Short answer: As of 2026 you need at least Competent English — typically IELTS 6.0 in each of the four components — just to be eligible for a subclass 189 or 190 skilled visa. Proficient (7.0 each) adds around 10 points and Superior (8.0 each) adds around 20. Confirm on the official site.
Australia's General Skilled Migration works on a points test, and English is one of the biggest levers you control. Competent English is a hard gate: without it your Expression of Interest cannot be a valid skilled application at all.
Above that gate, English is scored — and because invitation rounds for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) are highly competitive, the difference between a 7.0 and an 8.0 profile is frequently the difference between an invitation and a long wait.
The Department of Home Affairs recognises IELTS (Academic and General Training) alongside PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET and others, but note that fully online, at-home versions of these tests are not accepted.
English levels and the points they earn (as of 2026)
| English level | Typical IELTS (each of the four components) | Points (as of 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Competent English | At least 6.0 in each component | 0 points — but mandatory to be eligible |
| Proficient English | At least 7.0 in each component | Around 10 points |
| Superior English | At least 8.0 in each component | Around 20 points |
Two structural points sit alongside English. A subclass 190 nomination by a state or territory typically adds around 5 points over the otherwise-identical 189, and a partner who has at least Competent English (or who is an Australian citizen/PR) can add roughly 5 points to your total.
Age is also scored and capped: applicants must generally be under 45, with the largest age points typically going to the 25–32 bracket. All of these figures are set by the Department and can change — treat them as indicative and verify each before you rely on it.
What this means for you
First, clear the gate: you cannot lodge a valid skilled EOI without Competent English, so a 6.0-in-each-band IELTS profile is the minimum, not a target. Then treat English as a scoring strategy.
The pass mark to be invited to apply is at least 65 points, but that floor is misleading — recent 189 invitation rounds have typically gone to candidates well above it (often observed in the 85–95+ range for popular occupations), while 190 candidates typically need a strong total plus a state nomination.
Because English can swing 20 points on its own, moving from a 7.0 to an 8.0 profile is often the single most cost-effective way to lift a stalled score.
The trap is the per-component rule. Superior English needs 8.0 in every one of listening, reading, writing and speaking; a single 7.5 knocks you down to the Proficient tier and costs roughly 10 points, and one 6.5 among strong scores can cost the tier entirely.
Writing and Speaking are where most candidates lose the half-band, so target the weakest skill deliberately rather than chasing an overall average that the points test does not even use. Use the tools below to measure your current per-skill gap before you book.
Before you rely on these numbers
Points, English levels and the pass mark are set by the Department of Home Affairs and change through policy and invitation rounds; always confirm the current requirement on the official source: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au — English language requirements and the relevant subclass points table.
This guidance reflects those sources as of July 2026 and is general information, not migration advice — a registered migration agent and the official page always take precedence.