English Standards for Australian Migration
* FUNCTIONAL ENGLISH is also satisfied if:
- The applicant provides evidence of having completed all years of primary education and at least 3 years of secondary education at educational institutions in which all instructions was conducted in English; or
- The applicant provides evidence of having completed at least 5 years of secondary education at educational institutions in which all instructions was conducted in English; or
- The applicant provides evidence of successfully completing at least 1 year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study in Australia, towards a degree, higher degree, diploma, or associate diploma at an institution or institutions where all the instructions was conducted in English
| Skills in Demand 482 Visa** | Temporary Graduate 485 Visas | Temporary Graduate 485 Visas (Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders) | Student 500 Visa*** | Student 500 Visa (criteria 1)*** | Student 500 Visa (criteria 2)*** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International English Test System (IELTS) | overall band score of at least 5; and at least 5.0 across all 4 components | overall band score of at least 6.5; and at least 5.5 across all components | overall band score of at least 6; and at least 5 across all components | overall band score of at least 6.0 | overall band score of at least 5.5 | overall band score of at least 5.0 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | at least B across all 4 components | at least B across all components | at least B across all components | at least B across all components | at least B across all components | at least B across all components |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT) | overall band score of at least 35; and 4 listening; 4 reading; 14 writing; 14 speaking | overall score of at least 83; and 7 listening; 8 reading; 18 writing; 16 speaking | overall score of at least 64; and 4 listening; 4 reading; 14 writing; 14 speaking | overall score of at least 64 | overall score of at least 46 | overall score of at least 36 |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | overall band score of at least 36; and at least 36 across all 4 components | overall band score of at least 57; and 43 listening; 48 reading; 51 writing; 42 speaking | overall band score of at least 50; and at least 36 across all components | overall band score of at least 50 | overall band score of at least 42 | overall band score of at least 35 |
| Cambridge English Advanced Certificate in Advanced English | overall band score of at least 154; and at least 154 across all 4 components | overall band score of at least 176; and at least 162 for across all components | overall band score of at least 169; and at least 154 for across all components | overall band score of at least 169 | overall band score of at least 162 | overall band score of at least 154 |
| Passport satisfying automatic eligibility | UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Ireland | UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Ireland | UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Ireland | UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Ireland | UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Ireland |
** Skills in Demand 482 Visa Standards are also satisfied if:
- The applicant completed at least 5 years of full-time study in a secondary education institution or higher education institution where the instruction was delivered in English;
- Other specific exemptions may also apply depending on the individual nature of the occupation and sponsorship – please contact us for further details.
*** Student 500 Visa Standards are also satisfied if:
- The applicant has successfully completed a minimum of 5 years of study in English undertaken in one or more of the following countries; Australia, Canada, NZ, South Africa, Ireland, UK or USA.
- The applicant is enrolled in a course of study that is registered to be delivered in a language other than English; or an ELICOS course; or a registered school course; or a registered post-graduate research course.
- The applicant is a Foreign Affairs student, a Defence student, or a Secondary exchange student.
- The applicant has successfully completed the requirements for a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education in a course that was conducted in Australia and in English (in the 2 years before applying for the student visa).
- The applicant has successfully completed a substantial component of a course leading to a qualification form the Australian Qualifications Framework at the Certificate IV or higher level that was conducted in Australia and in English while holding a student visa (in the 2 years before applying for the student visa).
*** Special criteria apply for Student 500 Visa applicants:
- criteria 1 applies if the applicant is enrolled in at least 10 weeks of an ELICOS that accompanies a principal course; or a standard foundation program; or an extended foundation program; or a registered “eligible pathway program“.
- criteria 2 applies if the applicant is enrolled in at least 20 weeks of an ELICOS that accompanies a principal course.
Please note that the information provided on this page is general only and is not legal advice for any individual’s circumstances. If you would like to further discuss how this information relates to your situation please “Contact Us”