The following tables showing comparison tables of different English levels and test that Department of Home Affairs (DHA) accepts for different immigrant and non-immigrant visa purposes.
Functional English Level
Acceptable English Test
Required Test Score
International English Language Testing System (IELTS 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)
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)
An total band score of at least 30 based on the 4 test components
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
An total band score of at least 147 based on the 4 test components
Vocational English Level
Acceptable English Test
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training)
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)
4
4
14
14
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
36
36
36
36
Cambridge C1 Advanced test
154
154
154
154
Occupational English Test (OET)
B
B
B
B
Competent English Level
Acceptable English Test
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training)
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)
12
13
21
18
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
50
50
50
50
Cambridge C1 Advanced test
169
169
169
169
Occupational English Test (OET)
B
B
B
B
Proficient English Level
Acceptable English Test
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training)
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)
24
24
27
23
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
65
65
65
65
Cambridge C1 Advanced test
185
185
185
185
Occupational English Test (OET)
B
B
B
B
Superior English Level
Acceptable English Test
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training)
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)
28
29
30
26
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
79
79
79
79
Cambridge C1 Advanced test
200
200
200
200
Occupational English Test (OET)
A
A
A
A
NB. For Visa application purpose from Vocational to Superior Level, evidence should be provided that in the 3 years before Department of Home Affairs (DHA) invite to apply for the visa, the applicant achieved the claimed score.
For Vocational Level, evidence should be provided in the 12 months before you applied for the visa, you achieved the score.
Some testing centres are providing versions of their tests that you can take at home, such as TOEFL iBT – Special Home Edition, OET@Home and IELTS Indicator. DHA (Department of Home Affairs) do not currently accept these tests.