What Home Affairs accepts
On 7 August 2025 the tests approved for Australian visas changed, and CELPIP General was added for tests taken on or after that date, at a secure test centre (Home Affairs). Home Affairs does not accept fully online tests and names CELPIP Online among them.
Paragon's Australia page lists permanent visas, skills and employer-sponsored visas and the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) among the routes, with CELPIP General priced at AUD 355 plus applicable taxes in Australia.
CELPIP scores for each Australian English level
These minimums are from the Home Affairs pages for functional, vocational, competent, proficient and superior English, for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. The level you need depends on your visa subclass.
| English level | CELPIP General minimum | When the test must be taken |
|---|---|---|
| Functional | Overall band score of at least 5 | In the 12 months before the visa application |
| Vocational | At least 5 in each of the 4 components | In the 3 years before the application, depending on the visa |
| Competent | At least 7 in each of the 4 components | In the 3 years before the application, depending on the visa |
| Proficient | Listening 9, Reading 8, Writing 10, Speaking 8 | In the 3 years before the application, depending on the visa |
| Superior | Listening 10, Reading 10, Writing 12, Speaking 10 | In the 3 years before the application, depending on the visa |
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Where to take CELPIP in Australia
On 14 October 2026 the CELPIP test date finder's city filter listed Sydney and Parramatta (New South Wales), Melbourne (Victoria), Brisbane (Queensland), Adelaide (South Australia) and Perth (Western Australia) (celpip.ca). The test takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes in one sitting, and scores are online in 2 to 4 business days (celpip.ca).
CELPIP compared with other accepted tests
Home Affairs also accepts C1 Advanced, IELTS Academic and General Training, LanguageCert Academic, the Michigan English Test, OET, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT taken at a test centre (Home Affairs). For skilled visas, see IELTS for Australian skilled visas or take a PTE mock test for Australia.
Frequently asked questions
Is CELPIP accepted for Australian PR?+
Yes. Home Affairs accepts CELPIP General taken at a secure test centre on or after 7 August 2025. The score you need depends on your visa.
What CELPIP score is Competent English?+
At least 7 in each of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
What CELPIP score is Proficient English?+
Listening 9, Reading 8, Writing 10 and Speaking 8.
Can I use CELPIP Online for an Australian visa?+
No. Home Affairs does not accept fully online tests and names CELPIP Online as an example.
Where can I take CELPIP in Australia?+
Sydney, Parramatta, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth were in the CELPIP test date finder on 14 October 2026.
Keep reading
Related
- CELPIP score chart
- LanguageCert Academic for Australia
- IELTS for Australian skilled visas
- PTE mock test for Australia
- All 1712 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 14 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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