You may need to meet English language requirements for certain Australia visas and when submitting your Expression Of Interest for points-tested visas. The table below explains the IELTS tests scores you need to meet the different levels of English proficiency. Please note that you can demonstrate English proficiency with other major English exams as well.

For Subclass 482 Skills In Demand (SID) visa, there are specific English requirements. For IELTS test scores, the following are required:

For Core Skills Stream 

• IELTS – Overall band score of at least 5.0 with a score of at least 4.5 in each test component.
• PTE – Overall test score of at least 36 with a score of at least 30 in each test component.
• OET – Score of at least ‘B’ in each of the four components.
• TOEFL iBT – Total score of at least 35 with a score of at least 3 for listening and reading and a score of at least 12 for speaking and writing.
• CAE – Overall test score of at least 154 with a score of at least 147 in each test component.

For Specialist Skills Stream 

• IELTS – Overall band score of at least 5.0 with a score of at least 5 in each test component.
• PTE – Overall test score of at least 36 with a score of at least 36 in each test component.
• OET – Score of at least ‘B’ in each of the four components.
• TOEFL iBT – Total score of at least 35 with a score of at least 4 for listening and reading and a score of at least 14 for speaking and writing.
• CAE – Overall test score of at least 154 with a score of at least 154 in each test component.

You may be exempt from taking the English test, and if you meet the below exemptions, you may be required to provide supporting evidence. These exemptions typically apply to:

• you are a passport holder from:
  • Canada
  • New Zealand
  • the Republic of Ireland
  • the United Kingdom
  • the United States of America

• you have completed at least 5 years of full-time study in at least a secondary level institution and where most classes were in English. We need the following information:
  • name and location of the institution/s
  • level of qualification/s
  • official transcript from the secondary and/or tertiary institution
  • number of contact hours per week in English
  • number of years of study

• your nominated occupation in Australia will be performed at:
  • diplomatic or consular mission of another country
  • an Office of the Authorities of Taiwan

• your nominated occupation requires you:
  • to hold a licence, registration or membership
  • you were granted the licence, registration, or membership 
  • you had to prove that you had equal or higher English language proficiency than that listed in the table below to be granted the licence, registration, or membership

• You are:
  • An employee of an overseas business
  • the business or its associated entity has nominated you to work in Australia 
  • you will receive a guaranteed annual earnings of at least AUD96,400