NAATI Points for Skilled Migration — 5 Community Language Points
How to Claim 5 Points for a Community Language
A successful Credentialled Community Language (CCL) test awards 5 points on the Australian skilled migration points test.
The points are commonly known as NAATI points because one of the main ways to obtain the required community language credential is by passing the NAATI Credentialled Community Language (CCL) test.
Under the Migration Regulations, the applicant must hold the relevant community language qualification at the time of invitation to apply. The qualification must be awarded by National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) and meet the paraprofessional level or above.
The NAATI Credentialled Community Language (CCL) test awards 5 bonus points on the skilled migration points test to applicants who hold a recognised community language credential. These are commonly called NAATI points and form part of the Skilled Visa Points Test.
To find out whether your language qualifies and how to incorporate your NAATI credential into your EOI, speak to a VisaAid migration consultant.
Applicants who already hold a NAATI certification at an eligible level can claim the 5 NAATI points without sitting additional testing — your existing credential is sufficient evidence.
Note: Passing the CCL test awards 5 migration points only — it does not certify you to work professionally as an interpreter or translator. Professional interpreter/translator accreditation requires a separate, higher-level NAATI credential.
To claim 5 NAATI points on the points test australia, you must hold a community language credential awarded by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) at one of the following levels:
- Paraprofessional Translator or Interpreter — NAATI accreditation at the paraprofessional (Level 2) or above
- Certified Provisional Translator or Interpreter — NAATI certification at the certified provisional level or above
- Credentialled Community Language (CCL) credential — the specific test designed for the 5 migration points
The credential must be in an eligible community language — see the full language list in Tab 2 below. You must hold the credential at the time you are invited to apply — not just at EOI submission.
The CCL is not the same as the NAATI professional certification used for the NAATI community language points claimed on an EOI. Confirm your specific credential level with NAATI before claiming these points.
You can add 5 points to your pr points calculator score if you hold a credentialled community language qualification from NAATI. The NAATI points apply to credentials in the following languages:
To obtain the community language skillselect points, you must hold NAATI accreditation at the paraprofessional level (Level 2) or higher. NAATI currently offers CCL exams in the following languages — verify the current list on the NAATI website before applying, as languages are added periodically:
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VisaAid’s migration consultants confirm whether your language and credential level qualify for the 5 NAATI points, calculate your complete skilled migration points score and map your fastest pathway to an invitation. Book your free assessment to get started.
NAATI CCL tests are available in the capital city of every Australian State and Territory. Testing locations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin and Canberra.
- New Zealand Testing Locations: In New Zealand, NAATI CCL tests are available in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.
- International Testing Locations: NAATI CCL tests are also available at the following international locations:
- Bangladesh — Khulna
- China — Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shanghai
- England — London
- Greece — Athens
- India — New Delhi
- Iran — Tehran
- Philippines — Manila
- Saudi Arabia — Riyadh
- Singapore
- South Africa — Johannesburg
- United Arab Emirates — Dubai
Testing locations and availability change frequently. Verify current exam dates, locations and registration details directly on the NAATI website (naati.com.au) before planning your test.
The CCL test assesses your ability to communicate information between English and another language at a community level. The test consists of two dialogues involving English and your other language.
To pass the CCL test, you must:
- achieve a total score of at least 63 out of 90; and
- achieve at least 29 marks in each dialogue.
A total score of 63 or more is not sufficient if you receive less than 29 marks in either dialogue.
The CCL test is a community-level language assessment. Passing it does not make you a professional interpreter or translator. Professional NAATI certification is a separate credential.
NAATI currently states that CCL results and credential letters issued from 9 August 2022 are valid for five years from the date of issue. Results issued before 9 August 2022 were generally valid for three years.
If your CCL credential has expired, NAATI states that it cannot be extended and you will need to sit the test again.
For this reason, applicants should consider the expected timing of their invitation when deciding when to undertake the CCL test.
NAATI Points and Your SkillSelect EOI
If you hold an eligible NAATI Credentialled Community Language (CCL) credential, you can claim 5 community language points in your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) for a points-tested skilled visa.
When completing your EOI, you should declare the 5 points under the Credentialled Community Language category and retain your NAATI credential as evidence of your claim.
Importantly, the requirement is not assessed only when you submit your EOI. If you claim these 5 points, you must hold the required community language qualification at the time you are invited to apply for the visa. Therefore, if your NAATI credential expires before you receive an invitation, you may no longer be entitled to claim those 5 points.
Your EOI should accurately reflect your circumstances and the points you are entitled to claim. If your circumstances or the validity of your NAATI credential change while your EOI remains in SkillSelect, you should ensure your EOI remains accurate and update it where required.
Related Skilled Migration Points
NAATI community language points form only one part of your overall skilled migration points score. You may also be able to claim points for other categories, depending on your circumstances:
Calculate your full skilled migration points score on our Skilled Visa Points Test Table or book a free assessment with VisaAid.
