English Points for Skilled Migration — Full Score Guide (2025-26)
English Language Requirements for Skilled Migration and ENS Visas
Important: Changes to accepted English language tests apply for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. New tests are accepted and some previously accepted tests are no longer valid. Check the tables below for your test date.
For english points skilled migration purposes, the level of English you demonstrate directly affects both your eligibility and your 🔗skilled migration points[/skilled-visa-points-test-table/] score. There are four English levels relevant to skilled and employer-sponsored visas:
- Superior English — 20 points on the skilled migration points test
- Proficient English — 10 points on the skilled migration points test
- Competent English — the minimum threshold to lodge a skilled visa. Earns 0 bonus points but is required to be eligible
- Vocational English — required for the RSMS 187 visa Temporary Residence Transitional stream
- Functional English — for secondary applicants (spouse/partner) to avoid the English Education Charge
IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR)
The Department accepts IELTS test results that include a One Skill Retake (OSR) — where the applicant retook one of the four components (reading, writing, speaking or listening) once.
Exception: The OSR is not accepted for applications for the following visas, which require scores from a single sitting:
- Subclass 476 (Recognised Graduate — now closed)
- Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand)
- Subclass 485 (Graduate Temporary)
Related:
Acceptable English Tests
Tests Taken On or After 7 August 2025
The department accepts test scores from the following tests that are undertaken at a secure test centre:
- Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced)
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General)
- International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic), including One Skill Retake (OSR)
- International English Language Testing System General Training (IELTS General Training), including One Skill Retake (OSR)
- LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic)
- Michigan English Test (MET), including Single Section Retake (SSR)
- Occupational English Test (OET)
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
Acceptable English Tests
Tests Taken On or Before 6 August 2025
The department still accepts test scores from the following tests, up until certain timeframes, that are undertaken at a secure test centre:
- Cambridge English (CAE) (also known as C1 Advanced)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS), including One Skill Retake (OSR)
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
- Occupational English Test (OET)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT).
*Test results from a test taken on or before 6 August 2025 may be used as evidence of English proficiency for visa purposes until 6 August 2028, inclusive. This will depend on the visa.
Vocational English — RSMS 187 Visa (Temporary Residence Transitional Stream)
Vocational English is the required level for the RSMS 187 visa Temporary Residence Transitional stream — for applicants who have held a TSS visa for 3 years with the same employer.
To demonstrate Vocational English, provide evidence of one of the following:
1. Passport exemption — hold a valid passport from: Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom or United States of America
2. Test scores — achieve the scores in Table 1 (tests on or after 7 August 2025) or Table 2 (tests on or before 6 August 2025) within the 3 years before your visa application
Table 1 – Vocational English approved tests and scores taken on or after 7 August 2025
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| CELPIP General | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| IELTS Academic The department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| IELTS General Training | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | 49 | 47 | 45 | 38 |
Occupational English Test (OET) This test is developed for health professionals. The OET scoring format was previously alphabetical and changed to numerical on 7 August 2025. OET does not currently provide overall test results on test score reports. However, you can get your overall OET score results by contacting OET. | 220 | 240 | 200 | 270 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUGECERT Academic) | 41 | 44 | 45 | 54 |
PTE Academic PTE Academic has the same name as the previous version of the test that was accepted before7 August 2025. However, the test and scores are different. | 33 | 36 | 29 | 24 |
TOEFL iBT From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT test was not approved for Australian visa purposes. | 8 | 8 | 9 | 14 |
Table 2 – Vocational English approved tests and scores taken on or before 6 August 2025*
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced) Previously known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) From 12 February 2024 to 6 August 2025, the department will only accept results from the Cambridge C1 Advanced paper-based test. The department will still accept tests taken before 12 February 2024 and within specified validity periods, for C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests. | 154 | 154 | 154 | 154 |
IELTS Academic or General Training From 14 December 2022, the department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| – | – | – | – | |
Occupational English Test (OET) This test is developed for health professionals. The OET scoring format was previously alphabetical and changed to numerical on 7 August 2025. OET does not currently provide overall test results on test score reports. However, you can get your overall OET score results by contacting OET. | B | B | B | B |
| | – | – | – | – |
PTE Academic PTE Academic has the same name as the test available from 7 August 2025, however, the test and scores are different. | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
TOEFL iBT From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT test was not approved for Australian visa purposes. | 4 | 4 | 14 | 14 |
Competent English — Minimum Threshold for Skilled Visas
Competent English is the minimum English level required to lodge most skilled visa applications — including the 189 visa, 190 visa, 491 visa and the 186 ENS visa Direct and Transition streams.
