English is one of the few parts of your points score you can still change. You can't change your age, and work experience takes years. A better English test result can add 10 or 20 points in a single test date. This page shows how many points each English level is worth, the exact test scores Home Affairs accepts for each level, and the rules that catch people out.
For English rules on other visa types (students, working holiday, employer-sponsored), see our English language requirements guide.
Quick Facts
| Item | Detail (checked 28 October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Competent English | 0 points. The minimum to be invited for the 189 or 190 |
| Proficient English | 10 points: IELTS 7 in each band, or equivalent |
| Superior English | 20 points: IELTS 8 in each band, or equivalent |
| Pass mark | 65 points for the 189, 190 and 491 |
| When points count | At the time of invitation |
| Test age | Taken in the 3 years before your visa application, depending on the visa subclass |
| Test change | Approved tests and scores changed on 7 August 2025 |
| Online tests | Not accepted (for example IELTS Online, TOEFL iBT Home Edition) |
The English points ladder
The subclass 189 points table gives these points for English:
| English level | Points |
|---|---|
| Competent English | 0 |
| Proficient English | 10 |
| Superior English | 20 |
So moving from Competent to Proficient adds 10 points, and moving from Competent to Superior adds 20. For many people that is the biggest change they can still make. The pass mark is 65: Home Affairs says, "You must be able to obtain at least 65 points on our points test to be eligible for this visa." The 190 and 491 also need 65 points, and their own points tables add points for nomination: 5 for the 190, and 15 for the 491, for state or territory nomination or family sponsorship.
Competent English is the floor, not a points claim. For the 189, Home Affairs says: "At the time of invitation, you must have at least competent English." The 190 page says the same. Competent English gets you in the door, but it scores 0 points.
Proficient and Superior English: the test scores
Home Affairs states the scores for each of the 4 test components (listening, reading, writing and speaking). You need at least the listed score in every component. A high overall score does not make up for one low component.
In short, Proficient English means at least 7 in each IELTS band, or PTE Academic scores of 58 listening, 59 reading, 69 writing and 76 speaking (for PTE tests taken from 7 August 2025). Superior English means at least 8 in each IELTS band, or PTE Academic scores of 69 listening, 70 reading, 85 writing and 88 speaking (for PTE tests taken from 7 August 2025).
Tests taken on or after 7 August 2025
Scores below are listening / reading / writing / speaking, from Table 1 on the Home Affairs Proficient English and Superior English pages (pages last updated 21 September 2026; checked 28 October 2026).
| Test | Proficient English (10 points) | Superior English (20 points) |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training | 7 / 7 / 7 / 7 | 8 / 8 / 8 / 8 |
| PTE Academic | 58 / 59 / 69 / 76 | 69 / 70 / 85 / 88 |
| TOEFL iBT | 22 / 22 / 26 / 24 | 26 / 27 / 30 / 28 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 175 / 179 / 193 / 194 | 186 / 190 / 210 / 208 |
| CELPIP General | 9 / 8 / 10 / 8 | 10 / 10 / 12 / 10 |
| OET | 350 / 360 / 380 / 360 | 390 / 400 / 420 / 400 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 67 / 71 / 78 / 82 | 80 / 83 / 89 / 89 |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | 61 / 63 / 74 / 59 | Not listed for Superior English |
Points to notice:
- PTE Academic changed. Home Affairs says: "PTE Academic has the same name as the previous version of the test that was accepted before 7 August 2025. However, the test and scores are different." The new PTE scores are not the same in every component.
- MET is only listed for Proficient English. On the Superior English page, Table 1 does not list the Michigan English Test.
- TOEFL iBT needs the right registration. Home Affairs says you "must select 'Taking TOEFL for Australia' when registering for your test", and results not registered that way "are not eligible for Australian visa purposes."
- OET changed to numbers. OET scores were letters before and "changed to numerical on 7 August 2025."
- Retakes. Home Affairs accepts IELTS results that include One Skill Retake, and MET results that include a Single Section Retake, "for eligible visas". Check the visa page to see if yours is one.
Tests taken on or before 6 August 2025
Older results use the old score table (Table 2). Home Affairs says a test taken on or before 6 August 2025 "may be used as evidence of English proficiency for visa purposes until 6 August 2028, inclusive. This will depend on the visa."
| Test (taken on or before 6 August 2025) | Proficient English (10 points) | Superior English (20 points) |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or General Training | 7 in each component | 8 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 65 in each component | 79 in each component |
| TOEFL iBT | 24 / 24 / 27 / 23 | 28 / 29 / 30 / 26 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 185 in each component | 200 in each component |
| OET | B in each component | A in each component |
Scores are listening / reading / writing / speaking where they differ. Checked 28 October 2026.
Competent English: the minimum
Competent English scores 0 points, but you still need it. On the Home Affairs Competent English page (checked 28 October 2026):
- IELTS: at least 6 in each of the 4 components.
- PTE Academic (tests taken from 7 August 2025): at least 47 listening, 48 reading, 51 writing and 54 speaking.
For other tests, check the official Competent English page.
