NISAC

English Language Requirement for Skilled Migration Australia

If you are applying for Skilled Migration, you will need to prove your English language ability. The required level of English depends on the visa subclass you are applying for and there are 4 different levels of English which may be relevant:
• Superior English: 20 points in GSM points test
• Proficient English: 10 points in GSm points test
• Competent English: threshold requirement for General Skilled Migration Direct Entry
• Vocational English: threshold requirement for Temporary Residence Transition Stream
• Functional English: for secondary applicants seeking to avoid paying the English Language Charge

Vocational English
Vocational English is the required level to obtain ENS and RSMS visa through the Temporary Residence Transitional stream for people who have held a 457 visa for 2 years with the employer.
Required scores to establish Vocational English are as follows:
Listening Reading Writing Speaking
IELTS 5 5 5 5
TOEFL 4 4 14 14
PTE Academic 36 36 36 36
OET B B B B
Cambridge (CAE) 154 154 154 154

Competent English
For most skilled visas, you will need to show at least Competent English to meet the threshold criteria. If you hold a passport from one of the following 5 countries, you can establish competent English without completing an English test:
Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, Ireland
Otherwise, you would need to complete a recognised English language test and obtain the following score:

Listening Reading Writing Speaking
IELTS 6 6 6 6
TOEFL IBT 12 13 21 18
PTE Academic 50 50 50 50
OET B B B B
Cambridge (CAE) 169 169 169 169

Competent English gives you 0 points in the Skilled Migration Points Test, but is an essential requirement to be able to lodge a skilled visa.

Proficient English
If you demonstrate proficient English, this will give you 10 points for English language ability.
Even native English speakers must undertake English language testing to obtain points for proficient English or higher.
Scores required for Proficient English are:
Listening Reading Writing Speaking
IELTS 7 7 7 7
TOEFL IBT 24 24 27 23
PTE Academic 65 65 65 65
OET B B B B
Cambridge (CAE) 185 185 185 185

Superior English
If you demonstrate superior English, this will give the maximum of 20 points for English language ability. Minimum scores for Superior English are:
Listening Reading Writing Speaking
IELTS 8 8 8 8
TOEFL IBT 28 29 30 26
PTE Academic 79 79 79 79
OET A A A A
Cambridge (CAE) 200 200 200 200

Functional English
Test component Average across test components only
IELTS 4.5
TOEFL 8
PTE Academic 30
OET n/a
Cambridge (CAE) 147

Applying for migration to Australia can be complex, so we recommend that you book a consultation with NISAC to check your likely eligibility for immigration to Australia before you proceed with an application.