English Language Requirement
Different levels of language competency may be required depending on the visa subclass you are applying for. For instance, you are required to demonstrate that you are competent in English if you are applying for subclass 489 or 189. To do so, you need to have scored at least 6 in each individual band-score or it can be the equivalent score on other English tests recognized by the Department of Home Affairs such as TOEFL iBT, CAE, PTE or OET.
If you’d like to see how these English tests compare to one another, please click here or refer to the website of the Department of Home Affairs if the link is not available.
| English Language proficiency level | Test component | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)* | OET |
| Functional | Average/total/overall across test components only | 4.5 | 32 | 30 | 147 | n/a |
| Vocational | Listening | 5.0 | 4 | 36 | 154 | B |
| Reading | 5.0 | 4 | 36 | 154 | B | |
| Writing | 5.0 | 14 | 36 | 154 | B | |
| Speaking | 5.0 | 14 | 36 | 154 | B | |
| Competent | Listening | 6.0 | 12 | 50 | 169 | B |
| Reading | 6.0 | 13 | 50 | 169 | B | |
| Writing | 6.0 | 21 | 50 | 169 | B | |
| Speaking | 6.0 | 18 | 50 | 169 | B | |
| Proficient (for points tested Skilled visas) | Listening | 7.0 | 24 | 65 | 185 | B |
| Reading | 7.0 | 24 | 65 | 185 | B | |
| Writing | 7.0 | 27 | 65 | 185 | B | |
| Speaking | 7.0 | 23 | 65 | 185 | B | |
| Superior (for points tested Skilled visas) | Listening | 8.0 | 28 | 79 | 200 | A |
| Reading | 8.0 | 29 | 79 | 200 | A | |
| Writing | 8.0 | 30 | 79 | 200 | A | |
| Speaking | 8.0 | 26 | 79 | 200 | A |
*From 1 January 2015 and only for a Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test taken on or after 1 January 2015.
*** The table above is extracted from the website of Australian Government Department of Home Affairs
