English Language

What are the English language requirements?

The the ability to use the English language is essential when migrating to Australia.

To demonstrate 'vocational' English language ability you must achieve a band score of at least five on all four components of the test - speaking, reading, listening, and writing.

When English forms part of your skills assessment

A higher level of English is required for certain occupations where it forms part of the skills assessment. You can find out if your occupation requires a higher level of English by contacting the assessing authority for your nominated occupation. Contact details for assessing bodies are available at the end of the Skilled Occupation List.

Evidence of English language ability

Under policy overseas students who are not native born English speakers will need to submit results from an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test undertaken within 12 months of lodging their GSM application to evidence their English language ability.

A native born English language speaker is a person whose first spoken language is English and who is the holder of a passport of the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, New Zealand, United States of America (USA) or the Republic of Ireland. Notwithstanding these policy exemptions, under legislation it is still open to a case officer assessing an application to request an applicant to undertake an IELTS test if they have doubts about an applicant's English language ability or the test results provided.

To ensure that your application is complete when you apply, and facilitate faster processing of your application, you are advised to include sufficient evidence of your English language ability with your application. When forwarding results from your International English Language Testing System test, a certified copy of your results is acceptable.

Further information on International English Language Testing System testing is available on the International English Language Testing System website.