The English requirement for the 186 visa is “Competent English”. In simple words, you need at least IELTS 6 in each of the four parts (listening, reading, writing and speaking), or an equal score in another approved test. The only common way around the test is to hold a valid passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland.
Last checked against the Department of Home Affairs website: 5 October 2026.
In This Guide
- What Does Competent English Mean for the 186 Visa?
- Who Must Meet the English Requirement?
- 186 Visa English Test Scores (Tests Taken On or After 7 August 2025)
- English Test Scores for Tests Taken Before 7 August 2025
- Who Is Exempt From the English Test?
- How Long Is Your English Test Result Valid?
- Tests You Cannot Use
- English Requirement for Your Partner and Family
- Other 186 Visa Requirements to Keep in Mind
- Common English Test Mistakes in 186 Visa Applications
- How to Prepare and Plan Your English Test
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
What Does Competent English Mean for the 186 Visa?
Competent English is a level set by the Australian Government. It shows that you can use English well enough to work and live in Australia.
The 186 visa is the Employer Nomination Scheme visa. It leads to permanent residency. Because it is a permanent visa, the Department of Home Affairs wants to see proof of your English skills.
Your skills are checked in four areas:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
You must reach the minimum score in every area. A high score in one area cannot cover a low score in another. This is the point where many applicants lose their chance.
Who Must Meet the English Requirement?
The main applicant must show Competent English. This applies to both main streams of the 186 visa:
- Direct Entry stream: for skilled workers who have an eligible job offer, a positive skills assessment and the needed work experience.
- Temporary Residence Transition stream: for workers who already hold a temporary skilled visa and have worked for their employer for the required time.
There is also the Labour Agreement stream. In this stream, the English level is set by the labour agreement between the employer and the Australian Government. It can be different from Competent English. Always read your agreement first.
186 Visa English Test Scores (Tests Taken On or After 7 August 2025)
On 7 August 2025, the English tests approved for Australian visas changed. Some tests were added. Some scores were updated. This is important, because many websites still show old scores.
If you took your test on or after 7 August 2025, use the scores below. You need at least these scores in each part.
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic or General Training) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| PTE Academic (new version) | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 |
| TOEFL iBT | 16 | 16 | 19 | 19 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 163 | 163 | 170 | 179 |
| CELPIP General | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | 56 | 55 | 57 | 48 |
| OET (numerical scores) | 290 | 310 | 290 | 330 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 57 | 60 | 64 | 70 |
Important: For TOEFL iBT, you must choose “Taking TOEFL for Australia” when you book the test. If you do not, your result is not valid for Australian visas.
The PTE Academic test has the same name as before, but the test and the scores are different. Do not mix up the old and new PTE scores.
The OET is made for health professionals. It now uses numbers instead of letters. OET does not show an overall score on the report, but you can ask OET for it.
IELTS One Skill Retake
Home Affairs accepts IELTS results that include a One Skill Retake for eligible visas. Check the 186 visa page on the Home Affairs website to confirm if it applies to your stream before you rely on it.
English Test Scores for Tests Taken Before 7 August 2025
If you took your test on or before 6 August 2025, your old result may still work. The scores for those tests are below.
| Test | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic or General Training) | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| PTE Academic (old version) | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| TOEFL iBT | 12 | 13 | 21 | 21 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
| OET (letter grades) | B | B | B | B |
A result from an older test can be used until 6 August 2028, but this depends on the visa. It must also still be within the allowed time before you apply. See the next section on validity.
Who Is Exempt From the English Test?
You can prove Competent English without a test if you are a citizen of one of these countries and hold a valid passport from that country:
- Canada
- New Zealand
- The Republic of Ireland
- The United Kingdom
- The United States of America
Both parts matter. Being a citizen is not enough. The passport must be valid at the time you apply.
No exemption for English-medium study
In the past, some people could skip the test by showing five years of study in English. For the 186 visa, this option was removed on 16 November 2019. So today, a degree taught in English does not replace a test result for the 186 visa.
Home Affairs also says some visas accept other forms of evidence. Always check the current 186 visa page before you decide to skip a test.
How Long Is Your English Test Result Valid?
As a general rule, your test result must be from the 3 years before your visa application. This is the rule shown on the Home Affairs Competent English page.
Here is a simple way to plan:
- Check the date on your test report.
- Count 3 years forward from that date.
- Make sure you lodge your visa application before that date.
If your test is close to expiry, do not wait. A late application with an expired result can be refused. In many cases, taking a new test is faster than fixing a refusal.
Tests You Cannot Use
Home Affairs does not accept English tests that are taken fully online, at home. These are also called remote-proctored tests.
Examples of tests that are not accepted:
- IELTS Online
- CELPIP Online
- LANGUAGECERT Academic Online
- MET Digital (taken at home)
- OET@Home
- TOEFL iBT Home Edition
Always book a test at an approved test centre. Check this before you pay. It can save you time and money.
English Requirement for Your Partner and Family
The Competent English rule is for the main applicant. Your family members have a lighter rule.
