Functional English

English proficiency

You must show evidence of meeting the functional English requirement unless:

1. You hold a valid passport from one of these countries: the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the Republic of Ireland or New Zealand.
2. You have completed all years of primary education and at least three years of secondary education in an educational institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English. You will need to obtain letter(s) from the educational institution(s) confirming this.
3. You have completed at least five years of secondary education in an institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English. You will need to obtain letter(s) from the educational institution(s) confirming this.
4. You have successfully completed at least one year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study towards a degree, higher degree, diploma, or associate diploma in an institution in Australia and all instructions were in English. You will need to obtain letter(s) from the educational institution(s) confirming this.
5. You have completed a degree, a higher degree, a diploma or a trade certificate that required at least two years of full-time study or training in an institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English.
6. You studied at the below (but did not necessarily complete the below qualification).

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Approved tests

If you do not meet one of these exemptions, you must provide results from an approved test that equal functional 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 tests are no longer being accepted by the Department of Home Affairs from 26 July 2023.

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

Minimum scores

The minimum scores required are as follows:

Test validity

For the functional English requirement, English test results must be under 12 months old.