So, you're planning on coming to Australia or staying on with a new visa like a Temporary Graduate visa. What are the current English language requirements for 2024?
***Let me first preface this post with the following statement: YOU will need to check the eligibility page for the visa subclass you wish to apply for, to see what level of English you need and what evidence you must provide.***
Here is a list of English proficiency tests are accepted by the Australia Department of Home Affairs, as of February 2024: SOURCE: English language visa requirements (homeaffairs.gov.au)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS), including One Skill Retake (OSR)
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
Cambridge English (CAE) (also known as C1 Advanced)
Occupational English Test (OET), noting this is a test developed for health professionals
Now this list is neither surprising nor is it very interesting BUT it's incredibly important to note:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) CANNOT be used for Australian visa and migration purposes
Recognised graduate visa (subclass 476), Temporary skill shortage visa (subclass 482) and Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) require IELTS results from ONE sitting. What does this mean? OSR, or the One Skill Retake is NOT accepted for these visa applications. Most other visa types accept OSR.
Cambridge English (Advanced CAE), now known as Cambridge C1 Advanced, previously offered both computer- and paper-based tests for Australian visa and migration purposes. As of Feb 2024, only PAPER-based Cambridge C1 Advanced results are accepted by the Department of Home Affairs.
The Department of Home Affairs does NOT accept the following 'at home' or 'online' tests for Australian migration purposes: OET@Home, PTE Academic Online, IELTS Online (General and Academic) and IELTS Indicator.
Head to English language visa requirements (homeaffairs.gov.au)to read all about these points that I have mentioned.
Now what's in store for Australia? How many permanent migrants are set to come to Australia in 2024? Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/migration-program-planning-levels
All up: 190 000 places - split into two streams: skilled (137 100 places) and family (52 500 places)
How many international students were there in Australia in 2023? Was there an increase or a decrease in new international student arrivals? Source: https://www.education.gov.au/international-education-data-and-research/international-student-numbers-country-state-and-territory and https://www.education.gov.au/international-education-data-and-research/student-visa-arrivals
Australia had a whopping 967 334 enrolled international students in 2023 and this was a huge jump when compared to 2022's 734 146 enrolled international students. What does this all mean? How does it relate to you, me and IELTS/PTE Academic?
This all means that now, more than ever, proof of English competence via English proficiency tests like IELTS and PTE Academic are going to be more important than ever.
If you are planning on applying for any type of Australian visa, you're going to need proof of English competence. Get a head start by obtaining this proof EARLY. Start preparing and get these tests done so you can move on and focus on all the other aspects of moving to Australia.
Let me know which visa you're planning on applying for and which one the tests you're most likely to do:
Are you planning on applying for
0%a student visa
0%a temporary visa
0%a permanent visa
You can vote for more than one answer.
Which test are you most likely to sit for as proof of English competence for your visa application?
I plan on taking
0%IELTS Academic
0%IELTS General Training
0%PTE Academic
0%Cambridge C1 Advanced (paper)
You can vote for more than one answer.
Thanks heaps for reading and for sharing your choices!
Love,
Reena
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