General information, not migration advice. We explain published test scores. We can't tell you which visa you're eligible for or what you personally need. Requirements change, so always check the Department of Home Affairs website, or speak to a registered migration agent.
The five English levels at a glance
Home Affairs uses five levels. Which one you need depends on your visa.
| Level | IELTS | PTE Academic (tests from 7 Aug 2025) | How it's measured |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functional | 4.5 average | 24 overall | One overall score |
| Vocational | 5 in each skill | 33 / 36 / 29 / 24 | Minimum in each skill (L / R / W / S) |
| Competent | 6 in each skill | 47 / 48 / 51 / 54 | Minimum in each skill |
| Proficient | 7 in each skill | 58 / 59 / 69 / 76 | Minimum in each skill |
| Superior | 8 in each skill | 69 / 70 / 85 / 88 | Minimum in each skill |
Scores for every other test: Functional English, Vocational English, and Competent to Superior below.
Choose your test
- Most popularPTE AcademicFully computer-based, results usually within daysPTE guides and practice
- IELTS Academic & GeneralFace-to-face speaking test with an examinerIELTS guides
- Health workersOETHealthcare English for 12 professionsOET guides
- TOEFL iBTNew score scale from January 2026TOEFL guide
- Cambridge C1 AdvancedPaired speaking test, detailed scale scoresC1 Advanced guide
- CELPIP GeneralComputer-based Canadian test, one sittingCELPIP guide
Competent, Proficient and Superior: tests from 7 August 2025
You need at least these scores in each of the four components. Listening / Reading / Writing / Speaking.
| Test | Competent | Proficient | Superior |
|---|---|---|---|
| PTE Academic | 47 / 48 / 51 / 54 | 58 / 59 / 69 / 76 | 69 / 70 / 85 / 88 |
| IELTS (Academic or General Training) | 6 / 6 / 6 / 6 | 7 / 7 / 7 / 7 | 8 / 8 / 8 / 8 |
| OET | 290 / 310 / 290 / 330 | 350 / 360 / 380 / 360 | 390 / 400 / 420 / 400 |
| TOEFL iBT | 16 / 16 / 19 / 19 | 22 / 22 / 26 / 24 | 26 / 27 / 30 / 28 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 163 / 163 / 170 / 179 | 175 / 179 / 193 / 194 | 186 / 190 / 210 / 208 |
| CELPIP General | 7 / 7 / 7 / 7 | 9 / 8 / 10 / 8 | 10 / 10 / 12 / 10 |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | 56 / 55 / 57 / 48 | 61 / 63 / 74 / 59 | not listed |
| LanguageCert Academic | 57 / 60 / 64 / 70 | 67 / 71 / 78 / 82 | 80 / 83 / 89 / 89 |
Use our score checker to compare PTE scores skill by skill, or the PTE ↔ IELTS converter for study and work requirements that ask for IELTS.
Tests taken on or before 6 August 2025
Older results follow a different table. For example, PTE Academic needed 50 / 65 / 79 in each skill for Competent / Proficient / Superior, and OET used letter grades (B for Competent and Proficient, A for Superior). See old vs new PTE scores and the official pages for every test.
How to choose
| If you… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Want fast results and like computers | PTE Academic |
| Prefer talking to a real person | IELTS or Cambridge C1 Advanced |
| Work in healthcare and need registration too | OET |
| Want one sitting on a computer, with everyday topics | CELPIP General |
| Already took TOEFL for study | TOEFL iBT, registered "for Australia" |
Professional bodies (such as nursing or medical boards) and universities set their own requirements, which can differ from Home Affairs. Always check with the organisation you're applying to.
Official sources
Competent English · Proficient English · Superior English, Department of Home Affairs.
Frequently asked questions
Which English test is easiest for an Australian visa?
No test is officially easier. Each tests the same skills differently. Choose the format that suits you: computer-based and fast (PTE), face-to-face speaking (IELTS, Cambridge), or health-specific (OET). Try a free sample of each before you book.
Does Home Affairs accept online or at-home English tests?
No. Home Affairs says it doesn't accept tests delivered fully online or at home, such as IELTS Online, OET@Home, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, CELPIP Online and LanguageCert Academic Online.
How long are English test results valid for an Australian visa?
Generally, the test must be taken in the 3 years before your visa application, depending on the visa. Results from tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 may be used until 6 August 2028, depending on the visa. Check your visa's own page.
Do I need the score in every skill or just overall?
It depends on the level. Functional English uses an overall score (for example, IELTS 4.5 average or PTE 24 overall). Vocational, Competent, Proficient and Superior English need a minimum score in each of the four components.
What is Functional English in IELTS?
An average band score of at least 4.5 across the four components. It's the lowest of the five levels. IELTS 5 in each component is Vocational English.