English Language Visa Requirements

Australian Skilled & Employer-Sponsored Visa English Requirements

To obtain an Australian visa, applicants must demonstrate an adequate level of English language proficiency. The Department of Home Affairs specifies five defined tiers of proficiency: Superior, Proficient, Competent, Vocational, and Functional English.

Points-tested visas such as Subclass 189, Subclass 190, and Subclass 491 award up to 20 immigration points for higher test band scores, while employer-sponsored visas require minimum proficiency as a mandatory threshold.

Approved English Tests & Minimum Band Scores

Compare your test scores across all 5 official testing systems approved by the Department of Home Affairs.

Proficiency Tier IELTS (General/Academic) PTE Academic Cambridge (C1 / C2) TOEFL iBT OET (Medical)
Superior English 20 Points
Highest proficiency level for points-tested skilled migration (Subclasses 189, 190, 491).
 At least 8.0 in each of the 4 test components At least 79 in each of the 4 test components At least 200 in each of the 4 test components L: 28, R: 29, W: 30, S: 26 At least A in each of the 4 test components
Proficient English 10 Points
Intermediate skilled migration benchmark for additional points allocation.
 At least 7.0 in each of the 4 test components At least 65 in each of the 4 test components At least 185 in each of the 4 test components L: 24, R: 24, W: 27, S: 23 At least B in each of the 4 test components
Competent English 0 Points (Threshold Requirement)
Mandatory baseline for General Skilled Migration (GSM), Subclass 186 (ENS), and 482 Core Skills stream.
 At least 6.0 in each of the 4 test components At least 50 in each of the 4 test components At least 169 in each of the 4 test components L: 12, R: 13, W: 21, S: 18 At least B in each of the 4 test components
Vocational English Not eligible for GSM points
Common minimum standard for select trade streams, TSS 482 short-term occupations, and labor agreements.
 At least 5.0 in each of the 4 test components At least 36 in each of the 4 test components At least 154 in each of the 4 test components L: 4, R: 4, W: 14, S: 14 At least B / C depending on occupation
Functional English Secondary Applicant Requirement
Required for adult secondary applicants (dependents 18+) to avoid paying the second visa application charge (VAC2).
 Overall band score of at least 4.5 Overall score of at least 30 Overall score of at least 147 Total score of at least 32 N/A

English Requirements by Visa Subclass

Summary of mandatory baseline requirements and score validity windows across primary Australian visas.

Subclass Visa Stream Minimum Required Level GSM Points Validity
Subclass 189 / 190 / 491 Points-Tested Skilled Migration Competent English 0 (Competent) | 10 (Proficient) | 20 (Superior) 3 Years prior to invitation
Subclass 482 (SID / TSS) Skills in Demand (Core Skills Stream) Competent English (IELTS 6.0 / PTE 50) N/A (Employer Sponsored) 3 Years prior to application
Subclass 186 (ENS) Employer Nomination Scheme (Direct Entry) Competent English N/A (Permanent Residency) 3 Years prior to application
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa Overall IELTS 6.5 (min 5.5 per band) / PTE 57 N/A (Post-study Work) 1 Year prior to application
Subclass 500 Student Visa Overall IELTS 6.0 / PTE 50 (or 5.5 + ELICOS) N/A (Course Enrolment) 2 Years prior to application

Exemptions & Important Validity Rules

Circumstances where passport holders or qualification holders are exempt from sitting English tests.

Eligible Passport Holders (Competent Equivalent)

Citizens and valid passport holders of the following 5 countries are deemed to automatically meet Competent English without needing to sit an examination:

  • United Kingdom (UK)
  • United States of America (USA)
  • Canada
  • New Zealand
  • Republic of Ireland
*Note: To claim 10 or 20 points for Proficient/Superior English, passport holders must still sit an approved test.

Test Score Validity Windows

Ensure your test date satisfies Home Affairs validity regulations at time of invitation/application:

  • Skilled Migration (189, 190, 491, 186, 482): Valid for 3 years from the test date.
  • Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485): Valid for 1 year from test date.
  • Student Visa (Subclass 500): Valid for 2 years from test date.
*Single sitting: Scores must usually be achieved in a single exam sitting across all 4 bands.