IELTS for Australia

Work in Australia

If you wish to work in Australia, the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection will require that you demonstrate your English abilities as part of your visa application.  

Australian work visas include:  

• Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482) - Also called the TSS visa, this is for skilled workers sponsored by an Australian employer to fill specific roles. You can live in Australia for a short term (up to 2 years) or the medium term (up to 4 years). 
• Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) - This visa is permanent and doesn't require an employer or family member to sponsor you. Instead, it's based on a points system and needs you to meet occupation and other requirements. 
• Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) - This is a permanent visa. It lets skilled workers come to Australia when an Australian employer employs them. 
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187) - This is another permanent visa for skilled workers, but it's for those employed by an employer in regional Australia. 
• Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) - For young adults from certain countries, this visa lets you work short-term while exploring Australia. It's usually valid for one year. 
• Distinguished Talent Visa (Subclass 124/858) - This is for people with extraordinary talent recognised globally in either a profession, sport, the arts, or academia and research.   
• Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa (Subclass 400) - Allows you to work temporarily or take part in activities in Australia for up to three months. 

Most Skilled Visas for immigration into Australia require that applicants achieve a minimum score on the Points Test, which award points for a number of different areas including English language ability.  Different visas require varying degrees of English language proficiency, categorised as Superior English, Proficient English, and Competent English. The table below illustrates how IELTS results correspond to the Point Test. 

With IELTS, you can be confident that you are taking a test that is trusted by institutions and organisations throughout Australia.  IELTS results are accepted by all professional associations in Australia that have set minimum language requirements for professional registration.

Migrate to Australia

If you wish to migrate to Australia, the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection will require that you demonstrate your English abilities as part of your visa application. IELTS is the most popular English language proficiency test for migrants to Australia. It evaluates your English proficiency on a scale of 0 to 9 in each of four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Most Skilled Visas for immigration into Australia require that applicants achieve a minimum score on the Points Test, which award points for a number of different areas including English language ability. Different visas require varying degrees of English language proficiency, categorised as Superior English, Proficient English, and Competent English. The table below illustrates how IELTS results correspond to the Point Test.