Migration Overseas
Understanding the English language levels and test scores required for Australian visas.
Basic requirement for secondary applicants (dependents 18+).
You must provide evidence that you have functional English. This can be a passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland, English-medium study that meets the periods Home Affairs sets, or a test result from the 12 months before your application. Older results (tests taken on or before 6 August 2025) could be used only until 6 August 2026, so the scores below are the current ones.
| Test | Minimum Score Required |
|---|---|
| IELTS (General/Academic) | Average band score of at least 4.5 |
| PTE Academic | Overall score of at least 24 |
| CELPIP General | Overall score of at least 5 |
| TOEFL iBT | Total score of at least 26 |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | Overall score of at least 38 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Overall score of at least 38 |
| OET (Medical Professionals) | Overall score of at least 1020 (request the overall result from OET) |
The level the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) requires for most applicants.
Scores must be from a test taken within 3 years before application. These are the scores the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) asks for. Citizens who hold a valid passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland are treated as meeting this level.
| Test | Minimum Score Required |
|---|---|
| IELTS (General/Academic) | At least 5.0 for each of the 4 components (all test dates) |
| PTE Academic | L: 33, R: 36, W: 29, S: 24 (from 7 Aug 2025) At least 36 for each of the 4 components (to 6 Aug 2025) |
| CELPIP General | At least 5 for each of the 4 components (from 7 Aug 2025) |
| TOEFL iBT | L: 8, R: 8, W: 9, S: 14 (from 7 Aug 2025) L: 4, R: 4, W: 14, S: 14 (to 6 Aug 2025) |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | L: 49, R: 47, W: 45, S: 38 (from 7 Aug 2025) |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | L: 41, R: 44, W: 45, S: 54 (from 7 Aug 2025) |
| OET (Medical Professionals) | L: 220, R: 240, W: 200, S: 270 (from 7 Aug 2025) At least B in each component (to 6 Aug 2025) |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) | Not listed for tests taken from 7 Aug 2025 At least 154 in each component (to 6 Aug 2025) |
Minimum requirement for most skilled migration visas (189, 190, 491) and for the 186 visa.
Citizens who hold a valid passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland are treated as meeting this level. Otherwise, test scores from the 3 years before your application.
| Test | Minimum Score Required |
|---|---|
| IELTS (General/Academic) | At least 6.0 for each of the 4 components (all test dates) |
| PTE Academic | L: 47, R: 48, W: 51, S: 54 (from 7 Aug 2025) At least 50 for each of the 4 components (to 6 Aug 2025) |
| CELPIP General | At least 7 for each of the 4 components (from 7 Aug 2025) |
| TOEFL iBT | L: 16, R: 16, W: 19, S: 19 (from 7 Aug 2025) L: 12, R: 13, W: 21, S: 21 (to 6 Aug 2025) |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | L: 56, R: 55, W: 57, S: 48 (from 7 Aug 2025) |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | L: 57, R: 60, W: 64, S: 70 (from 7 Aug 2025) |
| OET (Medical Professionals) | L: 290, R: 310, W: 290, S: 330 (from 7 Aug 2025) At least B in each component (to 6 Aug 2025) |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) | L: 163, R: 163, W: 170, S: 179 (from 7 Aug 2025) At least 169 in each component (to 6 Aug 2025) |
High Level. Gives 10 Points in Points Test.
Required for points claiming. Test must be within 3 years.
| Test | Minimum Score Required |
|---|---|
| IELTS (General/Academic) | At least 7.0 for each of the 4 components (all test dates) |
| PTE Academic | L: 58, R: 59, W: 69, S: 76 (from 7 Aug 2025) At least 65 for each of the 4 components (to 6 Aug 2025) |
| CELPIP General | L: 9, R: 8, W: 10, S: 8 (from 7 Aug 2025) |
| TOEFL iBT | L: 22, R: 22, W: 26, S: 24 (from 7 Aug 2025) L: 24, R: 24, W: 27, S: 23 (to 6 Aug 2025) |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | L: 61, R: 63, W: 74, S: 59 (from 7 Aug 2025) |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | L: 67, R: 71, W: 78, S: 82 (from 7 Aug 2025) |
| OET (Medical Professionals) | L: 350, R: 360, W: 380, S: 360 (from 7 Aug 2025) At least B in each component (to 6 Aug 2025) |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) | L: 175, R: 179, W: 193, S: 194 (from 7 Aug 2025) At least 185 in each component (to 6 Aug 2025) |
Expert Level. Gives 20 Points in Points Test.
Highest level for maximum points claiming. Test must be within 3 years. The Michigan English Test is not listed at this level.
| Test | Minimum Score Required |
|---|---|
| IELTS (General/Academic) | At least 8.0 for each of the 4 components (all test dates) |
| PTE Academic | L: 69, R: 70, W: 85, S: 88 (from 7 Aug 2025) At least 79 for each of the 4 components (to 6 Aug 2025) |
| CELPIP General | L: 10, R: 10, W: 12, S: 10 (from 7 Aug 2025) |
| TOEFL iBT | L: 26, R: 27, W: 30, S: 28 (from 7 Aug 2025) L: 28, R: 29, W: 30, S: 26 (to 6 Aug 2025) |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | L: 80, R: 83, W: 89, S: 89 (from 7 Aug 2025) |
| OET (Medical Professionals) | L: 390, R: 400, W: 420, S: 400 (from 7 Aug 2025) At least A in each component (to 6 Aug 2025) |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) | L: 186, R: 190, W: 210, S: 208 (from 7 Aug 2025) At least 200 in each component (to 6 Aug 2025) |
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