FAQs on English Proficiency and Assessment for Australian Visas
English assessment is required to determine eligibility for certain permanent visas, assess liability to pay the second instalment of the visa application charge (VAC), and eligibility for certain temporary visas.
The levels of English proficiency are:
Functional English
Vocational English
Competent English
Proficient English
Superior English
Functional English is the basic level of English proficiency required for certain visas to determine whether a visa applicant has to pay the second instalment of the VAC. Applicants who do not have functional English must pay the second VAC to be granted the visa.
Vocational English is a higher level of proficiency than functional English. It is required for points-tested skilled visas and other relevant visa subclasses. Applicants must provide the results of an approved English language test conducted within three years prior to the visa application.
Competent English is required for points-tested skilled visas and other relevant visa subclasses. Applicants must provide the results of an approved English language test conducted within three years prior to the visa application.
Proficient English applies only to points-tested skilled visas. Applicants must provide the results of an approved English language test conducted within three years prior to the invitation to apply for a points-tested skilled visa.
Superior English applies only to points-tested skilled visas. Applicants must provide the results of an approved English language test conducted within three years prior to the invitation to apply for a points-tested skilled visa.
The approved English language tests are:
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Occupational English Test (OET)
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT)
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
No, visa applicants with hearing or other impairments are not exempt from any regulatory requirement to have a certain level of English proficiency.
To ensure that an applicant’s English language proficiency is current, visa applicants must provide the results of a test undertaken within the prescribed validity period, which is generally three years.
No, there is no discretion to waive the requirement to undergo a prescribed English language test or to make an independent determination of the English proficiency of visa applicants.