Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
Vocational English scores by test
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, the Home Affairs Vocational English page sets these minimums in each of the four components. The score must come from the three years before your visa application, depending on the visa subclass.
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or General Training | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| PTE Academic | 33 | 36 | 29 | 24 |
| TOEFL iBT (registered as 'Taking TOEFL for Australia') | 8 | 8 | 9 | 14 |
| CELPIP General | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| OET | 220 | 240 | 200 | 270 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 41 | 44 | 45 | 54 |
| Michigan English Test | 49 | 47 | 45 | 38 |
Rules for IELTS results
Home Affairs accepts IELTS results that include One Skill Retake 'for eligible visas', and tells you to check the visa page to see if yours is one (Home Affairs).
Only tests at a secure test centre count. Home Affairs lists IELTS Online among the at-home tests it does not accept (Home Affairs).
IELTS taken on or before 6 August 2025 also needs 5 in each component. Home Affairs says those older results can be used until 6 August 2028 at the latest, depending on the visa.
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.
Where Vocational sits among the Home Affairs levels
Vocational is one step below Competent English, which asks for IELTS 6 in each skill (Home Affairs). Which level you need is set by the visa itself, so check your subclass page. Functional English is a lower level again and has its own rules.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vocational English IELTS 5 overall or 5 in each band?+
5 in each of the four components. Home Affairs states minimums for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking separately.
Can I use IELTS General Training for Vocational English?+
Yes. Home Affairs lists both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training with the same 5 in each skill.
Is IELTS Online accepted?+
No. Home Affairs does not accept tests delivered fully online, and names IELTS Online as an example.
Who is exempt from proving Vocational English?+
Citizens with a valid passport from Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States.
How old can my IELTS result be?+
Within the 3 years before your visa application, depending on the subclass.
Keep reading
Related
- Functional English for Australian visas
- English tests accepted for Australian visas
- IELTS for Australian skilled visas 189, 190 and 491
- 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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