Passport holders: Home Affairs accepts a valid passport from some countries, for example the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada, as proof of Competent English. That proves Competent English only, worth 0 points. For Proficient or Superior English, the Home Affairs pages ask for one of the test scores in the tables above. They add that "Some visas will allow you to submit other forms of evidence", so check your visa's page before you rely on anything other than a test.
When your test result must be valid
Two dates matter.
- The invitation. The 189 points-tested page says you must "satisfy most criteria specified in the points test at the time of invitation". Your English points are assessed then.
- The visa application. The Proficient and Superior English pages say to show a test score achieved "in the 3 years before your visa application, depending on the visa subclass."
So check your test date against both. If your result is close to its expiry date, a delay between invitation and application could cause problems. Plan a retest early if you need one.
Online tests are not accepted
Home Affairs says it does "not accept evidence from English language tests that are delivered completely online (also known as 'remote-proctored' or 'at-home')". Its examples:
- CELPIP Online
- IELTS Online
- LANGUAGECERT Academic Online
- MET Digital (taken at-home)
- OET@Home
- TOEFL iBT Home Edition
Book a test at a test centre.
Your partner's English can add points too
The points table also gives points for your partner, in a separate "Partner skills" item:
| Your situation | Points |
|---|---|
| You are single, or your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident | 10 |
| Your partner applies for the same visa, is under 45, has Competent English, a skilled occupation on the same list as yours, and a suitable skills assessment (not one for a subclass 485) | 10 |
| Your partner applies for the same visa and has Competent English (and isn't an Australian citizen or permanent resident) | 5 |
For the 5 points, your partner only needs Competent English (IELTS 6 in each component). They don't need Proficient or Superior. Our partner skills points guide explains the details.
How much difference 10 or 20 points makes (hypothetical example)
Here is a made-up example, using the points table:
| Points item | Points |
|---|---|
| Age 34 (at least 33 but less than 40) | 25 |
| Bachelor degree | 15 |
| 5 years of overseas skilled work | 10 |
| Single | 10 |
| Subtotal before English | 60 |
| With Competent English (+0) | 60: below the 65 pass mark |
| With Proficient English (+10) | 70 |
| With Superior English (+20) | 80 |
In this example, Competent English leaves the person 5 points short of 65 for the 189. Proficient English takes them over the pass mark. Superior English adds 10 more. SkillSelect ranks people against each other, so a higher score can help too: Home Affairs says, "After you have submitted an EOI, you will be ranked against other intending applicants and might be invited to apply for the visa."
To work out your own score, use our points calculator. For other ways to add points, see how to maximise your points score.
Key Takeaways
- Competent English = 0 points, Proficient = 10, Superior = 20.
- You need the minimum score in all 4 components, not just overall.
- The approved tests and scores changed on 7 August 2025. IELTS stays at 7 (Proficient) and 8 (Superior), but PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge and OET scores changed.
- Older tests (on or before 6 August 2025) may be used until 6 August 2028, depending on the visa.
- Online and at-home tests are not accepted.
- A passport can prove Competent English (0 points). For 10 or 20 points, Home Affairs lists test scores as the evidence.
- Your partner's Competent English can add 5 points.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points is Proficient English?
Proficient English is worth 10 points on the skilled points test. For tests taken from 7 August 2025, that means at least 7 in each IELTS component, or PTE Academic scores of at least 58 listening, 59 reading, 69 writing and 76 speaking.
How many points is Superior English?
Superior English is worth 20 points. It means at least 8 in each IELTS component, or PTE Academic scores of at least 69 listening, 70 reading, 85 writing and 88 speaking for tests taken from 7 August 2025.
How many points do I get for Competent English?
None. Competent English scores 0 points. It is still required: for the 189 and 190, you must have at least Competent English at the time of invitation.
What PTE score do I need for 20 points?
For a PTE Academic test taken from 7 August 2025, you need at least 69 in listening, 70 in reading, 85 in writing and 88 in speaking. For a PTE test taken on or before 6 August 2025, the old standard was 79 in each component.
Is the PTE score for Proficient English still 65?
Only for PTE tests taken on or before 6 August 2025. For tests taken from 7 August 2025, Home Affairs lists 58 listening, 59 reading, 69 writing and 76 speaking. The test kept the same name, but the scores are different.
How long is an English test valid for skilled visa points?
Home Affairs asks for a score achieved in the 3 years before your visa application, depending on the visa subclass. Tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 may be used until 6 August 2028, depending on the visa. Your points are assessed at the time of invitation, so check both dates.
Can I get English points with a UK or Canadian passport?
A valid passport from countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada proves Competent English, which is worth 0 points. For 10 or 20 points, Home Affairs lists test scores as the evidence. It says some visas allow other forms of evidence, so check your visa's page.
Does an IELTS Online test count for skilled visa points?
No. Home Affairs does not accept English tests delivered completely online or at home. IELTS Online is one of its examples.
Can my partner's English give me points?
Yes. If your partner applies for the same visa with you and has Competent English, you can claim 5 points. If they also meet the age, occupation and skills assessment rules, you can claim 10.
