Applications lodged for certain visas (not including subclass 457 visas at this stage) on or after the 23 November 2014 will be able to use a number of new tests to evidence their English proficiency. These new tests are:

• TOEFL iBT, and
• Pearson (PTE Academic)

There are currently 5 main language proficiency ‘levels’ that the Department of Immigration generally uses to establish a visa applicant’s proficiency. These are Functional, Vocational, Competent, Proficient and Superior. The test results requirement for these levels has been amended to the following: Functional English (As this is quite long, please see here for the information on Functional English requirements) Vocational English

• IELTS – 5 in each of the four sections OET – B in each of the four sections
• TOEFL iBT – Speaking 14, Reading 4, Writing 14, Listening 4
• Pearson (PTE Academic) – 36 for the four components OR
• a 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

Competent English

• IELTS – 6 in each of the four sections
• OET – B for each of the four components
• TOEFL iBT – Speaking 18, Reading 13, Writing 21, Listening 12
• Pearson (PTE Academic) – at least 50 for the four components
• OR a 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

Proficient English

• IELTS – 7 in each of the four sections
• OET – B for each of the four components
• TOEFL iBT – Speaking 23, Reading 24, Writing 27, Listening 24
• Pearson (PTE Academic) – at least 65 for the four components

Superior English

• IELTS – 8 in each of the four sections
• OET – A for each of the four components
• TOEFL iBT – Speaking 26, Reading 29, Writing 30, Listening 28
• Pearson (PTE Academic) – at least 79 for the four test components