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    English language

    Functional English

    On 7 August 2025, the English language tests approved for Australian visa purposes changed. If you took a test before this date, your result may still be valid as proof of functional English for up to 12 months, depending on the visa subclass.

    To prove you have functional English, show us evidence of one of the following:

    • You are a citizen of, and hold a valid passport issued by, one of the following countries:
      • Canada
      • New Zealand
      • The Republic of Ireland
      • The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
      • The United States of America.
    • You completed a degree, a higher degree, a diploma or a trade certificate in an institution in or outside Australia that required at least 2 years of full-time study or training, and all instructions were in English.
    • You completed education at the institutions for the study times set out at Table 1.
    • You achieved one of the test scores in Table 2 or Table 3 in the 12 months before your visa application.
    Table 1 - Functional English education institutions and study time
    Educational institutionsStudy time
    A primary school and secondary school, in or outside Australia, where all instruction was in EnglishAll years of primary and at least 3 years of secondary education
    A secondary school, in or outside Australia, where all instruction was in EnglishAt least 5 years of secondary education
    An institution in Australia, where all instruction was in English, towards one of the following awards:
    • a degree
    • a higher degree
    • a diploma
    • an associate diploma.
    • At least 1 year of full-time study towards an award, or
    • The part-time equivalent of 1 year of full-time study towards an award
    ​
    ​ ​
    ​Table 2 - Functional English approved tests and scores taken on or after 7 August 2025​
    Test​Scores
    Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General)An overall band score of at least 5
    International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic)

    The department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake​ (OSR) for eligible visas. To find out if you are eligible, check the relevant visa page​.    		An average band score of at least 4.5
    International English Language Testing System (IELTS General Training)

    The department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake​ (OSR) for eligible visas. To find out if you are eligible, check the relevant visa page​.    		An average band score of at least 4.5
    Michigan English Test (MET)

    The department accepts MET test results that include Single Section Retake​ (SSR) for eligible visas. To find out if you are eligible, check the relevant visa page.    		An overall band score of at least 38           
    Occupational English Test (OET)

    This test is developed for health professionals. The OET scoring format was previously alphabetical and changed to numerical on 7 August 2025.

    OET does not currently provide overall test results on test score reports. However, you can get your overall OET score results by contacting OET.    		An overall band score of at least 1020

    LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUAGECERT Academic)​​​

    		An overall band score of at least 38
    Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)

    PTE Academic has the same name as the previous version of the test that was accepted before 7 August 2025.

    However, the test and scores are different.    		An overall band score of at least 24
    Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)

    From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT test was not approved for Australian visa purposes.
    		A total score of at least 26

    ​ ​
    Table 3 - Functional English approved tests and scores taken on or before 6 August 2025*
    Test​Scores
    Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced) 

    Previously known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)​

    From 12 February 2024 to 6 August 2025, the department will only accept results from the Cambridge C1 Advanced paper-based test.

    The department will still accept tests taken before 12 February 2024 and within specified validity periods, for C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests.    		A total band score of at least 147                  
    International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training)​​​

    From 14 December 2022, the department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake​ (OSR) for eligible visas. To find out if you are eligible, check the relevant visa page.    		An average band score of at least 4.5

    Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)​

    PTE Academic has the same name as the test available from 7 August 2025, however, the test and scores are different.

    		A total band score of at least 30
    Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) 

    From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT test was not approved for Australian visa purposes.    		A total band score of at least 32
    * ​Test results from a test taken on or before 6 August 2025, may be used as evidence of English proficiency for visa purposes until 6 August 2026, inclusive. This will depend on the visa.​

    Some visas will allow you to submit other forms of evidence. To find out, check the relevant visa pages.

    Online test restrictions

    The department does not accept evidence from English language tests that are delivered completely online (also known as ‘remote-proctored’ or ‘at-home’).

    Examples of online tests that we do not accept for Australian visa purposes include:

    • IELTS Online
    • LANGUAGECERT Academic Online
    • OET@Home
    • CELPIP Online
    • MET Digital (taken at-home)
    • TOEFL iBT - Home Edition
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