1. Exempt Countries (No Test Needed for Competent English)

If you hold a valid passport from these countries, you don’t need to take an English test to prove Competent English for your visa:

• • United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
  • Republic of Ireland
  • United States of America
  • Canada
  • New Zealand

Note:
Even if you are exempt, you must still take an English test if you intend to claim migration points for Proficient or Superior English.

2. Countries That Require a Test

Applicants from all other countries must take an accepted English test.
This includes the Philippines, Nepal, India, China, and many others.

Accepted English tests:

• • IELTS – Academic or General Training
  • PTE Academic
  • TOEFL iBT (internet-based)
  • OET – Occupational English Test (for healthcare professionals)
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE – paper-based only)
  • CELPIP General (available from August 7, 2025)
  • LanguageCert Academic (available from August 7, 2025)
  • MET – Michigan English Test (available from August 7, 2025)

Important:

Online or at-home versions of English tests, such as IELTS Online, TOEFL Home Edition, and OET@Home, are not accepted. You must take the test at an official secure test centre.

3. Student Visa (Subclass 500)

For Student Visa applications, the required scores are lower than skilled migration.
Only IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, and Cambridge C1 Advanced are accepted.

• • IELTS: Overall 5.5, with no band below 5.0
    • If packaged with ELICOS (English language course): Overall 4.5, with no band below 4.0

• • PTE Academic: Overall 42, with no band below 36
    • If packaged with ELICOS: Overall 30, with no band below 29

• • TOEFL iBT: Overall 46, with minimum
    • Listening 5, Reading 4, Writing 14, Speaking 14

• • Cambridge C1 Advanced: Overall 162, with no component below 154

• • OET (for health courses): Minimum B in each component

Tip:
Several institutions may consider slightly lower English test scores if you plan to complete an English pathway program prior to commencing your main course.

4. Minimum Score Requirements by English Level

Functional English

(Basic English, often for partner or family visas)

• • IELTS: Overall average 4.5
  • PTE Academic: Overall 30
  • TOEFL iBT: Overall 32
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced: Overall 147

Vocational English

(For certain work/trade visas like TSS subclass 482)

• • IELTS: 5.0 in each component
  • PTE Academic: 36 in each component
  • OET: Grade B in each component
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced: Overall 154

Competent English

(Base level for skilled migration, e.g., subclass 189, 190, 491)

• • IELTS: 6.0 in each component

• • PTE Academic:
    • Listening: 47
    • Reading: 48
    • Writing: 51
    • Speaking: 54

• • TOEFL iBT:
    • Listening: 12
    • Reading: 13
    • Writing: 21
    • Speaking: 18

• • OET: Grade B in each component

• • Cambridge C1 Advanced: 169 in each component

Superior English (+20 migration points)

• • IELTS: 8.0 in each component

• • PTE Academic:
    • Listening: 69
    • Reading: 70
    • Writing: 85
    • Speaking: 88

• • TOEFL iBT:
    • Listening: 28
    • Reading: 29
    • Writing: 30
    • Speaking: 26

• • Cambridge C1 Advanced: 200 in each component