Australian Migration legislation prescribes the following five levels of English proficiency:
- Functional English
- Vocational English
- Competent English
- Proficient English
- Superior English
The Commonly Specified Language Tests
The approved language tests, and the minimum test scores, are specified by legislative instruments and differ between visa subclasses and streams. The six tests listed below are the tests most commonly specified as evidence of English language proficiency. Some visas have their own instrument: the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) approves eight tests, set out further down this page.
- The IELTS Academic Test (IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP IELTS, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment)
- The IELTS General Training Test
- The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
- The Occupational English Test (OET)
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)
- The Cambridge C1 Advanced Test, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
In the tables below, the minimum specified test scores are displayed for each level of English proficiency. For Vocational, Competent, Proficient and Superior English you must achieve at least the minimum score in every test component: listening, reading, writing and speaking. For Functional English, an overall or average score applies.
Functional English
| Test | Minimum score required |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | An average band score of at least 4.5 |
| IELTS General Training | An average band score of at least 4.5 |
| PTE Academic | An overall band score of at least 24 |
| OET | An overall band score of at least 1020 |
| TOEFL iBT | A total band score of at least 26 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | Not accepted for Functional English |
Vocational English
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| IELTS General Training | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| PTE Academic | 33 | 36 | 29 | 24 |
| OET | 220 | 240 | 200 | 270 |
| TOEFL iBT | 8 | 8 | 9 | 14 |
The Cambridge C1 Advanced Test is not accepted as evidence of Vocational English.
Competent English
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| IELTS General Training | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| PTE Academic | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 |
| OET | 290 | 310 | 290 | 330 |
| TOEFL iBT | 16 | 16 | 19 | 19 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 163 | 163 | 170 | 179 |
Proficient English
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| IELTS General Training | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| PTE Academic | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 |
| OET | 350 | 360 | 380 | 360 |
| TOEFL iBT | 22 | 22 | 26 | 24 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 175 | 179 | 193 | 194 |
Superior English
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| IELTS General Training | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| PTE Academic | 69 | 70 | 85 | 88 |
| OET | 390 | 400 | 420 | 400 |
| TOEFL iBT | 26 | 27 | 30 | 28 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 186 | 190 | 210 | 208 |
Online Test Restrictions
The Department of Home Affairs does not accept evidence from English language tests that are delivered completely online (also known as ‘remote-proctored’ or ‘at-home’ tests). Examples of online tests that are not accepted for Australian visa purposes include:
- CELPIP Online
- IELTS Online
- LANGUAGECERT Academic Online
- MET Digital (taken at home)
- OET@Home
- TOEFL iBT Home Edition
You should research which test option suits your individual situation best. If you are not certain which level of English proficiency you are required to prove, engage the services of an Australian Registered Migration Agent and ask them to confirm it with you before you book a test.
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482): Approved Tests and Scores
For the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), the Migration (English Language Test Requirements for Subclass 482 Visas) Instrument 2025, in force from 10 September 2025, approves eight tests. The applicant must achieve the minimum score in every test component; there is no overall score requirement. Note that the Cambridge C1 Advanced test is not an approved test for the subclass 482.
- CELPIP General: 5 listening, 5 reading, 5 writing, 5 speaking
- IELTS Academic: 5.0 in listening, reading, writing and speaking
- IELTS General Training: 5.0 in listening, reading, writing and speaking
- LANGUAGECERT Academic: 41 listening, 44 reading, 45 writing, 54 speaking
- Michigan English Test (MET): 49 listening, 47 reading, 45 writing, 38 speaking
- Occupational English Test (OET): 220 listening, 240 reading, 200 writing, 270 speaking
- PTE Academic: 33 listening, 36 reading, 29 writing, 24 speaking
- TOEFL iBT: 8 listening, 8 reading, 9 writing, 14 speaking
A single test component may be re-sat on a later day and combined with the original sitting, and the test day must be no more than 3 years before the evidence is provided. Some applicants are exempt, and requirements for the Labour Agreement stream can differ. This section is based on the instrument as in force from 10 September 2025 and is current as at 28 July 2026.
English Language Requirements for Visas
The five levels of English proficiency above, and the specified tests and test scores that evidence them, apply where the criteria for a visa prescribe a level of English proficiency, such as Competent English or Functional English.
Different visa classes and subclasses can also have their own English language criteria, set by their own legislative instruments, with their own approved tests and their own minimum scores. These can differ from the tests and scores shown above, and they change from time to time. For example, the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) has its own instrument that approves eight tests and requires a minimum score in every test component; see the English language requirements for a 482 visa.
Before you book a test, you should confirm the exact English language requirement for the specific visa subclass and stream you are applying for, including which tests are accepted, the scores required, and whether an exemption applies to you. Booking the wrong test, or the right test with the wrong scores, costs both money and time. If you are not certain which requirement applies to you, engage the services of an Australian Registered Migration Agent and ask them to confirm it with you before you book a test.
General information is provided on this page. Please note that information, rules, criteria and requirements change frequently; the information provided is current as at 22 July 2026.