Passport holders from the following countries establish Competent English automatically — no test required: Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, Ireland
All other applicants must achieve the test scores in Table 1 (tests on or after 7 August 2025) or Table 2 (tests on or before 6 August 2025) within the 3 years before their visa application.
Table 1 – Competent English approved tests and scores taken on or after 7 August 2025
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| IELTS Academic & General Training | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| TOEFL iBT | 16 | 16 | 19 | 19 |
| PTE Academic | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | 290 | 310 | 290 | 330 |
| Cambridge (CAE) | 163 | 163 | 170 | 179 |
| CELPIP General | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | 56 | 55 | 57 | 48 |
| LANGUGECERT Academic | 57 | 60 | 64 | 70 |
Note: Competent English earns 0 bonus points on the skilled migration points test — but it is the essential minimum to be eligible. Without it, you cannot lodge a skilled visa application regardless of your total points score.
Table 2 – Competent English approved tests and scores taken on or before 6 August 2025*
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| IELTS Academic & General Training | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| TOEFL iBT | 12 | 13 | 21 | 21 |
| PTE Academic | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | B | B | B | B |
| Cambridge (CAE) | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
| – | – | – | – | |
| – | – | – | – | |
| – | – | – | – |
Proficient English — 10 Points on the Skilled Migration Points Test
Proficient English awards 10 points on the points test australia for the 189 visa, 190 visa and 491 visa. Even applicants who hold an exempt passport (UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Ireland) must sit an English test and achieve Proficient scores to claim these english points skilled migration — passport exemption only establishes Competent English (0 points).
Test results must be within the 3 years before your visa application (or 12 months for some visa subclasses).
Table 1 – Competent English approved tests and scores taken on or after 7 August 2025
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| IELTS Academic & IELT General Training | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| TOEFL iBT | 22 | 22 | 26 | 24 |
| PTE Academic | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | 350 | 360 | 380 | 360 |
| Cambridge (CAE) | 175 | 179 | 193 | 194 |
| CELPIP General | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | 61 | 63 | 74 | 59 |
| LANGUGECERT Academic | 67 | 71 | 78 | 82 |
Table 2 – Competent English approved tests and scores taken on or before 6 August 2025*
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| IELTS Academic & General Training | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| TOEFL iBT | 24 | 24 | 27 | 23 |
| PTE Academic | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | B | B | B | B |
| Cambridge (CAE) | 185 | 185 | 185 | 185 |
| – | – | – | – | |
| – | – | – | – | |
| – | – | – | – |
* Test results from a test taken on or before 6 August 2025, may be used as evidence of English proficiency for visa purposes until 6 August 2028, inclusive. This will depend on the visa.
Superior English — 20 Points on the Skilled Migration Points Test
Superior English awards 20 points on the pr points calculator for the 189 visa, 190 visa and 491 visa — the highest single points gain available from any one category. Achieving Superior English instead of Competent English adds 20 points to your score, which can be the entire difference between being below and above the invitation threshold.
Even applicants from exempt passport countries must sit an English test to claim Superior English points — passport exemption establishes Competent English only.
Table 1 – Competent English approved tests and scores taken on or after 7 August 2025
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| IELTS Academic & IELT General Training | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| TOEFL iBT | 26 | 27 | 30 | 28 |
| PTE Academic | 69 | 70 | 85 | 88 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | 390 | 400 | 420 | 400 |
| Cambridge (CAE) | 186 | 190 | 210 | 208 |
| CELPIP General | 10 | 10 | 12 | 10 |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | – | – | – | – |
| LANGUGECERT Academic | 80 | 83 | 89 | 89 |
Table 2 – Competent English approved tests and scores taken on or before 6 August 2025*
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
| IELTS Academic or General Training | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| TOEFL iBT | 28 | 29 | 30 | 26 |
| PTE Academic | 79 | 79 | 79 | 79 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | A | A | A | A |
| Cambridge (CAE) | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 |
| – | – | – | – | |
| – | – | – | – | |
| – | – | – | – |
Functional English — Secondary Applicants
If a secondary applicant (spouse or partner) does not meet Functional English, the Department requires payment of the English Education Charge at the time of application. Demonstrating Functional English avoids this charge.
