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English language

Functional English

​​​​​​COVID-19 and at home language tests

Some test providers offer alternative versions of their tests that you can take at home or online, such as TOEFL iBT – Special Home Edition, OET@Home and IELTS Indicator. Home Affairs does not accept any ’at-home’ or ‘online’ test for Australian migration purposes.

Tests accepted by the Department are listed in the table below. If you have questions about a particular test, you must contact the test provider.

​​To prove you have functional English, show us 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:
    InstitutionStudy 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 EnglishAt least 5 years of study
    an institution in Australia where all instruction was in EnglishAt 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:
    TestScore​
    International English Language Testing System (IELT​​S 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

Some visas will allow you to submit other forms of evidence. Check the relevant visa pages to find out.​​