Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
Functional English for the 407
The Training visa page says "You must have functional English" and asks for evidence that you have functional English language skills to undertake the training programme. The scores below come from the functional English page; test scores there must be from the 12 months before your application.
| Test | Functional English minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or General Training | Average band score of at least 4.5 |
| PTE Academic | Overall at least 24 |
| TOEFL iBT | Total at least 26 |
| CELPIP General | Overall at least 5 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Overall at least 38 |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | Overall at least 38 |
| OET | Overall at least 1020 |
Exempt passports
Home Affairs says you do not need to provide English results if you hold a valid passport from the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, the United States or the Republic of Ireland.
The functional English page also accepts certain study in English instead of a test, such as a degree, diploma or trade certificate of at least 2 years of full-time study where all instruction was in English (Home Affairs).
Need an English test for an Australian visa?
Home Affairs accepts PTE Academic and IELTS, among other tests. Take a free mock and see where you would land.
Free PTE Academic mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
Other 407 rules and the November 2026 change
You must be sponsored, be nominated (unless your sponsor is a Commonwealth Government agency, in which case you must be invited) and apply from outside Australia. Home Affairs says that from 12 November 2026 applicants must be outside Australia both when they apply and when the visa is granted (Home Affairs).
Rules change, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current requirement on the Home Affairs 407 page before you book a test or apply. This guide restates the official page; it is not legal or immigration advice.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS band is functional English?+
An average band score of at least 4.5 on IELTS Academic or General Training.
Do US citizens need IELTS for the 407?+
No. Home Affairs says holders of a valid US passport do not need to provide English results.
Can I apply for a 407 inside Australia?+
Home Affairs says that from 12 November 2026 you must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted.
Is the 407 for ongoing work?+
No. Home Affairs says it is for workplace-based training or a professional development program, not ongoing work.
Keep reading
Related
- Functional English for Australia
- IELTS for the Work and Holiday visa (462)
- IELTS for the 482 visa
- English tests accepted for Australian visas
- All 3112 guides
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.
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