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.
What scores do I need for Proficient English?
| Test |
Listening |
Reading |
Writing |
Speaking |
| IELTS |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
| PTE Academic |
58 |
59 |
69 |
76 |
| C1 Advanced |
175 |
179 |
193 |
194 |
| TOEFL iBT |
22 |
22 |
26 |
24 |
| OET |
350 |
360 |
380 |
360 |
| CELPIP General |
9 |
8 |
10 |
8 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic |
67 |
71 |
78 |
82 |
What scores do I need for Superior English?
| Test |
Listening |
Reading |
Writing |
Speaking |
| IELTS |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
| PTE Academic |
69 |
70 |
85 |
88 |
| C1 Advanced |
186 |
190 |
210 |
208 |
| TOEFL iBT |
26 |
27 |
30 |
28 |
| OET |
390 |
400 |
420 |
400 |
| CELPIP General |
10 |
10 |
12 |
10 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic |
80 |
83 |
89 |
89 |
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 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.
For 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.
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About the Author
Christel is a Senior Registered Migration Agent, having worked in the migration industry since 2005. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Migration Law and Practice, and is an active member of the Migration Institute of Australia's Family Visa Advisory Panel. With a focus on Family Migration and Corporate Immigration Services,...
Learn more about Christel →