The Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) requires the visa applicants to demonstrate their English language proficiency for most visa applications. This can be done through taking an English test by one of the following recognised English language tests:

For different visas, DoHA may require different levels of English proficiency. This is to ensure that the applicant is able to integrate into the Australian community. The English language proficiency can be categorised into the following:

Functional English
Vocational English
Competent English
Proficient English
Superior English

What Are the Different English Language Proficiencies?

Functional English

Applicants who are required to prove they have functional English for visas such as Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) - Hong Kong stream, Training Visa (Subclass 407), National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858), Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (Subclass 888) - All Streams, will need to provide evidence of:

A citizen of and hold a valid passport issued by:
- The United Kingdom
- The United States of America
- Canada
- New Zealand
- The Republic of Ireland
British National (Overseas) passports are not acceptable as evidence.
The applicant completed a degree, a higher degree, a diploma or a trade certificate in an institution in or outside Australia that required at least 2 years of full-time study. All classes were conducted in English.
Before the applicants apply for the visa, complete an English test in the last 1 year and score one of the following:

English Test	Minimum Required English Results
IELTS	Average band score of at least 4.5 based on 4 test components.
PTE Academic	Total band score of at least 30 based on the 4 test components.
TOEFL iBT	Total band score of at least 32 based on the 4 test components.
Cambridge C1 Advanced	Total band score of at least 147 based on the 4 test components.

Vocational English

Applicants who need to prove they have vocational English; they will need to provide one of the following:

A citizen of and hold a valid passport issued by:
- The United Kingdom
- The United States of America
- Canada
- New Zealand
- The Republic of Ireland
British National (Overseas) passports are not acceptable as evidence.
Before the applicant apply for the visa, complete an English test in the last 3 years and score one of the following:

English Test	Minimum Required English Results
IELTS	At least 5.0 in each of the 4 test components.
PTE Academic	At least 36 in each of the 4 test components.
TOEFL iBT	At least 4 for listening, 4 for reading, 14 for writing and 14 for speaking.
Cambridge C1 Advanced	At least 154 in each of the 4 test components.
OET	Score of at least ‘B’ in each component.

Competent English

Applicants who need to prove they have competent English, will need to provide one of the following:

A citizen of and hold a valid passport issued by:
- The United Kingdom
- The United States of America
- Canada
- New Zealand
- The Republic of Ireland
British National (Overseas) passports are not acceptable as evidence.
Before the applicant apply for the visa, complete an English test and score one of the following:

English Test	Minimum Required English Results
IELTS	At least 6.0 in each of the 4 test components.
PTE Academic	At least 50 in each of the 4 test components.
TOEFL iBT	At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking.
Cambridge C1 Advanced	At least 169 in each of the 4 test components.
OET	At least ‘B’ in each of the 4 components.

Proficient English

Applicants who want to prove they have proficient English. Before the applicant apply for the visa, complete an English test in the last 3 years and score one of the following:

English Test	Minimum Required English Results
IELTS	At least 7.0 in each of the 4 test components.
PTE Academic	At least 65 in each of the 4 test components.
TOEFL iBT	At least 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking.
Cambridge C1 Advanced	At least 185 in each of the 4 test components.
OET	At least ‘B’ in each of the 4 components.

Superior English

Applicants who want to prove they have superior English. Before the applicant apply for the visa, complete an English test in the last 3 years and score one of the following:

English Test	Minimum Required English Results
IELTS	At least 8.0 in each of the 4 test components.
PTE Academic	At least 79 in each of the 4 test components.
TOEFL iBT	At least 28 for listening, 29 for reading, 30 for writing and 26 for speaking.
Cambridge C1 Advanced	At least 200 in each of the 4 test components.
OET	At least ‘A’ in each of the 4 components.

How Can Agape Henry Crux Help

If you have any queries regarding meeting the English language proficiency requirement for your visa application, it may be a good idea to speak with an immigration lawyer for professional advice. At Agape Henry Crux, our team of immigration lawyers and migration agents work together with our Accredited Specialist Immigration Lawyers, who specialise in handling highly complex matters. You can book a consultation with one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or email us at info@ahclawyers.com.

We speak fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.

This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.

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