Most Australian temporary and permanent residence visa applications require applicants to meet English language requirements. Currently there are FIVE different English exams that are accepted by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection:
- IELTS – International English Language Testing System (Academic or General Module)
- OET – Occupational English Test
- TOEFL iBT – Test of English as a Foreign Language (internet-based test)
- PTE – Pearson Test of English (Academic)
- CAE – Cambridge English: Advanced
While there are different English exams available the requirements thresholds remain the same as Functional, Vocational, Competent, Proficient and Superior. Here are the equivalents across the five different exams:
| English Language proficiency level | Test component | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)* | OET |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Functional | Average/total/ overall across test components | 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 |
Fees and Time Taken for Results
The following are fees for the exams in Australia:
IELTS – A$ 330 Results available 13 calendar days after the test
OET – A$ 587 including A$ 7 booking fee Results available 16 business days after the test (add 7 to 10 business days for post)
TOEFL iBT – US$ 300 Results available 10 calendar days after the test (add 4 to 6 weeks for post)
PTE – A$ 330 Results available 5 business days after the test
CAE – A$ 280 Results available 4-6 weeks after the test (2 weeks for computer-based exams)
Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers
The availability of different English exams is a great advantage for visa applicants for the following reasons:
- Applicants can now take English exams of a different format, e.g. computer-based exams
- Applicants who are facing time constraints or deadlines to submit a visa application with an English exam result now have more options to obtain an English exam result faster
Work Visa Lawyers advises that applicants do not wait until the last minute before submitting a visa application. Occasionally circumstances may force applicants to have a very short window to submit a visa application. Applicants can now check with different English exam providers to see which can provide the English exams results in time for their visa application.
Now that the new English exams have been introduced for quite some time, I can provide you with some feedback from my clients:
- Many clients are preferring the PTE Academic exam as they find that they can get better results compared to the IELTS
- This means that exam places for the PTE Academic exam may be booked up as more visa applicants choose to take the PTE exam
- Book your English exams as early as possible to avoid a long wait for the exam date
This information is accurate on 28 August 2015
Sources:
- IELTS https://ielts.com.au/
- OET https://www.occupationalenglishtest.org/
- TOEFL https://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/about/
- PTE http://pearsonpte.com/
- CAE http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/advanced/
Links to previous blogs about English requirements:
- Australia Migration Updates - Video Update by Registered Migration Agent Chris Johnston
- Changes announced for the 457 visa – Lower English Requirements
- Changes announced for the 476 and 485 visa – Lower English Requirements
- Australian Immigration News for September 2014 - New English Tests and Partner Visa Fees Up
- WHICH ENGLISH TEST IS THE BEST FOR AUSTRALIAN MIGRATION?
- Five tips for the IELTS test by English tutor Fran Reid
Do you need help with an Australian visa application?
At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as Migration Review Tribunal, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.
If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:
(08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091