[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":342},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-2026-06-12-english-language-points":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"author":6,"body":7,"coverImage":316,"dataMonth":317,"description":318,"extension":319,"faqs":320,"meta":329,"navigation":330,"path":331,"publishedAt":332,"seo":333,"stem":334,"summary":335,"tags":336,"__hash__":341},"blog\u002Fblog\u002F2026-06-12-english-language-points.md","How English language points work for skilled visas: 2026 guide","Migrant Hub",{"type":8,"value":9,"toc":293},"minimark",[10,30,35,38,45,55,64,67,132,135,139,146,149,152,157,160,168,172,175,179,186,194,198,201,204,208,221,224,228,231,239,243,247,250,254,257,261,264,268,271,275,283,287],[11,12,13,14,19,20,24,25,29],"p",{},"Your English language score is one of the fastest ways to add points in Australia's skilled migration points test. Depending on whether you demonstrate Competent, Proficient, or Superior English, you can pick up 0, 10, or 20 additional points toward the 65-point minimum required for the ",[15,16,18],"a",{"href":17},"\u002Fvisas\u002F189-skilled-independent","Skilled Independent (Subclass 189)",", ",[15,21,23],{"href":22},"\u002Fvisas\u002F190-skilled-nominated","Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190)",", and ",[15,26,28],{"href":27},"\u002Fvisas\u002F491-skilled-regional","Skilled Regional (Subclass 491)"," visas.",[31,32,34],"h2",{"id":33},"what-do-competent-proficient-and-superior-english-mean","What do Competent, Proficient, and Superior English mean?",[11,36,37],{},"The Department of Home Affairs (the Department) defines three levels of English for points-test purposes. Each level has specific test score thresholds across four components: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.",[11,39,40,44],{},[41,42,43],"strong",{},"Competent English"," is the baseline. It satisfies the minimum language requirement for the above visas but earns no bonus points.",[11,46,47,50,51,54],{},[41,48,49],{},"Proficient English"," is a higher standard and earns ",[41,52,53],{},"10 points",".",[11,56,57,60,61,54],{},[41,58,59],{},"Superior English"," is the highest standard and earns ",[41,62,63],{},"20 points",[11,65,66],{},"Below is how each level maps to the two most common approved tests — IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic). Other approved tests include TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), and OET (Occupational English Test), all of which have equivalent thresholds.",[68,69,70,89],"table",{},[71,72,73],"thead",{},[74,75,76,80,83,86],"tr",{},[77,78,79],"th",{},"Level",[77,81,82],{},"Points",[77,84,85],{},"IELTS (each band)",[77,87,88],{},"PTE Academic (each component)",[90,91,92,106,119],"tbody",{},[74,93,94,97,100,103],{},[95,96,43],"td",{},[95,98,99],{},"0",[95,101,102],{},"At least 6 in each component",[95,104,105],{},"At least 50 in each component",[74,107,108,110,113,116],{},[95,109,49],{},[95,111,112],{},"10",[95,114,115],{},"At least 7 in each component",[95,117,118],{},"At least 65 in each component",[74,120,121,123,126,129],{},[95,122,59],{},[95,124,125],{},"20",[95,127,128],{},"At least 8 in each component",[95,130,131],{},"At least 79 in each component",[11,133,134],{},"Every component must meet or exceed the threshold — a single low score in one component means you fall to the lower tier, even if the other three are higher.",[31,136,138],{"id":137},"how-the-points-are-calculated-in-practice","How the points are calculated in practice",[11,140,141,142,145],{},"The English points sit inside the broader points test, which also covers age, qualifications, work experience, partner skills, regional study, and other factors. You cannot claim Proficient or Superior English unless you hold a test result that meets ",[41,143,144],{},"all four components"," at the required score.",[11,147,148],{},"For example: if you sit IELTS and score L 8.0 \u002F R 8.0 \u002F W 7.5 \u002F S 8.0, your writing component (7.5) does not meet the Superior threshold of 8.0 in every band. You would be awarded Proficient English (10 points), not Superior.",[11,150,151],{},"There is no averaging. The test is component-by-component, and the lowest component determines your level.",[153,154,156],"h3",{"id":155},"claiming-english-points-in-your-eoi","Claiming English points in your EOI",[11,158,159],{},"When you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, you self-assess your English level and enter your test details. The Department verifies these during visa processing, not at EOI stage. If your claimed level cannot be supported by your test results when the visa application is assessed, your application can be refused or your points score reduced.",[11,161,162,163,167],{},"If