Australian Department of Immigration and citizenship has fixed the English language norms keeping in mind a simple fact that Immigrants who are fluent in the English language will be able to find a job in the Australian economy soon. Not to mention, this will also help the new immigrants in social networking in a distant land. However, poor language skills can be devastating to the likelihood of their career success, even if they qualify through all the necessary requirements of the job.
Skill levels based on the IELTS score
Accordingly, Australia requires all prospective economic migrants to take an IELTS test. Speaking, reading, writing and listening are the four main components of this test, on the basis of which, the language skills of the applicants is evaluated. To be eligible to apply for one of the permanent General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa categories, the main applicant must have ‘competent’ English or ‘vocational’ English, if they nominate for a skilled trade occupation.
The Australian immigration regulations identify seven English skill levels after assessing the fluency and competence of the applicant in the Queen’s language under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas:
1. Proficient English – Applicants who score a minimum of 7 points in their IELTS test score in each of the 4 components of the test are honoured to be included in this skill level, which is the highest in the test score. The applicant of this level are awarded 25 points in the GSM points test.
2. Competent English – Applicant of this level are the ones who have an IELTS test score of at least 6 points on each of the 4 components of the test. They are granted 15 points in the GSM points test.
3. Concessional Competent English – This level comprise in the applicants with the average band score of 5.5 in their IELTS score. The applicant is given 15 points in the GSM points test, if they have applied for the Skilled – Regional Sponsored visa and has paid a fee to attend English language tuition in a participating State or Territory.
4. “Vocational” or “Better than functional” English – Applicants with an IELTS score of at least 5 points in each of the 4 components of the test are included in this level. The applicant gets 15 points in the GSM points test, if they nominate for a skilled trade occupation. This is the minimum English requirement for Skilled sponsored applicants and a requirement for the Employer nomination scheme.
5. Functional English – Applicants who obtain an IELTS average band score of at least 4.5 points is listed under this skill level. These applicants do not get any points in the GSM points test.
6. Limited English – An IELTS average band score of at least 4 based on the 4 test components causes the applicant to be included under this skill level and not get any points benefit in the GSM points test.
7. No English – Applicants listed in this level usually have very limited understanding of English language skills. These applicants are not given any points in the GSM points test.
An IELTS report is normally valid for two years only and the Australian Immigration regulations require that the applicants undergo a fresh test if his earlier test report has expired and is more than two years old.
It is important to note that some occupations have minimum prescribed IELTS score requirements and applicants must obtain that minimum score to be eligible to apply for visa for such a nominated occupation. Two of such most common occupations are Engineers and teachers.
While Engineers need to have a minimum band of 6 in each of the IELTS testing modules in general training test, the minimum requirement for teachers is a band of 7 in each of the IELTS testing modules in Academic training test. These two occupations also require the applicant to appear in and provide the IELTS result as a part of the immigration assessment process.
Visa Application Charge
Anyone who is 18 years or above and have less than ‘functional’ English and applied under the below mentioned visa classes, is required to pay a second instalment and any other charge due, before they are granted a visa. The visa officer will tell you when and how to pay.
– Skilled – Independent
– Skilled – Sponsored
– Skilled – Regional Sponsored
– Business skills
– Employer nomination (excluding religious workers)
– Labour agreement (excluding religious workers)
– Distinguished talent
– Former resident
– Former citizen
– Family of New Zealand citizen
It is thereby strongly recommended that the applicant take preparatory classes before appearing in an IELTS test.
Summary: IELTS test is an integral part of the Immigration process under the Australia General Skilled Migration Visa. This test is required for the principal applicant as well as spouse and adult dependents above 18 years of age, unless you are lucky to be included in the category of people who are exempted to appear for the IELTS test.
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344 comments
Nasir Majeed says:
February 1, 2012 at 4:12 am (UTC -5)
hi to all i have submitted my Australian immigration case since 15 may 2011. my visa is 176 sponsor visa and i needed just 100 points to continue my process which was completed with out IELTS now tomorrow i have received one mail from immigration officer and he refused my case with the objection of IELTS 21 of jan i took the IELTS exam and 3rd of feb i will received my result please advise me which kind of reply i can send to immigration officer please advise me
Md. Alamgir Hossain says:
January 26, 2012 at 4:35 am (UTC -5)
Hello!! I completed my graduation in Electrical & Electronic Engineering & having 6+ years experience in telecommunication. I’ve an IELTS score 5.5. Am I able to apply for immigration an any state/province in Australia?
Sharier Prakash says:
January 14, 2012 at 1:26 pm (UTC -5)
i got overall 5.5 band L=5.5 R=4 s=6 writing=6.5 I have 13 yrs experience as a Sales Manager. I am 39 yrs old , married . But I want to get migration or work visa for going alone (without family)in Australia or canada.could I get it?
asma says:
December 31, 2011 at 6:48 am (UTC -5)
i have ielts score of 6 can i apply for australia immigration and i am a doctor and i have sonography ardms also.i dont know is it acceptable or not.
nisha says:
December 28, 2011 at 7:01 am (UTC -5)
Hi,
I hv done B.sc. degree in interior designing and having 4 yrs exp.in the same field. Nw i m preparing ielts test. Cud u plz let me know how much ielts bands are required for skilled migration??
