Employer Sponsored

I need to prove I have Functional English. How can I do this?

Secondary applicants over the age of 18 who are included in Skilled and Talent visas or permanent and provisional Employer Sponsored visas (and primary applicants for Training visas) must be able to demonstrate they have at least Functional English language skills as part of the application process.

There are a number of options available to meet this requirement, as follows:

Passport holder

You are a citizen of and hold a valid passport issued by:

• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• Canada
• New Zealand
• Republic of Ireland

Study inside / outside Australia

You undertook your education where all instruction was delivered in English with:

• All years of study in Primary education and at least 3 years of Secondary education in or outside Australia; or
• 5 years of study at Secondary education level in or outside Australia; or
• At least 1 year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent) towards a degree, higher degree, diploma or associate diploma at an institution in Australia.

English Test

Within 12 months of applying for the visa, applicant achieved the following scores:

• IELTS – Average band score of at least 4.5
• TOEFL iBT – Total band score of at least 26
• PTE Academic – Overall band score of at least 24
• CELPIP General – Overall band score of at least 5
• LANGUAGECERT Academic – Overall band score of at least 38
• MET – Overall band score of at least 38
• OET – Overall band score of at least 1020

Note that formal tests taken more than 12 months prior to lodgement of the application will not be accepted as evidence of functional English, even if the scores are higher than the minimums.

I sat an English test before 7 August 2025 and met the old score requirements. Can I still use these results?

No. You can no longer use tests undertaken before 7 August 2025 as they are now more than 12 months old.

Can I pay a fee instead?

Secondary applicants who are unable to demonstrate Functional English (or simply do not wish to sit a test) can pay a second Visa Application Charge of $4,890 per person.

Looking for advice?

Every migration journey is unique. Book a consultation to let us provide tailored advice to match your circumstances and goals.

Immigration is changing the English language tests and scores for migrants from 7 August 2025.

New English Tests

Three new English language tests have been added to the list of those accepted by Australian Immigration.

For visa applications made on or after 7 August 2025, applicants will be permitted to provide results from the following test providers:

• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General)
• LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic)
• Michigan English Test (MET)

Results will be valid for 3 years from the date of the test, in line with other test providers.

What else has changed?

Immigration has adjusted the score levels required on PTE Academic, C1 Advanced, OET, and TEOFL iBT tests to bring these into alignment.

The CAE or C1 Advanced test has been removed from the list of acceptable tests for Vocational English requirements.

What is required to meet Competent English?

Minimum scores to meet Competent English requirements will be as follows:

Test	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
IELTS	6	6	6	6
PTE Academic	47	48	51	54
C1 Advanced	163	163	170	179
TOEFL iBT	16	16	19	19
OET	290	310	290	330
CELPIP General	7	7	7	7
LANGUAGECERT Academic	57	60	64	70
MET	56	55	57	48

I sat an English test before 7 August 2025 and met the old score requirements. Can I still use these results?

Yes. Immigration will continue to accept English tests undertaken before 7 August 2025 that met the old score requirements for Competent English:

• IELTS test score of at least 6 in each of the four test components; or
• OET test score of at least B in each of the four test components ; or
• TOEFL iBT test score with at least the following scores in the four test components: 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking; or
• PTE Academic test score of at least 50 in each of the four test components; or
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test score of at least 169 in each of the four test components.