English Ability Levels
Applicants are assessed as having Functional, Vocational, Competent, Proficient, or Superior English. The lowest score across all test components determines your English ability.
Key Minimum Test Scores (from 7 August 2025)
- Superior English: IELTS 8.0 in each band | PTE 79 | TOEFL 26–30 | OET 390+
- Proficient English: IELTS 7.0 in each band | PTE 65 | TOEFL 23–27 | OET 350+
- Competent English: IELTS 6.0 in each band | PTE 50 | TOEFL 12–21 | OET 290+
- Vocational English: IELTS 5.0 in each band | PTE 36 | TOEFL 8–14 | OET 220+
- Functional English: IELTS average 5 | PTE 36 | TOEFL 4-14
At-home/online English tests are not accepted.
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
You must achieve at least:
- IELTS (Academic or General):Overall 5 average, with 5.5 in each band
- PTE Academic:Overall 55, with at least 40 Listening | 42 Reading | 41 Writing | 39 Speaking
- TOEFL iBT:Total 81, with at least 12 Listening | 12 Reading | 14 Writing | 17 Speaking
- OET:Total 1310, with at least 260 Listening | 280 Reading | 260 Writing | 310 Speaking
Hong Kong & British Nationals (Overseas) Passport Holders
Lower scores are accepted:
- IELTS:Overall 0 average, with 5.0 in each band
- PTE Academic:Overall 50, with minimums around 33–36 in each skill
- TOEFL iBT:Total 67, with at least 8–14 in each skill
- OET:Total 1210, with at least 220–270 in each component
How It Works
- You must achieve the minimum score in each test
- component(listening, reading, writing, speaking).
- If one skill is lower, your English level is determined by that lowest score
Example: IELTS scores of L 7.0, R 6.5, W 7.0, S 6.5 = Competent English (not Proficient)
