Australia English Language Requirements
Changes to the Australia Subclass 457 Visa Program – English Language Requirements
What are the English language requirements?
A new English language requirement was introduced to the Subclass 457 visa program on 1 July 2007 by Australia.
Since 1 July 2007, certain primary Subclass 457 visa applicants have been required to have proficiency in English equivalent to an average band score of 4.5 across the four test components in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. Applicants must meet a higher level of English proficiency where this is required for licensing or registration in their nominated occupation. Applicants will need to detail their English language skills on their visa application form.
Important: You may be required to take an IELTS test to demonstrate your English language skills.
Recent changes to the English language requirements
On 1 April 2009, the Australia government raised the minimum English language requirement for all Subclass 457 visa applicants in the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO) , as one of the immediate measures to improve the integrity of the Subclass 457 visa program.
The change to the English language requirement from IELTS 4.5 to IELTS 5 is effective from 14 April 2009. This new requirement will apply to all Subclass 457 visa applicants who are nominated for an occupation in ASCO Major Groups 4-7 or chefs and head chefs (ASCO 3322-11 and ASCO 3322-01) who lodge their application on or after 14 April 2009.
This change in the English language threshold was introduced to address concerns about the exploitation of workers from non-English speaking countries and to align the Subclass 457 visa English language requirement with the minimum migration requirements for the employer sponsored permanent visa programs such as the Employer Nomination Scheme and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.
What is IELTS?
IELTS is a test designed to assess an applicant’s English language ability. It has an academic test and a general training test – applicants only need to take the general training test unless advised otherwise by a registration or licensing body.
Do current Subclass 457 visa holders of Australia need to meet these requirements?
Current Australia visa holders will not be required to demonstrate their English skills while on their current visa (unless required by licensing or registration).
Current Australia visa holders who apply for a further Subclass 457–Business (Long Stay) visa after 14 April 2009 will need to meet the new English language requirement of IELTS 5, unless they are in an exempted person category described above.
For full details, visit http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/changes-eng-req.htm
