Are you planning to study in Australia? Well, then you should be aware of the new English language requirements for Australian immigration from 2024 onwards. Let us check out the new requirements in detail. The English language standards for Student and Temporary Graduate Visas have been modified by the Australian government, as stated in the Migration Strategy published on December 11, 2023. The Australian government declared that, beginning in early 2024, English language proficiency tests will be mandatory for Student Visas. The English language requirement for the Temporary Graduate Visa will rise from 6.0 to 6.5, and that of the Student Visa will rise from 5.5 to 6.0. The new English language requirements will be applicable to all Student and Temporary Graduate Visa applications lodged on or after March 23, 2024. Let’s see how the English language requirements have changed.
Student Visas
- The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 5.5 used to be the minimum required for a student visa. It has now been raised to 6.0 (or equivalent).
- Students enrolled in an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) prior to their primary course of study require a minimum test score of 5 or equivalent, which was 4.5 earlier.
- An IELTS score of 5.5 (or equivalent) is the minimal score needed for students enrolled in university foundation or pathway programs that provide credible English language training.
- There is no change for full-time students, secondary exchange students, postgraduate research students, or students studying English only through ELICOS.
Temporary Graduate Visas (TGV) - IELTS score 6.0 was the minimum necessary for a Temporary Graduate visa; now, it is 6.5 (or equivalent), with a minimum of 5.5 for each of the four test components (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).
- Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders are exempt from the new minimum English language proficiency standard. This cohort’s IELTS score requirements continue at 6.0 (or equivalent), with a minimum of 5.0 for each of the four sections of the test (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).
- In order to be eligible for a visa, applicants must show proof that they have passed an English language test and meet the necessary requirements no more than a year prior to the application date.
So, why have the English language requirements changed? The new English language requirements will be crucial to your success as an international student in Australia, and if you plan to seek a graduate visa, achieving a higher score will help you thrive in the Australian workforce. Your learning and career outcomes will be better supported by the increased English language requirements. Proficiency in English will also enable you to interact with the Australian community and comprehend your rights and obligations at work.
Which English proficiency test does Australia value more? There are several options to choose from when it comes to choosing an English test for an Australian visa. The Australian government accepts the following test scores:
- International English Language System (IELTS)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE or C1 Advanced)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE)
- Occupational English Test (OET)
The four main language skills are speaking, writing, reading, and listening, and these are evaluated on all four exams. IELTS, or the International English Language Testing System, is a popular choice among these exams. Thus, the changes to the English language requirement can be summed up as follows: There will be a raise in the IELTS scores for the Student Visa (from 5.5 to 6.0), the Temporary Graduate Visa (from 6.0 to 6.5), and the ELICOS (from 5.5 to 6.0). A minimum of 5.5 on the IELTS (or a similar test) is needed to enroll in university foundation or pathway programs that provide English language training. Commencing on February 12, 2024, only results from the paper-based Cambridge C1 Advanced exam—formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced CAE—will be accepted for Australian immigration and visa purposes. Test results from C1 Advanced computer and paper tests completed before February 12, 2024, within the validity period specified are still admissible. Although the document indicates that these modifications will take effect on March 23, 2024, no legislative instruments implementing these changes have yet been published in the Federal Register of Legislation. For additional information and expert guidance on any of your inquiries about Australian immigration, get in contact with MilkyWay. Connect with us, and one of our knowledgeable immigration advisers will assist you.
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