Australian visa English requirements
Approved English Language Tests for Skilled Migration
A practical guide to the English proficiency levels and approved test scores used for Australian skilled migration and related visa requirements.
How to use this guide
Different visas require different English levels. For points-tested skilled migration, Competent English is normally the minimum threshold, while Proficient and Superior English may provide additional points. Functional English is mainly relevant to adult secondary applicants and may affect whether a second visa application charge is payable.
Always check the requirements of the particular visa subclass and the validity period applying to your test result.
Adult secondary applicants
Functional English
Functional English does not provide skilled-migration points. It is commonly relevant to family members aged 18 or over. Depending on the visa subclass, an adult family member who does not have Functional English may be required to pay a second visa application charge before visa grant.
Functional English may also be demonstrated through a qualifying passport or specified English-medium education. The table below covers approved test results taken on or after 7 August 2025.
| Approved English test | Minimum result |
|---|---|
| CELPIP General | Overall score of at least 5 |
| IELTS Academic | Average band score of at least 4.5 |
| IELTS General Training | Average band score of at least 4.5 |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | Overall score of at least 38 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | Overall score of at least 1020 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Overall score of at least 38 |
| PTE Academic | Overall score of at least 24 |
| TOEFL iBT | Total score of at least 26 |
English proficiency level
Vocational English
Each minimum component score must be achieved. Vocational English may be relevant to particular visa subclasses but does not itself provide points in the General Skilled Migration points test.
| Approved English test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CELPIP General | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| IELTS Academic | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| IELTS General Training | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | 49 | 47 | 45 | 38 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | 220 | 240 | 200 | 270 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 41 | 44 | 45 | 54 |
| PTE Academic | 33 | 36 | 29 | 24 |
| TOEFL iBT | 8 | 8 | 9 | 14 |
English proficiency level
Competent English
Competent English is generally the minimum English level for points-tested skilled migration. A qualifying passport may also establish Competent English for relevant visas.
| Approved English test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 163 | 163 | 170 | 179 |
| CELPIP General | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| IELTS Academic | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| IELTS General Training | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | 56 | 55 | 57 | 48 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | 290 | 310 | 290 | 330 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 57 | 60 | 64 | 70 |
| PTE Academic | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 |
| TOEFL iBT | 16 | 16 | 19 | 19 |
English proficiency level
Proficient English
A points-tested skilled migration applicant who meets Proficient English may claim 10 points, subject to the requirements applying at invitation and visa application.
| Approved English test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 175 | 179 | 193 | 194 |
| CELPIP General | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
| IELTS Academic | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| IELTS General Training | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | 61 | 63 | 74 | 59 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | 350 | 360 | 380 | 360 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 67 | 71 | 78 | 82 |
| PTE Academic | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 |
| TOEFL iBT | 22 | 22 | 26 | 24 |
English proficiency level
Superior English
A points-tested skilled migration applicant who meets Superior English may claim 20 points, subject to the requirements applying at invitation and visa application.
| Approved English test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 186 | 190 | 210 | 208 |
| CELPIP General | 10 | 10 | 12 | 10 |
| IELTS Academic | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| IELTS General Training | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | 390 | 400 | 420 | 400 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 80 | 83 | 89 | 89 |
| PTE Academic | 69 | 70 | 85 | 88 |
| TOEFL iBT | 26 | 27 | 30 | 28 |
Tests taken on or before 6 August 2025
Older approved tests used a different score framework. Results from tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 may remain usable until 6 August 2028 for some visa purposes, but the applicable validity period depends on the visa subclass and English level. Check the relevant Home Affairs visa page before relying on an older result.
Secure test-centre requirement
The Department of Home Affairs requires approved tests to be taken at a secure test centre. Completely online, remote-proctored or at-home versions are not accepted for Australian visa purposes. Examples include CELPIP Online, IELTS Online, LANGUAGECERT Academic Online, MET Digital taken at home, OET@Home and TOEFL iBT Home Edition.
Important test-specific points
- For TOEFL iBT, select Taking TOEFL for Australia when registering.
- IELTS One Skill Retake may be accepted for eligible visas.
- MET Single Section Retake may be accepted for eligible visas.
- OET is designed for health professionals and now uses numerical scores for tests taken from 7 August 2025.
- PTE Academic kept the same test name, but its test and score framework changed from 7 August 2025.
Official government information
Visa requirements and accepted evidence can change. Confirm the current requirements with the Australian Department of Home Affairs before lodging an application.
