By Sukhjinder Singh September 17, 2025 0 Comments

Functional English Requirements

To meet the Functional English standard for your visa, you must provide evidence in one of the following ways:

1. Passport Holders

You are a citizen and hold a valid passport from one of these countries:

  • Canada
  • New Zealand
  • Republic of Ireland
  • United Kingdom (not including British National Overseas passports)
  • United States of America

2. Study Completed in English

You may also qualify if you completed study or training in English, such as:

  • At least 2 years of full-time study (degree, diploma, higher degree, or trade certificate) where all instruction was in English
  • Primary and secondary education: all years of primary plus at least 3 years of secondary school, taught in English
  • Secondary education only: at least 5 years, taught in English
  • Study in Australia: at least 1 year full-time (or equivalent part-time) towards a diploma, degree, or higher qualification, with all study in English

3. Approved English Test Scores

If you do not meet the above, you can show evidence through an approved English test.

Tests Taken on or after 7 August 2025

Within the last 3 years, you must achieve at least:

TestMinimum Score
CELPIP GeneralOverall band score of 5
IELTS (Academic or General, including OSR)Average band score of 4.5
MET (including SSR)Overall score of 38
OETOverall score of 1020
LanguageCert AcademicOverall score of 38
PTE AcademicOverall score of 24
TOEFL iBTTotal score of 26

Tests Taken on or before 6 August 2025

If your test was taken before this date, results may be used until 6 August 2026, depending on your visa. Minimum scores are:

TestMinimum Score
Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE)Total score of 147
IELTS (Academic or General, including OSR)Average band score of 4.5
PTE AcademicTotal score of 30
TOEFL iBTTotal score of 32

Online Test Restrictions

The Department does not accept results from online or at-home tests (remote-proctored). Examples not accepted:

  • IELTS Online
  • CELPIP Online
  • LanguageCert Academic Online
  • MET Digital (home version)
  • OET@Home
  • TOEFL iBT Home Edition

👉 Need help confirming whether you meet the Functional English requirement for your visa? Contact Migration Dreamz for clear guidance.

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