To demonstrate Functional English, provide evidence of one of the following:
- Hold a valid passport from: Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom or United States
- Completed a degree, higher degree, diploma or trade certificate from an institution in or outside Australia that required at least 2 years of full-time study, with all instruction in English
- Completed education at the institutions for the study times in Table 1 below
- Achieved the test scores in Table 2 (tests on or after 7 August 2025) or Table 3 (tests on or before 6 August 2025) within the 12 months before your visa application
Table 1 – Functional English education institutions and study time
| Educational institutions | Study time |
|---|---|
| A primary school and secondary school, in or outside Australia, where all instruction was in English | All years of primary and at least 3 years of secondary education |
| A secondary school, in or outside Australia, where all instruction was in English | At least 5 years of secondary education |
An institution in Australia, where all instruction was in English, towards one of the following awards:
|
|
VisaAid’s consultants assess your English evidence, confirm whether you meet the Functional English threshold and advise whether the English Education Charge applies to your application. Book your free assessment before lodging.
Table 2 – Functional English approved tests and scores taken on or after 7 August 2025
| Test | Scores |
|---|---|
| CELPIP General | An overall band score of at least 5 |
| IELTS Academic | An average band score of at least 4.5 |
| IELTS General Training | An average band score of at least 4.5 |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | An overall band score of at least 38 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | An overall band score of at least 1020 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | An overall band score of at least 38 |
| PTE Academic | An overall band score of at least 24 |
| TOEFL iBT | A total score of at least 26 |
Table 3 – Functional English approved tests and scores taken on or before 6 August 2025*
| Test | Scores |
|---|---|
Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced) Previously known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | A total band score of at least 147 |
| IELTS Academic or General Training | An average band score of at least 4.5 |
| PTE Academic | A total band score of at least 30 |
| TOEFL iBT | A total band score of at least 32 |
* Test results from a test taken on or before 6 August 2025, may be used as evidence of English proficiency for visa purposes until 6 August 2026, inclusive. This will depend on the visa.
When Your English Results Must Be Current
The date at which your English results must be valid depends on your visa type:
- General Skilled Migration (189, 190, 491) — at the time of invitation, not at EOI submission
- ENS 186 visa and RSMS 187 visa — at the time of application lodgment
English test bookings fill quickly around major application periods and results can take weeks to arrive. Book your test at least 6–8 weeks before your intended EOI submission or visa lodgment date to avoid timing issues.
Validity Period of English Test Results
The Department of Home Affairs accepts English test results from tests conducted up to 3 years before the date of lodgment for most visa subclasses — with one exception:
- Functional English — test results must be from within 12 months of lodgment
Note: tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 may be used as evidence of English proficiency for visa purposes until 6 August 2028 — check the footnotes on each score table for your specific visa.
Remote and At-Home English Tests — Not Accepted for Australian Visas
The Department of Home Affairs does not accept scores from remote or at-home English language tests as evidence of English proficiency for student, skilled or permanent visa applications. All tests must be taken in person at an approved test centre.
The following online and at-home test formats are not accepted for Australian visa purposes:
- CELPIP Online
- IELTS Online
- LANGUAGECERT Academic Online
- MET Digital (taken at-home)
- OET@Home
- TOEFL iBT – Home Edition
Maximising Your English Points for Skilled Migration
English is the single most impactful category you can improve in the skilled migration points test — the difference between Competent (0 points) and Superior English (20 points) is 20 points, which often determines whether you receive a SkillSelect invitation.
- Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band) — 0 bonus points, minimum eligibility
- Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 each band) — +10 points
- Superior English (IELTS 8.0 each band) — +20 points
- Skilled Visa Points Test Table
- 485 Visa English Requirements
- 186 Visa English Requirements
- 482 Skills in Demand Visa English Requirements
- Work Experience Points
- Professional Year Points
Book your free English points assessment — VisaAid’s consultants confirm which score table applies to your test date, calculate your points and advise whether retesting would materially improve your invitation prospects.