Rdards
Nisha.
janak raj pathak says:
December 23, 2011 at 11:45 am (UTC -5)
dear sir/madam
i have just score overall 5.5 (L=5.5, R=4, W=6.5, S=6). Can I apply for work visa? And I also have five years experience in cooking. Does it is sufficient for me to visa? Please suggest me and give me some information about processing for working visa for Australia. Please mail me at janak_glg@yahoo.com.
thank you
Sincerely yours
janak
dinesh says:
December 18, 2011 at 4:26 am (UTC -5)
hi,
i am Dinesh from Nepal. I have 4 yrs of civil engineering graduation degree and 4 yrs of experience in construction section, and my Ielts score is 6( r-5.5, s-6, w-6, l-6.5) can i apply in Australia?
With regards
Dinesh
Anand says:
December 16, 2011 at 9:26 pm (UTC -5)
I want to move to Australia in skilled immigration visa how much band i should take pls reply me basically i have completed my diploma and seven years have experience how much band is required for work permit
sanam says:
December 22, 2011 at 4:03 am (UTC -5)
Dear Anand,
Please send us your detailed resume at sanam@abhinav.com for appropriate advise on the same.
Vishal THakur says:
December 8, 2011 at 9:30 pm (UTC -5)
Respected sir, My name is vishal Thakur .I did my intermidiate in commerce with 56% marks.I had also taken ielts test and scored Overall 6 bands ,listening 7, Reading 5.5, writing 5 and speaking 5.5 bands . So please suugest me that i can apply for diploma course foR australia.
zaid says:
December 8, 2011 at 1:16 pm (UTC -5)
IM resident doctor ,,,want to immigrat to australia…which part of IELTS test sholud i do ,,,the general or the academic one…hope to get ahelpful answer…
Dr. Sharmina Rahman says:
December 8, 2011 at 11:50 am (UTC -5)
Hi;
I’m a doctor from Bangladesh. i wanna apply for PR in Australia. IELTS score 7 is required for PR. but my question is…….is it general or academic module requires for doctor? plzzzzzz reply. it’s very urgent for me.
waiting for your reply.
………………………………….
Dr. Sharmina Rahman
Sindhu p.s says:
December 1, 2011 at 6:28 am (UTC -5)
i got overall 6 band L=6 R=5 s=5.5 writing=6.5 I have 3 yrs experience as a teacher in schools. I am 39 yrs old , married . But I want to get migration or work visa for going alone (without family)in Australia or canada.could I get it?
sanam says:
December 9, 2011 at 4:16 am (UTC -5)
Hi Sindhu,
Minimum 7(academic)in each band is required to apply for Australia.
Angeline P says:
November 23, 2011 at 8:27 pm (UTC -5)
Hi, do I need ielts if I have just graduate a diploma in early child education and special needs study this year 2011?it was conducted in English. I am the main applicant for migration sub class 163
my husband has done his ielts last year.
Anticipating your reply and thank you.
Pramey says:
November 30, 2011 at 6:22 am (UTC -5)
I have got overall ielts band 7.5 with L-8.5, R-6.5, W-7, S-7. Can i apply for australian PR. I am software engg with 8+ years of work exp. I understand that 7 in every band is required. pls suggest.
sanam says:
December 9, 2011 at 4:18 am (UTC -5)
Hi Pramey,
Your understanding is correct you need minimum 7 in each band.
You can write us at contact@abhinav.com for further assistance.
gursharn singh says:
November 20, 2011 at 3:29 am (UTC -5)
i got 5 overall 5 band w.5.5,s.5,l.4.5 and r4…can i apply australian student visa?
jai parkash says:
November 18, 2011 at 9:45 am (UTC -5)
i got 5 overall 5 band L4.50R-5S-5R5 CAN I GET AUSTRALIAN STUDY VISA?
Moideen says:
November 16, 2011 at 8:56 pm (UTC -5)
I am a studing furninture design(carpentry) course in Australia. What is the minimum IELTS score for PR under this qualification?
deepak kalia says:
October 22, 2011 at 8:06 am (UTC -5)
as i got in ielts -L5,R-4,W-5.5,S-6 OVERALL 5.
do i qualify for australian family immigration
sanam says:
November 3, 2011 at 7:19 am (UTC -5)
Dear Deepak,
For Australian PR 7 in each band is the minimum requirement.
Anne G. says:
October 11, 2011 at 10:13 am (UTC -5)
hi im applying for skilled migration to australia.. im a primary school teacher… what type of IELTS test should i take? thank you.
romanawaseem says:
October 9, 2011 at 1:47 pm (UTC -5)
plz i studies ielts plz help me i and my family go to australia
Anu says:
September 24, 2011 at 10:06 pm (UTC -5)
Hi,
I am having 5+ years of experience in Manual testing, trying for Australian Work visa .Got overall IELTS score 7 ,L-7.5,R-7,W-6.5 and S-6.5.I do understand from the website that 7 in each module is required, still I want to check out the chance for processing Australian Visa.Also My .husband is having 7+ years of DBA experience.He has got IELTS overall band 5.5 . Please advice us on visa requirements.
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Anu
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