BJ5.35 English language ability

1. Principal applicants must have a minimum overall band score of IELTS 3 for English language ability.
2. English language ability qualifies for points as follows:

BJ5.35.1 Evidence of English language ability

1. Unless claiming 10 points for IELTS 5 or more, Principal applicants must provide a certificate (no more than 2 years old at the time the application is lodged) from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), which shows overall band scores of 3 or 4 or more in the IELTS General or Academic Module.
2. Principal applicants claiming 10 points for IELTS 5 or more must provide one of the following:
   1. a certificate (no more than 2 years old at the time the application is lodged) from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), which shows an overall band score of 5 or more in the IELTS General or Academic Module, or
   2. evidence that they have an English-speaking background (see BF5.5) which is accepted by a visa or immigration officer as meeting the standard of English for which 10 points can be awarded; or
   3. other evidence which satisfies a visa or immigration officer that, taking account of that evidence and all the circumstances of the application, the person meets the standard of English for which 10 points can be awarded. Evidence may include but is not limited to:
      • the country in which the applicant currently resides;
      • the country(ies) in which the applicant has previously resided;
      • the duration of residence in each country;
      • the nature of the applicant's current or previous employment (if any) and whether it required or was likely to have required skill in English language;
      • the nature of the applicant's qualifications (if any) and whether the obtaining of those qualifications was likely to have required skill in English language.
3. In any case under (b) (ii) or (iii), a visa or immigration officer may require an applicant to provide an IELTS certificate in terms of paragraph (b)(i). In such cases, the IELTS certificate will be used to determine whether the applicant can be awarded 10 points for English language ability.

Note: IELTS is an international organisation that provides an assessment of ability in English. Its General and Academic Modules provide band totals (test results) showing overall ability as well as performance in listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Effective 27/07/2009