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Skilled and Talent Visas

How do I prove Functional English?

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.

What is Proficient or Superior English?

Need Proficient or Superior English for your General Skilled Migration visa application?

From 7 August 2025 applicants will need higher scores in each band of most English language tests. Only the IELTS remains unchanged.

Why would I need Proficient or Superior English?

These higher levels of English tests attract additional points in the GSM points test. Applicants with Proficient English are granted 10 points, while those with Superior English are granted 20 points.

It is not possible to claim Proficient or Superior English based on passport alone.

What scores do I need for Proficient English?

TestListeningReadingWritingSpeaking
IELTS7777
PTE Academic58596976
C1 Advanced175179193194
TOEFL iBT22222624
OET350360380360
CELPIP General98108
LANGUAGECERT Academic67717882
MET61637459

What scores do I need for Superior English?

TestListeningReadingWritingSpeaking
IELTS8888
PTE Academic69708588
C1 Advanced186190210208
TOEFL iBT26273028
OET390400420400
CELPIP General10101210
LANGUAGECERT Academic80838989
METNOT ACCEPTED

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.

Pre-7 August 2025 Proficient English

  • IELTS test score of at least 7 in each of the four test components
  • OET test score of at least B in each of the four test components
  • TOEFL iBT test score with at least the following scores in the four test components: 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking
  • PTE Academic test score of at least 65 in each of the four test components
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test score of at least 185 in each of the four test components.

Pre-7 August 2025 Superior English

  • IELTS test score of at least 8 in each of the four test components
  • OET test score of at least A in each of the four test components
  • TOEFL iBT test score with at least the following scores in the four test components: 28 for listening, 29 for reading, 30 for writing and 26 for speaking
  • PTE Academic test score of at least 79 in each of the four test components
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test score of at least 200 in each of the four test components.

Considering General Skilled Migration?

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