Legislative Instrument 14/076 [F2014L01538] Migration Regulations 1994 - Specification of Language Tests, Score and Passports specifies English language proficiency and the test scores which are used to prove this proficiency.

The instrument specifies English language proficiency and test scores (and passports which can be used as proof of English language proficiency) for:

Applications lodged before 1 July 2012 – no change, IELTS and OET

Applications lodged after 1 July 2012 – no change, IELTS and OET

Applications lodged on and after 23 November 2014.

For applications lodged on and after 23 November 2014:

Reg 1.15B – Vocational English

IELTS – 5 in each of the four sections

OET – B in each of the four sections

TOEFL iBT – Speaking 14, Reading 4, Writing 14, Listening 4

Pearson (PTE Academic) – 36 for the four components

OR a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland, to a citizen of that country

Reg 1.15C – Competent English

IELTS – 6 in each of the four sections

OET – B for each of the four components

TOEFL iBT – Speaking 18, Reading 13, Writing 21, Listening 12

Pearson (PTE Academic) – at least 50 for the four components

OR a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland, to a citizen of that country

Reg 1.15D – Proficient English

IELTS – 7 in each of the four sections

OET – B for each of the four components

TOEFL iBT – Speaking 23, Reading 24, Writing 27, Listening 24

Pearson (PTE Academic) – at least 65 for the four components

Reg 1.15 EA – Superior English

IELTS – 8 in each of the four sections

OET – A for each of the four components

TOEFL iBT – Speaking 26, Reading 29, Writing 30, Listening 28

Pearson (PTE Academic) – at least 79 for the four test components

This instrument commences on 23 November 2014. 

The Cambridge English language test is expected to be accepted from 1 January 2015.