What IELTS score do you need for the 494 visa?

Home Affairs sets each level per skill, not as one overall score, and a state can only use these levels. Sources: Competent, Proficient and Superior English pages. On the 190 and 491 points tests Competent earns 0 points, Proficient 10 and Superior 20. A citizen holding a valid passport from Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States meets Competent English without a test, but needs a test score to claim Proficient or Superior.

For the Employer Sponsored stream only the Competent column is required. There are no points on the 494, so Proficient or Superior English does not change the visa outcome; it can matter later if you move to a points-tested visa.

The 494 costs AUD6,140 for the main applicant, AUD3,070 for each dependant 18 and over and AUD1,535 for each dependant under 18 (Employer Sponsored stream). The visa pricing table adds a second instalment of AUD4,890 for each applicant who was 18 or over at application and is assessed as not having functional English. Functional English is an IELTS average of 4.5 or PTE Academic 24 overall; see our Functional English guide.

Confirm current rules on the 494 Employer Sponsored stream page before you book a test. This guide restates Home Affairs pages read on 14 October 2026; it is not migration advice.