Family members aged 18 or over who apply with you may need to show “Functional English”. If they do not have it, the Government may charge an extra visa instalment fee for them. The fee and the exact test scores can change, so check the Home Affairs website before you lodge.
Children under 18 usually do not need to show English skills.
Other 186 Visa Requirements to Keep in Mind
English is only one part of the 186 visa. To get a good result, the other parts must also be ready. Here is a short overview:
- Employer nomination: An approved Australian employer must nominate you for a full-time job. The job must be genuine.
- Skills assessment: The Direct Entry stream needs a positive skills assessment for your occupation.
- Work experience: The Direct Entry stream needs relevant work experience in the nominated occupation. The Transition stream needs time working for your employer on a temporary skilled visa.
- Occupation list: For Direct Entry, your job must be on the Core Skills Occupation List.
- Health and character: You and your family must meet these checks.
- Age: There is an age limit for most applicants, with some exceptions.
Rules for these points change from time to time. Check the official 186 visa page or speak to a registered adviser before you lodge.
Common English Test Mistakes in 186 Visa Applications
Many 186 visa delays come from simple English test errors. Here are the ones we see most often.
1. Using old score tables
Many blogs still show the scores from before 7 August 2025. Using the wrong table can make you book the wrong test or aim for the wrong score.
2. Choosing a test that is not accepted
Home tests and online tests are not valid. A strong score on the wrong test gives you no benefit.
3. Missing the minimum in one part
Home Affairs checks each part. You can have a high speaking score and still fail if your writing is one point low.
4. Forgetting the TOEFL Australia setting
If you do not choose “Taking TOEFL for Australia” at booking, the result cannot be used for your visa.
5. Letting the result expire
Test results are valid for a set time. Waiting for the employer, the skills assessment or other documents can push you past the date.
6. Thinking an English degree is enough
For the 186 visa, studying in English no longer replaces a test result.
7. Ignoring the family rule
Partners aged 18 or over may need Functional English. Plan this early so you are not surprised by extra costs.
How to Prepare and Plan Your English Test
A little planning goes a long way. Use these steps.
Pick the test that suits you
Each test has a different style. Some people do better in IELTS. Others prefer PTE because it is computer-based. Try a free practice test for two or three options. Then choose the one that feels easiest.
Aim above the minimum
Do not aim for the exact minimum. Aim one level higher. This gives you a safety buffer on test day.
Practise all four skills
Many people are strong in reading but weak in speaking or writing. Spend more time on your weakest part.
Book early
Test centres can fill up. Book at least a few weeks before you need the result. Leave time for a retake if needed.
Match the test to your timeline
The best time to take your test is when your nomination and skills assessment are nearly ready. This keeps your result fresh when you lodge.
Keep your documents safe
Save your test report and any login details for online score sharing. Some tests need you to give Home Affairs access to your results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the English requirement for the 186 visa?
You need Competent English. For IELTS, this means at least 6 in each of the four parts. Other approved tests have their own minimum scores, shown in the tables above.
Is IELTS 6 each band enough for the 186 visa?
Yes. IELTS 6 in listening, reading, writing and speaking meets the Competent English level.
Can I use PTE for the 186 visa?
Yes. PTE Academic is accepted. The scores depend on your test date. For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, you need 47 in listening, 48 in reading, 51 in writing and 54 in speaking. For older tests, the minimum was 50 in each part.
Can I skip the English test for the 186 visa?
Only if you are a citizen of the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland and hold a valid passport from that country. Studying in English does not replace the test for the 186 visa.
How old can my English test be?
In general, the result must be from the 3 years before your visa application. Results from tests taken on or before 6 August 2025 can be used until 6 August 2028, depending on the visa.
Can I take my English test online at home?
No. Home Affairs does not accept tests taken fully online or at home. Book a test at an approved centre.
Does my partner need to take an English test?
Partners and other family members aged 18 or over may need Functional English. If they do not have it, an extra visa fee can apply. Check the current rules before you apply.
What is the English rule for the Labour Agreement stream?
It depends on the labour agreement. The agreement sets the English level. It may not be the same as Competent English.
What if I miss one band by a small score?
You must reach the minimum in each part. If you miss one part, you will need to retake the test. Some tests allow a single-skill retake for eligible visas. Check if this is allowed for the 186 visa before you book.
Does the English requirement apply to the Transition stream?
Yes. The main applicant in the Transition stream must also show Competent English.
Conclusion
The English requirement for the 186 visa is clear, but the details change often. The key points are simple. You need Competent English. You must reach the minimum score in all four parts. You must use an accepted test, taken at a test centre. And your result must be recent enough on the day you apply.
The biggest risk is not the test itself. It is using old information, the wrong test, or a result that has expired. A small mistake here can delay your permanent residency by months.
If you are not sure which test, score or timeline is right for you, speak to a registered Australian migration agent. An experienced Australian migration agent can check your situation, confirm the latest Home Affairs rules, and help you lodge a strong 186 visa application the first time.
Important: This article is general information only and is not legal or migration advice. Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the latest details on the Department of Home Affairs Competent English page before you apply.
