Head to head · Checked 30 October 2026
Competent English vs Proficient and superior English
Competent English, 6 in each IELTS component or the equivalent on the other tests, is the threshold for most skilled visas and earns no points; proficient English, 7 in each component, earns 10 points on the skilled points test; superior English, 8 in each component, earns 20. The level is set by the weakest component, so a candidate with three 8s and a 6.5 is competent, and the ten or twenty points are the difference between an invitation and none for most occupations. A primary applicant who can reach proficient sits again until they do; a partner’s competent English earns its own partner points. The scores for each test are published by the Department and change.
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney · Reviewed 30 October 2026
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - Competent
- 6 in each IELTS component, or the equivalent · The threshold for skilled visas; 0 points
- Proficient
- 7 in each IELTS component, or the equivalent · 10 points
- Superior
- 8 in each IELTS component, or the equivalent · 20 points
- Set by
- The weakest component · The weakest component
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About the CPD →Side by side
| Competent English | Proficient and superior English | |
|---|---|---|
| Competent | 6 in each IELTS component, or the equivalent | The threshold for skilled visas; 0 points |
| Proficient | 7 in each IELTS component, or the equivalent | 10 points |
| Superior | 8 in each IELTS component, or the equivalent | 20 points |
| Set by | The weakest component | The weakest component |
| Partner | A partner with competent English earns partner points | A partner’s higher score does not add more |
| Validity | The test within 3 years of the invitation for the points-tested visas | The same |
| Watch out | Competent is also the level most employer-sponsored visas need | One component short costs the whole level |
Charges are the current government application charges (from 1 July 2026, main applicant) — see the fee calculator for your family's total. Checked 30 October 2026.
The honest verdict
Competent English, 6 in each IELTS component or the equivalent on the other tests, is the threshold for most skilled visas and earns no points; proficient English, 7 in each component, earns 10 points on the skilled points test; superior English, 8 in each component, earns 20. The level is set by the weakest component, so a candidate with three 8s and a 6.5 is competent, and the ten or twenty points are the difference between an invitation and none for most occupations. A primary applicant who can reach proficient sits again until they do; a partner’s competent English earns its own partner points. The scores for each test are published by the Department and change.
Which side of that line you fall on depends on facts a table cannot hold — your age, score, occupation's lists, and what evidence you can actually assemble. That is consultation territory, not guesswork territory.
More head-to-heads: 482 vs 494 · 190 vs 491 · 189 vs 190 · 482 vs 186
General information only, not migration advice. Settings shown are the general rules; exemptions and stream variations exist. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) after a paid consultation under the Migration Agents Code of Conduct.
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Questions we get asked first
Competent English or Proficient and superior English — which is better?
Competent English, 6 in each IELTS component or the equivalent on the other tests, is the threshold for most skilled visas and earns no points; proficient English, 7 in each component, earns 10 points on the skilled points test; superior English, 8 in each component, earns 20. The level is set by the weakest component, so a candidate with three 8s and a 6.5 is competent, and the ten or twenty points are the difference between an invitation and none for most occupations. A primary applicant who can reach proficient sits again until they do; a partner’s competent English earns its own partner points. The scores for each test are published by the Department and change.
What is the main difference between the Competent English and the Proficient and superior English?
Competent: Competent English — 6 in each IELTS component, or the equivalent; Proficient and superior English — The threshold for skilled visas; 0 points. Proficient: Competent English — 7 in each IELTS component, or the equivalent; Proficient and superior English — 10 points. Superior: Competent English — 8 in each IELTS component, or the equivalent; Proficient and superior English — 20 points.
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