The 186 visa lets skilled workers, who are nominated by their employer, live and work in Australia permanently.
One of the criteria of 186 visa is that the applicant must meet the English requirements for the stream they apply under. The question that we often come across is what are the English requirements for my 186 Direct Entry or Transition stream visa.
In this article, we will explore these requirements based on the 186 visa stream you are applying under. The 186 visa has 3 streams:
- Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) Direct Entry stream
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Temporary Residence Transition stream
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Labour agreement stream
186 visa English requirements- Direct Entry stream
You must have at least competent English to be granted this stream of the visa.
On 7 August 2025, the English language tests approved for Australian visa purposes changed. If you took a test before this date, your result may still be valid as proof of competent English for up to 3 years, depending on the visa subclass.
To prove you have competent English, show us evidence of one of the following:
- That you are a citizen of, and hold a valid passport issued by, one of the following countries:
- Canada
- New Zealand
- The Republic of Ireland
- The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- The United States of America
- You achieved one of the test scores in Table 1 or Table 2, in the 3 years before your visa application, depending on the visa subclass.
| Test | Scores |
|---|---|
| Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced) | In each of the 4 test components, at least
|
| Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program General (CELPIP General) | In each of the 4 test components, at least
|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic)
The department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. To find out if you are eligible, check the relevant visa page. |
In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS General Training)
The department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. To find out if you are eligible, check the relevant visa page. |
In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Michigan English Test (MET)
The department accepts MET test results that include Single Section Retake (SSR) for eligible visas. To find out if you are eligible, check the relevant visa page. |
In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Occupational English Test (OET)
This test is developed for health professionals. The OET scoring format was previously alphabetical and changed to numerical on 7 August 2025. OET does not currently provide overall test results on test score reports. However, you can get your overall OET score results by contacting OET. |
In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| LANGUAGECERT Academic Test (LANGUGECERT Academic) | In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
PTE Academic has the same name as the previous version of the test that was accepted before 7 August 2025. However, the test and scores are different. |
In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT test was not approved for Australian visa purposes. |
In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Test | Scores |
|---|---|
| Cambridge C1 Advanced Test (C1 Advanced)
Previously known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) From 12 February 2024 to 6 August 2025, the department will only accept results from the Cambridge C1 Advanced paper-based test. The department will still accept tests taken before 12 February 2024 and within specified validity periods, for C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests. |
In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training)
From 14 December 2022, the department accepts IELTS test results that include One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. To find out if you are eligible, check the relevant visa page. |
In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Occupational English Test (OET)
This test is developed for health professionals. The OET scoring format was previously alphabetical and changed to numerical on 7 August 2025. OET does not currently provide overall test results on test score reports. However, you can get your overall OET score results by contacting OET. |
In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
PTE Academic has the same name as the test available from 7 August 2025, however, the test and scores are different. |
In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
From 26 July 2023 to 4 May 2024, the TOEFL iBT test was not approved for Australian visa purposes. |
In each of the 4 test components, at least:
|
* Test results from a test taken on or before 6 August 2025, may be used as evidence of English proficiency for visa purposes until 6 August 2028, inclusive. This will depend on the visa.
Some visas will allow you to submit other forms of evidence. To find out, check the relevant visa pages.
Online test restrictions
The department does not accept evidence from English language tests that are delivered completely online (also known as ‘remote-proctored’ or ‘at-home’).
Examples of online tests that we do not accept for Australian visa purposes include:
- CELPIP Online
- IELTS Online
- LANGUAGECERT Academic Online
- MET Digital (taken at-home)
- OET@Home
- TOEFL iBT – Home Edition
When to provide proof
When you must have taken your test and how long the test result is valid
| Subclass | Applicant | When to provide | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) | Main/primary | time of application | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
| Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) – Temporary Residence Transition Stream | Main/primary | time of application | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
| Business Innovation and Investment (provisional) subclass 188) (Entrepreneur stream) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189)(Points tested stream) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Regional (provisional) (subclass 489)(first provisional stream) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Work Regional (provisional) (subclass 491) | Main/primary | By time of invitation | Test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of invitation |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) | Main/Primary | time of application | The test cannot have been undertaken more than 3 years before the date of application |
For the subclasses 189, 190, 489 and 491 if you are claiming partner points then your partner must also have Competent English at time of invitation.
186 visa English requirements Temporary Residence Transition stream
You must have at least Competent English as above.
From 16 November 2019, there is no exemption to the English language requirement for this stream of the visa.
See more about exemptions in the relevant:
English language requirement and exemption for 186 TRT
You must demonstrate that you have the required English language proficiency for the visa and stream that you are applying for unless you are exempt.
For the Temporary Residence Transition or Direct Entry streams, applicants are required to have at least competent English.
As a result, you must provide evidence of having achieved the required minimum test scores in a specified English language test that has been conducted within three years immediately prior to the date of your application unless you hold a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland as evidence that you are a citizen of that country.
186 visa Engish requirements Labour agreement stream
Applicants for the Labour Agreement Stream must demonstrate that they have English language skills that are suitable to perform the occupation to which the position relates. This will be the same level of English as for the other visa streams outlined above, unless otherwise specified in the labour agreement.
187 visa
187 visa English: If you are applying for the 187 RSMS Visa through the Temporary Residence Transition stream and have completed at least five years of full-time study in secondary or higher education where the medium of instruction was delivered in English. You must hold a Diploma or above to be eligible for this exemption.
The applicant needs to satisfy the minimum score for each of the test components. Your average score is not relevant. You need to achieve the required result in one examination seating. You can’t accumulate the required scores in each test component over multiple examinations. Both Academic ad General Training IELTS examinations are accepted.
Include family
You can:
- include family members in your application when you apply
- add family members to your application after you apply but before we decide on your visa
For this visa, your family members are:
- your partner
- your dependent child or stepchild
- your partner’s dependent child or stepchild
- the dependent child or stepchild of your or your partner’s dependent child or stepchild
You can also include someone who holds a subclass 457 visa or subclass 482 visa if we granted them that visa on the basis they are a member of your family.
Second instalment
You will need to pay an extra charge called a second instalment for any family member aged 18 years or older who:
- applies for the visa with you, and
- has less than Functional English
The second instalment for family members who apply for the visa with you is AUD4,890.
If you need to pay the second instalment for a family member, we will send you an invoice after you have met all other requirements for the visa.
To prove you have functional English, show evidence 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. *British National (Overseas) passports are not acceptable as evidence of functional English.
-
- or
-
- 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 Englishor
- you undertook your education at:
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
-
- or
- in the 12 months before you applied for the visa, you scored one of the following:
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) 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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