Pte Score Calculation

English Language Requirement for
Skilled Migration
If you are applying for Skilled Migration, you will need to prove your English
language ability. The required level of English depends on the visa subclass
you are applying for and there are 4 different levels of English which may be
relevant:
Superior English: 20 points in GSM points test
Proficient English: 10 points in GSM points test
Competent English: threshold requirement for General Skilled
Migration and ENS/RSMS Direct Entry
Vocational English: threshold requirement for ENS/RSMS Temporary
Residence Transition Stream
Functional English: for secondary applicants seeking to avoid paying
the English Language Charge
Timing of English
The timing of the English language requirement depends on the type of visa
being applied for:
General Skilled Migration: time of invitation
RSMS and ENS visas: time of application
As it can take some time to obtain a booking for a test and to receive the
results, you may wish to plan to take the English test well ahead of time.
Validity of English Tests
Tests conducted up to 3 years prior to lodgement of an application will be

accepted by the Department of Immigration.
The only exception to this is for functional English - this requires testing to
have been done at most 12 months before lodgement.
Acceptable English Tests
The IELTS test is the most common way of evidencing English language
ability. Either the Academic or General Training versions of the test are
acceptable to the Department of Immigration, but some skills assessing
authorities require applicants to sit the Academic version. You will need to
obtain a minimum score in each band of the IELTS (Reading, Writing,
Listening, Speaking) in a single sitting.
The Occupational English Test (OET) is also accepted as evidence of
proficient and superior levels of English. The OET is only appropriate for
medical and allied health professionals.
The Pearson Academic Test of English (Pearson PTE) and TOEFL
Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT) are now accepted for all skilled
subclasses. Most state and territory governments also recognise these tests,
as do some skills assessment authorities.
The Cambridge Test of English is also accepted from January 2015.
You can read more about the pros and cons of each English test in our
article here.
Vocational English
Vocational English is the required level to obtain ENS and RSMS visa through
the Temporary Residence Transitional stream for people who have held a 457
visa for 2 years with the employer.
Required scores to establish Vocational English are as follows:
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
IELTS
TOEFL iBT
14
14
PTE Academic
OET
Cambridge (CAE)
36
36
36
36
154
154
154
154
Competent English
For most skilled visas, you will need to show at least Competent English to
meet the threshold criteria. If you hold a passport from one of the following 5
countries, you can establish competent English without completing an English
test:
1. Canada
2. New Zealand
3. United Kingdom
4. United States
5. Ireland
Otherwise, you would need to complete a recognised English language test
and obtain the following score:
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
TOEFL iBT
12
13
21
18
PTE Academic
50
50
50
50
IELTS
OET
Cambridge (CAE)
169
169
169
169
Competent English gives you 0 points in the Skilled Migration Points Test,
but is an essential requirement to be able to lodge a skilled visa.
Proficient English
If you demonstrate proficient English, this will give you 10 points for English
language ability.
Even native English speakers must undertake English language testing to
obtain points for proficient English or higher.
Scores required for Proficient English are:
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
TOEFL iBT
24
24
27
23
PTE Academic
65
65
65
65
185
185
185
185
IELTS
OET
Cambridge (CAE)
Superior English
If you demonstrate superior English, this will give the maximum of 20 points
for English language ability. Minimum scores for Superior English are:
IELTS
TOEFL iBT
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
28
29
30
26
PTE Academic
OET
Cambridge (CAE)
79
79
79
79
200
200
200
200
Functional English
If your spouse or partner has less than functional English, then you would
need to pay the "English Education Charge" to cover English language tuition
in applying for skilled migration.
You can show you have functional English ability by providing evidence of one
of the following:
1. Completion of a degree, higher degree, diploma or trade certificate that
required at least 2 years of study in English medium
2. Completion of all years of primary education and at least 3 years of
secondary education in English medium; or
3. Completion of at least 5 years of secondary education in English
medium; or
4. Scoring at least 4.5 averaged over the four components of the IELTS
test within the 12 months before application, or during processing; or
5. Completion in Australia of at least 1 year of full-time study or equivalent
part-time study towards a degree, higher degree, diploma, or associate
diploma in English medium.
6. In some circumstances, functional English can be established via
interview
You can also demonstrate functional English by completing an English test
and scoring as follows:
Test component
Average across test components only
IELTS
4.5
TOEFL iBT
PTE Academic
30
OET
n/a
Cambridge (CAE)
147
Applying for migration to Australia can be complex, so we recommend that

you book a consultation to check your likely eligibility for immigration to
Australia before you proceed with an application.
Acacia | Immigration Australia
Australian Visa Types
General Skilled Migration (GSM)
Skilled Migration Criteria
English Language Requirement for Skilled Migration

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What are the different levels of English required for skilled migration and what do they correspond to?

What tests can be used to prove English ability and what are the minimum score requirements for each?

English Language Requirement for

Tests conducted up to 3 years prior to lodgement of an application will be

Average across test components only

Applying for migration to Australia can be complex, so we recommend that

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