Most Australia skilled visas such as visa 189, visa 190, visa 489 and visa 491 will require you have at least competent English.
To prove you have competent English, provide evidence:
- that you are a citizen of and hold a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom*, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland, with your application. *British National (Overseas) passports are not acceptable as evidence of competent English.
or
- you have an obtained one of the following English language test results:
Specified test results
| Test | Required score |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training) | At least 6 for each of the 4 components |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) | At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | At least 50 for each of the 4 components |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | At least B for each of the 4 components |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced test | At least 169 in each of the 4 components |
When to provide proof
When you must have taken your test and how long the test result is valid
| Subclass | Applicant | When to provide | Validity |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) | Main/primary | By time of application | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
| Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) – Temporary Residence Transition Stream | Main/primary | By time of application | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
| Business Innovation and Investment (provisional) subclass 188) (Entrepreneur stream) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189)(Points tested stream) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Regional (provisional) (subclass 489)(first provisional stream) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Work Regional (provisional) (subclass 491) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) | Main/Primary | By time of application | The test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
For the subclasses 189, 190, 489 and 491 if you are claiming partner points then your partner must also have Competent English at time of invitation.
