Skilled migration · English
English requirements for Australian skilled migration
English is a threshold requirement and a points lever for Australia's skilled visas. You must reach Competent English just to be eligible — and because higher English is worth up to 20 points, it is often the fastest way to turn a borderline score into a competitive one. Here is exactly what each level means.
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney · Reviewed July 2026
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - Minimum to be eligible
- Competent (IELTS 6.0)
- Proficient (IELTS 7.0)
- +10 points
- Superior (IELTS 8.0)
- +20 points
- Test validity
- 3 years
MARN 1576536 · Verifiable at mara.gov.au
The three English levels
| Level | IELTS (each band) | PTE Academic | OET | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Competent | 6.0 | 50 | B | 0 (minimum to be eligible) |
| Proficient | 7.0 | 65 | B | 10 |
| Superior | 8.0 | 79 | A | 20 |
TOEFL iBT and Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) are also accepted, with their own equivalent scores for each level. You must meet the score in all four skills — listening, reading, writing and speaking — and the test result must be current (generally within three years) when you are invited or apply.
Which visas need what
- Subclass 189 / 190 / 491 (points-tested): Competent English to be eligible; claim 10 or 20 points for Proficient or Superior.
- Subclass 482 Skills in Demand: generally Competent English, with concessions/exemptions by stream and passport.
- Subclass 186 (Direct Entry): Competent English.
Passport exemptions — and their catch
Passport holders of the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand are taken to meet Competent English without a test, so they clear the eligibility threshold. But to claim points for Proficient (10) or Superior (20) English, even native speakers must sit an accepted test and hit the score. If your score depends on English points, your passport alone won't get you there.
Not sure your English gets you over the line?
Tell us your occupation, test scores and target visa, and we'll come back to you on whether your points are competitive — and the quickest way to lift them. Free, no obligation.
Questions we get asked first
What English level do I need for Australian skilled migration?
For the points-tested skilled visas (Subclass 189, 190, 491) you need at least Competent English to be eligible — that is an IELTS 6.0 in each band, or the equivalent in another accepted test. Competent English scores zero points; you claim points only for higher levels: Proficient English (IELTS 7 each band) is worth 10 points and Superior English (IELTS 8 each band) is worth 20 points. Because English is often the fastest points to gain, lifting your test result is one of the most common ways to become competitive.
Which English tests does the Department accept?
The Department of Home Affairs accepts IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, and Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE). All four skill areas — listening, reading, writing and speaking — must meet the required score, and the test must be current (generally taken within three years before you are invited or apply). Each test has its own equivalent scores for Competent, Proficient and Superior English; check the current published equivalents before you book.
Do native English speakers still need an English test?
Passport holders of the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand are taken to meet Competent English without sitting a test — so they satisfy the eligibility threshold. But to claim points for Proficient (10) or Superior (20) English, even native speakers must sit an accepted test and achieve the required score. If you want those extra points, you cannot rely on your passport alone.
How many points is English worth?
Competent English = 0 points (but it is the minimum to be eligible). Proficient English = 10 points. Superior English = 20 points. Superior English is often the single biggest and fastest points lever available — for many applicants, moving from Proficient to Superior is what makes a competitive 189 or 190 score.
What English do employer-sponsored (482 / 186) visas need?
The Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa generally requires Competent English (IELTS 6 each band, or equivalent), with some concessions and exemptions depending on the stream and passport. The Subclass 186 Direct Entry stream also requires Competent English. These are threshold requirements rather than points — but the exact requirement depends on your occupation, stream and circumstances, which is what a personalised assessment confirms.
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