English language proficiency
Recognised programs and tests
For assessing the English language proficiency requirement, with your skills assessment application you will need to provide one of the following:
1. Accounting Professional Year Program
If you have completed the Accounting Professional Year Program, please provide a high-resolution colour scan of your program completion certificate and transcript.
Learn more about the Accounting Professional Year Program
2. Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
For verification purposes, you'll need to authorise us to access your results through the Cambridge Candidate website.
The minimum acceptable scores are:
Assessment | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
---|---|---|---|---|
Full skills assessment | 185 | 185 | 185 | 185 |
Provisional skills assessment | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
Learn more about the Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test
3. International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Only the Academic IELTS test is acceptable for full skills assessments.
For provisional skills assessments, we accept either the Academic IELTS or the General Training IELTS test.
The minimum acceptable scores are:
Assessment | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
---|---|---|---|---|
Full skills assessment (only Academic IELTS test is accepted) |
7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
Provisional skills assessment (Academic or General Training IELTS test is accepted) |
6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
4. PTE Academic
For verification purposes, please ensure that your score report contains both your Score Report Code and Registration ID. We're unable to verify your scores without your score report code.
The minimum acceptable scores are:
Assessment | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
---|---|---|---|---|
Full skills assessment | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
Provisional skills assessment | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
5. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT
We currently only accept valid TOEFL iBT scores from tests taken prior to 26 July 2023.
The minimum acceptable scores are:
Assessment | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
---|---|---|---|---|
Full skills assessment | 24 | 24 | 27 | 23 |
Provisional skills assessment | 12 | 13 | 21 | 18 |
Validity of English language test results
English language test results are valid for three years from the test date. The test report form must be within this three-year validity period at the time when the skills assessment outcome is issued. This includes any update, appeal or skills assessment (for additional ANZSCO code) request.
For skills assessment purposes, no validity applies for the Accounting Professional Year Program. PYP certificate and transcripts do not list an expiry date. When you apply to the Department of Home Affairs, we recommend that you visit the Department of Home Affairs website for information regarding to the Department’s requirements.
Important Information:
The English language proficiency is a requirement for all applicants. There are no exemptions to this requirement.
‘At-home’ or ‘online’ tests cannot be accepted.
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