ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR WORK VISA
FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH
| RESULT | IELTS | OET | TOEFL | PTA | CAE | EXEMPTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH | An average band score of at least 4.5 for each of the 4 test components | NA | A total band score of at least 32 based on the 4 test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening | An overall band score of at least 30 for each of the 4 test components | An overall band score of at least 147 for each of the four test components | See below* |
VOCATIONAL ENGLISH
| RESULT | IELTS | OET | TOEFL | PTA | CAE | EXEMPTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VOCATIONAL ENGLISH | At least 5 for each of the 4 test components | At least B for each of the 4 test components | At least 4 for listening, 4 for reading, 14 for writing and 14 for speaking | At least 36 for each of the 4 test components | At least 154 in each of the 4 test components | you are a citizen of and hold a valid passport from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland |
English language tests and exemptions from testing for applicants:
If you are a citizen of and hold a valid passport from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland
COMPETENT ENGLISH
| RESULT | IELTS | OET | TOEFL | PTA | CAE | EXEMPTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMPETENT ENGLISH | At least 6 for each of the 4 components | At least B for each of the 4 components | At least 50 for each of the 4 components | At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking | At least 169 in each of the 4 components | you are a citizen of and hold a valid passport from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland |
Competent English – When you must have taken your test and how long the test result is valid
| Subclass | Applicant | Validity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) | Main/primary | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application | |
| Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187) – Direct Entry pathway | Main/primary | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application | |
| Business Innovation and Investment (provisional) subclass 188) (Entrepreneur stream) | Main/primary | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation | |
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189)(Points tested stream) | Main/primary | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation | |
| Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) | Main/primary | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation | |
| Skilled Regional (provisional) (subclass 489)(first provisional stream) | Main/primary | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
PROFICIENT ENGLISH
| RESULT | IELTS | OET | TOEFL | PTA | CAE | EXEMPTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PROFICIENT ENGLISH | At least 7 for each of the 4 components | At least B for each of the 4 components | At least 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking | At least 65 for each of the 4 test components | At least 185 in each of the 4 test components | NA |
English language tests and exemptions from testing for applicants:
- holding valid passports for certain countries
who have completed 5 years full time study at secondary education or higher education level where the instruction conducted in English
nominated by an SBS sponsor in relation to an occupation that will be performed at a diplomatic or consular mission of another country or Office od Authorities of Taiwan located in Australia
nominated in an occupation that requires occupational licensing, registration or membership to perform the occupation and was required to demonstrate proficiency in English
employed by a company operating an established business overseas and nominated by an SBS sponsor of that company or an associated entity of that company and who is paid at least $96,400 pa
The applicants must have achieved the test results required in the approved test on the test day in a single attempt at the test - The test must not be more than 3 years old on the day on which the applicant provided the evidence of the test
To evidence Proficient English following exemptions are allowed:
NA
SUPERIOR ENGLISH
| RESULT | IELTS | OET | TOEFL | PTA | CAE | EXEMPTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUPERIOR ENGLISH | At least 8 for each of the 4 components | At least A for each of the 4 components | At least 28 for listening, 29 for reading, 30 for writing and 26 for speaking | At least 79 for each of the 4 test components | At least 200 in each of the 4 test components | NA |
English language tests and exemptions from testing for applicants:
- holding valid passports for certain countries
who have completed 5 years full time study at secondary education or higher education level where the instruction conducted in English
nominated by an SBS sponsor in relation to an occupation that will be performed at a diplomatic or consular mission of another country or Office od Authorities of Taiwan located in Australia
nominated in an occupation that requires occupational licensing, registration or membership to perform the occupation and was required to demonstrate proficiency in English
employed by a company operating an established business overseas and nominated by an SBS sponsor of that company or an associated entity of that company and who is paid at least $96,400 pa
The applicants must have achieved the test results required in the approved test on the test day in a single attempt at the test - The test must not be more than 3 years old on the day on which the applicant provided the evidence of the test
To evidence Superior English following exemptions are allowed:
NA