Competent English

English proficiency

You must show evidence of meeting the competent English requirement unless you hold a valid passport from one of these countries:

1. the United Kingdom;
2. the United States;
3. Canada;
4. the Republic of Ireland;
5. New Zealand.

There are no other exemptions available. Please note that you must provide evidence that you meet the competent English requirement at the time the application is lodged.

Approved tests

If you are not exempt, you must provide results from an approved test that equal competent English language ability.  The following tests are acceptable:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – the General test is sufficient;
• Occupational English Test (OET);
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE);
• Cambridge English: Advanced test (CAE).
• TOEFL iBT

Results from TOEFL iBT tests completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 will not be accepted.

Tests completed before July 26th, 2023 and after 5 May 2024 remain valid for two years and can be used.

NOTE: Some test providers offer alternative versions of their tests that you can take at home or online, such as TOEFL at home, OET@Home and IELTS Indicator. The Department of Home Affairs does not accept any ’at-home’ or ‘online’ test for Australian migration purposes.

From 12 February 2024, only results from the paper-based Cambridge C1 Advanced test (previously known as Cambridge English: Advanced CAE) will be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. Test scores for both C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests, taken before 12 February 2024, are still accepted.

Minimum scores

The minimum scores required are as follows:

Test validity

For the purposes of a visa application, English test results are valid for 3 years.