Some Australia visas would require you to prove that you have functional English.
To prove you have functional English, you must show 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. *British National (Overseas) passports are not acceptable as evidence of functional English.
or
- you completed a degree, a higher degree, a diploma or a trade certificate in an institution in or outside Australia that required at least two years of full-time study and all instructions were in English
or - you undertook your education at:
| Institution | Study time |
| a primary school and secondary school where all instruction was in English in or outside Australia | All years of primary and at least 3 years of secondary study |
| a secondary school in or outside Australia where all instruction was in English | At least 5 years of study |
| an institution in Australia where all instruction was in English | At least 1 year of full-time study towards an award |
| an institution in Australia where all instruction was in English | The part-time equivalent of 1 year of full-time study towards an award |
or
- in the 12 months before you applied for the visa, you scored one of the following:
| Test | Score |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training) | An average band score of at least 4.5 based on the 4 test components |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) | A total band score of at least 32 based on the 4 test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | A total band score of at least 30 based on the 4 test components |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | A total band score of at least 147 based on the 4 test components |
It is important that you check the level of English requirement for the Australia visa you are applying for.
