English language levels
Australian visa English requirements
Turn your IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET or Cambridge score into the English levels Australia uses — Competent, Proficient and Superior — and see how many points each one scores on the skilled migration points test.
English levels by test
The minimum score in each of the four components — listening, reading, writing and speaking — required for each level, for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. Where a single number is shown, the same score is needed in every component; otherwise the order is listening / reading / writing / speaking.
| Test | Competent English0 points | Proficient English10 points | Superior English20 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 6 each | 7 each | 8 each |
| PTE Academic | 47 / 48 / 51 / 54 | 58 / 59 / 69 / 76 | 69 / 70 / 85 / 88 |
| TOEFL iBT | 16 / 16 / 19 / 19 | 22 / 22 / 26 / 24 | 26 / 27 / 30 / 28 |
| OET | 290 / 310 / 290 / 330 | 350 / 360 / 380 / 360 | 390 / 400 / 420 / 400 |
| Cambridge C1 | 163 / 163 / 170 / 179 | 175 / 179 / 193 / 194 | 186 / 190 / 210 / 208 |
Source: Department of Home Affairs — English language requirements. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
How English levels work
Australia describes English ability in named levels rather than raw test scores. The three that matter for the General Skilled Migration points test are Competent, Proficient and Superior. Competent English is the entry threshold — you need it to apply for a subclass 189, 190 or 491 visa, but it scores no points. Proficient English adds 10 points and Superior English adds 20. For most applicants those 10 or 20 points are the difference between an invitation and a long wait, which is why lifting a single component score can matter so much. You can see how they feed into your total on the points calculator.
Every level is assessed on your lowest component. A profile of 8, 8, 8 and 7 is Proficient, not Superior — the single 7 pulls the whole result down. Your test result generally has to have been achieved within the 3 years before you apply.
Functional and Vocational English
Below Competent sit two further levels. Functional English is the low bar for many family and partner visas; failing to prove it triggers a second instalment of the visa application charge. Vocational English is the minimum for the Skilled in Demand (subclass 482) visa and some employer-sponsored streams. Functional English can be met without a test — for example by holding a passport from Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States, or by completing at least two years of full-time study taught in English.
The 7 August 2025 changes
On 7 August 2025 the Department replaced the approved tests and their required scores. IELTS band requirements were unchanged, but PTE Academic was rebuilt with new per-component scores, OET moved from letter grades to a 0–500 numerical scale, and Cambridge C1 Advanced is now scored per component. Results from tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 remain valid transitionally — until 6 August 2028 for the points-test levels, but only until 6 August 2026 for Functional English.
Legacy scores (tests on or before 6 August 2025)
The well-known mapping still applies to tests sat on or before 6 August 2025, which remain usable until 6 August 2028 for these levels. IELTS is identical to the current table.
| Test | Competent0 points | Proficient10 points | Superior20 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 6 each | 7 each | 8 each |
| PTE Academic | 50 each | 65 each | 79 each |
| TOEFL iBT | 12 / 13 / 21 / 21 | 24 / 24 / 27 / 23 | 28 / 29 / 30 / 26 |
| OET | B each | B each | A each |
| Cambridge C1 | 169 overall | 185 overall | 200 overall |
TOEFL iBT order is listening / reading / writing / speaking. Legacy OET used A / B / C grades. Cambridge C1 used a single overall score.
Frequently asked questions
What English level do I need for an Australian skilled visa?
You need at least Competent English to apply for a skilled visa (subclass 189, 190 or 491). Competent English scores no points but is the minimum threshold. Proficient English adds 10 points and Superior English adds 20 points on the Skilled Migration points test.
What IELTS score is Competent, Proficient and Superior English?
Competent English is IELTS 6 in each of the four components, Proficient English is IELTS 7 in each, and Superior English is IELTS 8 in each. IELTS band requirements did not change on 7 August 2025.
Did the English test scores change in 2025?
Yes. From 7 August 2025 the Department of Home Affairs rebuilt the approved tests and their required scores. IELTS bands were unchanged, but PTE Academic, OET and Cambridge C1 Advanced all changed — PTE moved from a flat 50 / 65 / 79 to different per-component scores, and OET moved from A / B / C grades to a 0–500 numerical scale. This tool uses the current scores, for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025.
How long is an English test result valid?
For skilled visas, your test result generally must have been achieved in the 3 years before you apply. Results from tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 remain usable transitionally — for Competent, Proficient, Superior and Vocational English until 6 August 2028, but for Functional English only until 6 August 2026.
How can I meet Functional English without sitting a test?
Functional English can be met without a test in several ways: by holding a valid passport as a citizen of Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States; by completing a degree, diploma or trade qualification that took at least two years of full-time study taught in English; or by completing certain schooling in English. These routes apply to Functional English, which is below the skilled-visa levels.
Is this tool official?
No. It mirrors the English level score tables published by the Department of Home Affairs. It is factual reference material, not migration advice. Confirm your English level with the Department or a registered migration agent, and check that your test and its date are accepted for your visa.
Official resources
Source: Department of Home Affairs. Retrieved 20 July 2026.