What is Functional English ?

​​To prove you have functional English, show evidence of one of the following:

• 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. British National (Overseas) passports are not acceptable as evidence of functional English.
• You completed a degree, a higher degree, a diploma or a trade certificate in an institution in or outside Australia that required at least two years of full-time study and all instructions were in English.
• You undertook your education at:​ How long you must have studied at particular educational institutions

  ​Institution	Study time
  A primary school and secondary school where all instruction was in English in or outside Australia	All years of primary and at least 3 years of secondary study
  A secondary school in or outside Australia where all instruction was in English	At least 5 years of study
  An institution in Australia where all instruction was in English	At least 1 year of full-time study towards an award
  An institution in Australia where all instruction was in English	The part-time equivalent of 1 year of full-time study towards an award

• In the 12 months before you applied for the visa, you scored one of the following: Specified test results

  ​Test	Score​
  International English Language Testing System (IELT​​S Academic or General Training​​)	An average band score of at least 4.5 based on the 4 test components
  Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT - only accepted if taken on or before 25 July ​2023)	A total band score of at least 32 based on the 4 test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening
  Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)	A total band score of at least 30 based on the 4 test components
  Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)	A total band score of at least 147 based on​ the 4 test components

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