From November 2014, the Australian department of immigration will accept English language test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) and the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) across the Temporary Graduate, Skilled, Former Resident and Work and Holiday visa programmes. Scores from the Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test will also be accepted from early 2015.
These tests are alternatives to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Occupational English Test (OET).
The following visa subclasses from the Temporary Graduate, Skilled, Former Resident and Work and Holiday visa programmes will accept a TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic test score as evidence of English ability from November 2014:
•Distinguished Talent (Australian support) (subclass 124)
•Business Talent (subclass 132)
•Former Resident (subclass 151)
•Business Owner (provisional) (subclass 160)*
•Senior Executive (provisional) (subclass 161)*
•Investor (provisional) (subclass 162)*
•State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (provisional) (subclass 163)*
•State/Territory Sponsored Senior Executive (provisional) (subclass 164)*
•State/Territory Sponsored Investor (provisional) (subclass 165)*
•Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
•Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
•Business Innovation & Investment (provisional) (subclass 188)
•Skilled – Independent (subclass 189)
•Skilled – Nominated (subclass 190)
•Work and Holiday (temporary) (subclass 462)
•Skilled – Recognised Graduate (subclass 476)
•Temporary Graduate (subclass 485)
•Skilled – Regional (provisional) (subclass 489)
•Distinguished Talent (subclass 858)
•Skilled – Regional (subclass 887)
•Business Innovation and Investment (permanent) (subclass 888)
•Business Owner (Residence) (subclass 890)
•Investor (Residence) (subclass 891)
•State/Territory Sponsored Business owner (Residence) (subclass 892)
•State/Territory Sponsored Investor (Residence) (subclass 893)
A summary of test score equivalencies for all English language tests accepted by the department from November 2014 is provided below.
| English Language proficiency level | Test component | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | OET |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Functional | Average across test components only | 4.5 | 32 | 30 | n/a |
| Vocational | Listening | 5.0 | 4 | 36 | B |
| Reading | 5.0 | 4 | 36 | B | |
| Writing | 5.0 | 14 | 36 | B | |
| Speaking | 5.0 | 14 | 36 | B | |
| Competent | Listening | 6.0 | 12 | 50 | B |
| Reading | 6.0 | 13 | 50 | B | |
| Writing | 6.0 | 21 | 50 | B | |
| Speaking | 6.0 | 18 | 50 | B | |
| Proficient (for points tested Skilled visas) | Listening | 7.0 | 24 | 65 | B |
| Reading | 7.0 | 24 | 65 | B | |
| Writing | 7.0 | 27 | 65 | B | |
| Speaking | 7.0 | 23 | 65 | B | |
| Superior (for points tested Skilled visas) | Listening | 8.0 | 28 | 79 | A |
| Reading | 8.0 | 29 | 79 | A | |
| Writing | 8.0 | 30 | 79 | A | |
| Speaking | 8.0 | 26 | 79 | A |
Visit:
•TOEFL iBT visit ETS TOEFL Website: http://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/about
•PTE Academic visit Pearson Website: http://pearsonpte.com/testme
Source:
http://www.immi.gov.au
