Visa English requirements

Do you need IELTS for the 191 visa?

No. The Home Affairs eligibility list for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) has no English language requirement. You must have held a subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least 3 years, provide Australian Taxation Office notices of assessment for 3 income years and have complied with your visa conditions. English was tested when you got the 491 or 494.
  • Guide updated · 30 October 2026
  • 3 sections
  • IELTS
Take a free mock →Read the guide

Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026

What the 191 asks for

The 191 Regional Provisional stream page lists the rules below, plus health, character, the Australian values statement and any debt to the Australian Government. None is an English test.

Rules change, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current requirement on the Home Affairs 191 page before you book a test or apply. This guide restates the official page; it is not legal or immigration advice.

RequirementHome Affairs rule
Eligible visaSubclass 491 or 494, held for at least 3 years
IncomeNo minimum; ATO notices of assessment for 3 income years out of the 5 years of your eligible visa
Visa conditionsComplied with for the whole period you held the visa
EnglishNo requirement listed
CostFrom AUD630

Where the English test happened

The 191 builds on a provisional visa that had its own English rules. For the 491 points-tested visa, see IELTS for 189, 190 and 491. For the employer-sponsored 494, see IELTS for the 494 visa.

Know your target? Check where you stand

Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock and see your score per skill before you book the real test. Free account, no card.

Take a free mock →

Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.

Processing order

Home Affairs says it prioritises 191 applications under Ministerial Direction No. 122, and publishes the lodgement months it is currently processing on the 191 page. It advises paying back any ATO debt, or having an approved payment plan, to avoid delays.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a new IELTS for the 191?+

No. The 191 eligibility list does not include an English language requirement.

Which visas lead to the 191?+

Home Affairs says the eligible visas are subclass 491 and subclass 494, held for at least 3 years.

Is there a minimum income for the 191?+

No. Home Affairs says there is no minimum income requirement, but you must provide ATO notices of assessment for 3 income years.

Can family members be included?+

Yes. Family members who apply with you must meet the health requirement, and those aged 16 and over must meet the character requirement.

Keep reading

Related

Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

Take a free mock