General information, not migration advice. We explain published test scores. We can't tell you which visa you're eligible for or what you personally need. Requirements change, so always check the Department of Home Affairs website, or speak to a registered migration agent.
Scores for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025
You need at least this overall score. There's no minimum for each skill.
| Test | Functional English (overall) |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or General Training | 4.5 average band |
| PTE Academic | 24 overall |
| TOEFL iBT | 26 total (select "Taking TOEFL for Australia" when you register) |
| CELPIP General | 5 overall |
| LanguageCert Academic | 38 overall |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | 38 overall |
| OET | 1020 overall (OET score reports don't show an overall result, so contact OET for it) |
Tests taken on or before 6 August 2025
| Test | Functional English (overall) |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 4.5 average band |
| PTE Academic | 30 overall |
| TOEFL iBT | 32 total |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 147 total |
Other ways to show Functional English
Home Affairs also accepts evidence of one of these instead of a test:
- A passport: you're a citizen of, and hold a valid passport from, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States.
- Study in English: a degree, higher degree, diploma or trade certificate that needed at least 2 years of full-time study or training, with all instruction in English.
- School or study at approved institutions, with all instruction in English. Examples include all of primary school plus at least 3 years of secondary school, at least 5 years of secondary school, or at least 1 year of full-time study towards a degree or diploma at an Australian institution.
The official page has the exact conditions and the list of approved institutions.
Things to know
- Recent tests only: for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, Home Affairs says the test must have been taken in the 12 months before you apply, although some visas accept older results. Check your visa's page.
- At-home tests aren't accepted, including IELTS Online, OET@Home, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, CELPIP Online, LanguageCert Academic Online and MET at home.
- Which visas use it: it depends on the visa, and sometimes on whether you're the main applicant or a family member. Check your visa's page on the Home Affairs website, or ask a registered migration agent.
All five English levels
| Level | IELTS | PTE Academic (from 7 Aug 2025) | How it's measured |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functional | 4.5 average | 24 overall | Overall score |
| Vocational | 5 in each | 33 / 36 / 29 / 24 | Each skill (L / R / W / S) |
| Competent | 6 in each | 47 / 48 / 51 / 54 | Each skill |
| Proficient | 7 in each | 58 / 59 / 69 / 76 | Each skill |
| Superior | 8 in each | 69 / 70 / 85 / 88 | Each skill |
Check your own results with our visa score checker. It covers all five levels and every approved test.
Official source
- Functional English, Department of Home Affairs
Requirements can change at any time. If anything here differs from the official page, the official page is right.
Frequently asked questions
Is Functional English IELTS 4.5 or 5?
4.5. Home Affairs lists Functional English as an IELTS average band score of at least 4.5 across the four components. IELTS 5 in each component is the next level up, Vocational English.
What PTE score is Functional English?
For PTE Academic tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, an overall score of at least 24. For tests taken on or before 6 August 2025, it was an overall score of at least 30.
Do I need a minimum score in each skill?
No. Functional English uses an overall, average or total score. Vocational, Competent, Proficient and Superior English need a minimum in each skill.
Can I show Functional English without a test?
Sometimes. Home Affairs also accepts a valid passport from Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the UK or the US, or certain study completed in English. See the list on this page and check the official page for the details.