Functional English proficiency

Functional English proficiency can be demonstrated if the applicant can provide evidence of:

  • having completed all years of primary education and at least 3 years of secondary education at educational institutions in which all instruction was conducted in English; or
  • having completed at least 5 years of secondary education at institutions in which all instruction was conducted in English; or
  • having achieved an IELTS average band score of at least 4.5, based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening in a test conducted:

– not more than 12 months before lodging the relevant application to migrate; or
– at the time of the processing of the relevant application to migrate; or

  • having successfully completed, in Australia, at least 1 year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study towards a degree, higher degree, diploma, or associate diploma, at an institution or institutions where all the instruction was conducted in English.
  • having achieved a Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) total band score of at least 32, based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening in a test conducted:

– not more than 12 months before lodging the relevant application to migrate; or
– at the time of the processing of the relevant application to migrate; or

  • having achieved a Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) overall band score of at least 30, based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening in a test conducted:

– not more than 12 months before lodging the relevant application to migrate; or
– at the time of the processing of the relevant application to migrate; or

  • having achieved a Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) overall score of at least 147 based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening in a test conducted

– not more than 12 months before lodging the relevant application to migrate; or
– at the time of the processing of the relevant application to migrate; or

  • holding valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland, to a citizen of that country.

The change from the previous instrument is the addition of the Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) test.
This instrument commences on 1 January 2015 and revokes IMMI 14/055 (F2014L01551) signed on 12 November 2014.