a B pass in all 4 components of the Occupational English Test.

If you demonstrate proficient English, this will give you 10 points for English language ability.

Even native English speakers must undertake English language testing to obtain points for proficient English or higher.

Superior English

You can show you have superior English by scoring at least 8 out of 9 on all four components of the IELTS test or an A pass in all 4 components of the Occupational English Test.

If you demonstrate proficient English, this will give the maximum of 20 points for English language ability.

Functional English

You can show you have functional English ability by providing evidence of the following:

  1. Scoring at least 4.5 averaged over the four components of the IELTS test.
  2. Holding a degree, diploma or trade qualification from an academic institution as a result of at least 2 years full time study where all instruction has been conducted in English
  3. Working in an English speaking country for 2 years or more

If your spouse has less than functional English, then you would need to pay the "English Education Charge" to cover English language tuition in applying for general skilled migration.

Applying for migration to Australia can be complex, so we recommend that you contact us to check your likely eligibility for immigration to Australia before you proceed with an application.

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