What is Competent English ?

To prove you have competent English, provide evidence of one of the following:

• That you are a citizen of and hold a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland, with your application. British National (Overseas) passports are not acceptable as evidence of competent English.
• You have an obtained one of the following English language test results:

Test	Score​​​
International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training​)	At least 6 fo​r each of the 4 components
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT - only accepted if taken on or before 25 July 2023)	At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)	At least 50 for each of the 4 components
Occupational English Test (OET)	At least B for each of the 4 components
​Cambridge C1 Advanced test	At least 169 in each of the 4 components

​​For the subclasses 189, 190, 489 and 491,​ if you are claiming partner points, your partner must also have competent English at the time of invitation.​

​Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation