English Language Requirements

Candidates for Skilled Visas must have good English language proficiency. Depending on the skill, applicants must have at least ‘competent’ English or is some cases as with trade occupations, ‘vocational’. ‘Competent’ English requires an IELTS score on the General Test (see About IELTS) of at least 6 on each 4 components of the test – speaking, reading, writing and listening, while ‘Vocational’ English requires a score of at least 5 across all components.


About IELTS

IELTS is jointly managed by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), the British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) measures the ability of applicants to communicate in English across the four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – for people who intend to study, work or migrate to Australia. Over 1 million people take the IELTS test in over 120 countries every year. IELTS is now recognized in over 1,800 education institutions, professional organizations and accrediting bodies across the USA. It is also recognized in by universities and employers in many other countries including, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK.

All IELTS candidates must complete four modules – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, to obtain an IELTS Test Report Form (TRF). All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules. There is a choice between Academic and General Testing in the Reading and Writing Modules. The reading and writing component in the Academic IELTS are designed to test the full range of formal language skills required at an undergraduate or postgraduate university level. Whereas, the General IELTS reading and writing components test candidates’ basic survival skills in a broad social and educational context. The General IELTS is suitable for candidates who are going to English speaking countries to complete their secondary education, to undertake work experience or training programs not at a degree level, or for immigration purposes to Australia, Canada or New Zealand.

The total test time is 2 hours 45 minutes. The Listening, Reading and Writing Modules must be completed on the same day with no break in between each module, while the Speaking Module may be taken within the seven-day period immediately before or after the other Modules. The diagram below shows the test structure in detail.


IELTS Test Results

IELTS test marking is carried out at the center by trained examiners, ensuring test results are available without administrative delays. Results are available to candidates and/or sponsors/receiving institutions within 2-weeks of the first test in the form of a TRF (Test Report Form) and are generally valid for 2-years. Candidates receive a separate score for each module: Speaking, Listening, Reading & Writing, on the 1-9 Band Scale below. The individual scores are then tallied and averaged and rounded to produce an Overall Band Score.

Band 9: Expert User	Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.
Band 8: Very Good User	Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
Band 7: Good User	Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
Band 6: Competent User	Has generally effective command of the language despite some in accuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.
Band 5: Modest User	Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.
Band 4: Limited User	Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.
Band 3: Extremely Limited User	Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
Band 2: Intermittent User	No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words of short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty in understanding spoken and written English.
Band 1: Non User	Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
Band 0: Did Not Attempt Test	No assessable information provided.

Interpretation of Results

The candidates IELTS band score, which is displayed on the TRF, is considered by each institution, college or department based on the language demands of the course of study or training undertaken. The appropriate level required for a given course of training or study is determined by the language demands of each course and the experiences of previous students. Receiving institutions are advised to consider the both the Overall Band Score and the individual Bands for each module. Language skills are matched to particular courses. For example, courses with a lot of reading and writing and no lectures, may not require a strong result in the Listening module, perhaps 5.5/6.0 in the Listening with an Overall Band Score of 7.0 might be acceptable. On the other hand, a score of 5.5/6.0 in Listening may not be acceptable in a course with lots of lectures and spoken instruction, despite an Overall Band Score of 7.0. For more information, please visit http://www.ielts.org/pdf/IELTS_Handbook_2007.pdf


English Points for Skilled Migration

English Level	IELTS Score	Points Available
Proficient	7	25 points
Competent	6	15 points
Concessional Competent	5.5	15 points (regional Sponsored)
Vocational	5	15 points (Trade Occupations only)