G6.5 Minimum standard of English (01/04/2001)

1. Principal applicants and spouses, partners and dependent children included in an application under the General Skills category meet the minimum standard of English if:
   1. they 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 a minimum band score of 5 on each of the 4 components of the IELTS General or Academic Module, or
   2. they provide evidence that they have an English-speaking background (see G6.5.1) which is accepted by a visa or immigration officer as meeting the minimum standard of English; or
   3. they provide 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 minimum standard of English. These circumstances may include but are 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;
   • whether the applicant speaks any language other than English;
   • whether members of the applicant's family speak English
   • whether members of the applicant's family speak any language other than English;
   • the nature of the applicant's current or previous employment (if any) and whether that is or was likely to require skill in English language;
   • the nature of the applicant's qualifications (if any) and whether the obtaining of those qualifications was likely to require skill in English language.
2. In any case under (a) (ii) or (iii), a visa or immigration officer may require an applicant to provide an IELTS certificate in terms of paragraph (a)(i). In such cases, the IELTS certificate will be used to determine whether the applicant meets the minimum standard of English.

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.

G6.5.1 Evidence of an English-speaking background

Evidence of an English-speaking background is original or certified copies of documents showing:

• completion of all primary education and at least 3 years of secondary education (that is, the equivalent of New Zealand Forms 3 to 5 or years 9 to 11) at schools using English as the language of instruction, or
• completion of at least 5 years of secondary education (that is, the equivalent of New Zealand Forms 3 to 7 or years 9 to 13) at schools using English as the language of instruction, or
• completion of a course of at least 3 years' duration leading to the award of a tertiary qualification at institutions using English as the language of instruction, or
• that the applicant holds General Certificate of Education (GCE) 'A' Levels from Britain or Singapore with a minimum C pass (the passes must specifically include the subjects English Language or Literature, or Use of English), or
• that the applicant holds International Baccalaureate – full Diploma in English Medium, or
• that the applicant holds Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English – minimum C pass, or
• that the applicant holds Hong Kong Advanced Level Examinations (HKALE) including a minimum C pass in Use of English, or
• that the applicant holds STPM 1119 (Malaysia) – A or B pass in English, or
• that the applicant holds South African Matriculation Certificate, including a minimum D pass in English (Higher Grade), or
• that the applicant holds South African Senior Certificate, including a minimum D pass in English (Higher Grade), endorsed with the words 'matriculation exempt', or
• that the applicant holds a New Zealand Tertiary Entrance Qualification gained on completing the seventh form.

G6.5.5 Employment in New Zealand as English-speaking background

1. An applicant is also considered to have an English-speaking background if:
   1. they have been lawfully employed full-time in an occupation in New Zealand for a minimum of 12 months; and
   2. English was the language of employment; and
   3. that employment is relevant to the qualification for which points are being awarded (see G4.1.5).
2. "Employment' in the context of English language requirements policy does not include self-employment.

G6.5.10 Evidence of employment in New Zealand

1. Evidence of full-time employment in New Zealand for a minimum of 12 months is original or certified copies of:
   1. references from employers on company letterhead, which state the occupation and dates of employment and the contact phone number and address of the employer, or
   2. an employment contract with confirmation from the employer that the applicant is still employed.
2. Evidence that English was the language of employment is a written statement from the employer that English was the primary language used in that employment.

Effective 01/04/2001