International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

The IELTS is different to other English tests – it is a communicative test which tests and assesses how you communicate. Other tests may assess your ability to memorise English vocabulary, but IELTS checks how you use it in context.

English Skills Levels

Based on your results in the four components of the IELTS, applicants will be classified within the following categories:

Vocational English

If you are to achive a result of Vocational English, this means you have reasonable command of the English language, coping with overall meaning in most situations. You must be able to communicate effectively in your own field of employment.

The applicant must achieve a score of at least 5 in each of the 4 sections of the test.

This is the threshold for trade applicants.

Competent English (for General Skilled Migration only)

If you are to achieve a result of Competent English, you can read and understand a variety of English texts with reasonably good comprehension; you write English well enough to communicate effectively for most purposes; you understand spoken English competently in a range of situations; you speak English fairly fluently and accurately in a range of contexts.

Applicants must score a minimum of 6 in each band.

This is for most General Skilled Migration visas.

Concessional Competent English

If you are to achieve a result of Competent English, you have basic competence in the English language, but your skills may not be consistent across the four areas of testing.
 

Applicants must score a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

Proficient English (for General Skilled Migration only)

If you are to receive a result of Proficient English, you have an operational command of English with the ability to use and understand complex language well and comprehend detailed reasoning.
 

Applicants must score a minimum of 7 in each band with a maximum of 25 points being available in the General Skilled Migration points test.

Functional English

If you are to achieve a result of Functional English, you read and understand English texts about familiar topics; you write English well enough to communicate ideas or information for a variety of purposes but make some errors; you understand spoken English about familiar topics; you speak English well enough to handle everyday communication adequately, despite some errors.
 

If a person is assessed as having Functional English, they will be required to pay a further installment.

This is relevant for family, business and special eligibility visas.

Limited English

If you are to achieve a result of Limited English, you read and extract basic information from everyday written texts in English; you write enough English to communicate simple message but with frequent inaccuracies; you understand enough spoken English to comprehend some of the main points iin simple conversations about familiar topics; you speak English well enough to handle basic everyday situations but you make a lot of errors.

If a person is assessed as having Limited English, they will have achieved a band score of at least 4 on each of the bands.

No English

If you have been categorised as having No English skills, you read and understand only some words and phrases in very simple everday English texts; you write enough English words and phrases to communicate a restricted range of very simple information on familiar topics but with many inaccuracies; you understand a limited range of common English words and phrases in simple conversations; you speak enough English to have a very elementary conversation but with many errors and hesitations.
 

Visit the IELTS website for further information at www.ielts.org/candidates