Competent English

​What to provide

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

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.

*​​ Any changes to the scores will only be made after careful consideration. Where scores change, a warning notice will be put on this website with information on how it may impact you.