English language ability

You must demonstrate that you meet, or have made arrangements to meet, the English language threshold at the time you apply.

This means that you must:

• provide evidence that you have undergone an English language test and meet the English language threshold, or
• provide evidence that you have booked to undergo the earliest possible English language test to demonstrate that you meet the English language threshold, or
• hold a valid passport from, and be a citizen of, one of the following countries:
  • United Kingdom (UK)
  • Canada
  • New Zealand
  • United States of America (USA)
  • Republic of Ireland.

In most cases, the English language threshold is at the competent English level and this will give you 15 points.

You also meet the English language threshold and will receive 15 points if you meet one of the following:

• you have vocational English and your nominated occupation is a trade occupation
• you have concessional competent English and you have paid the fee for suitable English language training in the participating State or Territory.
  • You must be either sponsored by an eligible relative who lives in one of the following:
    • New South Wales
    • Victoria
    • South Australia
    • Tasmania
    • the Australian Capital Territory
    • the Northern Territory.
  • or you have received State /Territory nomination from one of the following:
    • New South Wales
    • Tasmania
    • Northern Territory
    • South Australia.

See: English language tuition - details of providers

If you wish to claim 25 points you will need to meet the required English langauge test results for proficient English.

English levels

The following table shows the English language levels and the evidence you will need to provide with your application.

Level of English	Points	Evidence required
Proficient	25 points	You must provide one of the following: IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) Number to show you have a band score of at least seven (7) on each of the four (4) components – speaking, reading, listening and writing or evidence of having achieved a score of `B´ or higher on each of the four (4) components of the OET Test.
Competent	15 points	You must provide one of the following: evidence that you hold an eligible passport IELTS TRF Number to show you have a band score of at least six (6) on each of the four (4) components – speaking, reading, listening and writing.
Concessional Competent	15 points	You must provide all of the following: your IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) Number to show you have an average band score of at least five and a half (5.5) based on all four (4) components evidence that you have enrolled and paid the fee for suitable English language training in the relevant State or Territory where you have received State or Territory nomination or where your sponsor resides. See: English language tuition - details of providers
Vocational	15 points if you have nominated a trade occupation	You must provide one of the following: evidence that you hold an eligible passport your IELTS TRF Number to show you have a band score of at least five (5) on each of the four (4) components.

Note: From 1 January 2010, applicants will not be able to claim Vocational English for GSM visas.

From 1 January 2010, applicants who claim Concessional Competent English must have a score of an average of 6.0 across the four (4) components of an IELTS test. As a part of this increased language requirement, applicants who apply from 1 January 2010 and claim Concessional Competent English will not be required to enrol in an English language course.

Which English language test should I sit?

Generally, you will be required to sit the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test to assess your English language ability. Occupational English Test (OET) results may also be provided as evidence of your English language ability.

What is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)?

The IELTS is a test designed to assess an applicant's English language ability. It has an academic test and a general training test – you need only take the general training test unless otherwise advised by your skills assessing authority.

IELTS examinations are available worldwide and further information is available on their website.
See: International English Language Testing System

Your test results must be from a test you sat no more than two (2) years before the day of making your application.

However, if you are using an IELTS test to show a secondary applicant’s level of English as ‘functional’, they must have sat the test no more than 12 months before you made your application.
See: English language requirements for secondary applicants

Note: You will not be required to sit the IELTS test to demonstrate that you meet the English language threshold if you hold a valid passport from and are a citizen of one of the following countries:

• United Kingdom (UK)
• Canada
• New Zealand
• United States of America (USA)
• Republic of Ireland.

Skills assessments and English

A higher level of English is required for certain occupations where it forms part of the skills assessment. You can find out if your occupation requires a higher level of English by contacting the assessing authority for your nominated occupation. Contact details for assessing bodies are available at the end of the Skilled Occupation List.
See:
Form 1121i Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and Employer Nomination Scheme Occupation List (ENSOL) (129KB PDF file)
Australian Skills Recognition Information

 

Before lodging an application, please read all related eligibility requirements.
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