you want to understand how English points interact with your overall points score and where your EOI sits relative to invitation cutoffs, you can ",[15,164,166],{"href":165},"\u002Fdashboard\u002Foccupation-rankings","check current occupation rankings on the Migrant Hub dashboard"," to see what scores are actually being invited.",[153,169,171],{"id":170},"test-validity","Test validity",[11,173,174],{},"Most English test results are accepted for three years from the date of the test for points-test purposes. Check the Department of Home Affairs page for current rules, as validity periods can vary by test type.",[153,176,178],{"id":177},"native-english-speakers-and-deemed-status","Native English speakers and deemed status",[11,180,181,182,185],{},"Applicants who are passport holders of the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland may be deemed to have Competent English without sitting a test. However, ",[41,183,184],{},"deemed Competent English earns 0 points"," — the same as a tested Competent result. To claim Proficient or Superior points, you must sit an approved test regardless of your passport.",[11,187,188,189,193],{},"For context on how your English points combine with other factors to influence your invitation chances, the post ",[15,190,192],{"href":191},"\u002Fblog\u002F2026-06-08-skillselect-eoi-explained","How SkillSelect EOI ranking actually works in 2026"," breaks down how the Department ranks EOIs when deciding who gets invited.",[31,195,197],{"id":196},"who-english-points-affect-most","Who English points affect most",[11,199,200],{},"For most applicants, English is not the hardest factor to optimise — but the difference between Proficient (10 points) and Superior (20 points) is 10 points, which is substantial in a competitive pool.",[11,202,203],{},"In recent invitation rounds, many high-demand occupations have been clearing at points scores well above the 65-point minimum. An applicant who can push from Proficient to Superior English gains 10 points without any change to their age, qualifications, or work experience — meaning a well-timed resit of IELTS or PTE can meaningfully change their position in the pool.",[153,205,207],{"id":206},"when-it-applies-to-the-189-190-and-491","When it applies to the 189, 190, and 491",[11,209,210,211,19,214,24,217,220],{},"All three visas — ",[15,212,213],{"href":17},"189",[15,215,216],{"href":22},"190",[15,218,219],{"href":27},"491"," — use the same English points tiers. The thresholds are identical across all three subclasses.",[11,222,223],{},"The 190 and 491 also require state or territory nomination, which can add 5 or 15 points respectively to your score, but the English component works identically to the 189.",[153,225,227],{"id":226},"retesting-strategy","Retesting strategy",[11,229,230],{},"If you currently hold Competent English results and want to claim points, sitting a full resit targeting Proficient thresholds is the logical path. If you hold Proficient and are competitive but still not receiving invitations, a resit targeting Superior may be worth considering — especially if your occupation's cutoff is elevated. Keep in mind that some applicants find certain components (writing in particular) harder to push to 8.0 in IELTS or 79 in PTE Academic, so preparation time should be factored into your planning.",[11,232,233,234,238],{},"Given the points test is under active policy review — the ",[15,235,237],{"href":236},"\u002Fblog\u002F2026-05-federal-budget-skilled-migration","2026–27 Federal Budget signalled changes to how the points test is structured"," — it is worth checking current Department guidance before making decisions based solely on historical thresholds.",[31,240,242],{"id":241},"common-questions","Common questions",[153,244,246],{"id":245},"does-claimed-english-level-affect-when-i-receive-an-invitation","Does claimed English level affect when I receive an invitation?",[11,248,249],{},"Yes, indirectly. English points are part of your total points score, and SkillSelect ranks EOIs by points score first, then by the date you submitted your EOI as a tiebreaker. A higher English level means a higher total score, which places you higher in the queue for your occupation.",[153,251,253],{"id":252},"can-i-update-my-english-score-in-an-existing-eoi","Can I update my English score in an existing EOI?",[11,255,256],{},"Yes. You can update your EOI in SkillSelect to reflect a new test result if you resit and achieve a higher score. Your date of effect (the date your EOI was submitted or last updated in a way that changes your score) may change depending on how SkillSelect treats the update, so check the current rules before making changes.",[153,258,260],{"id":259},"is-ielts-better-than-pte-for-australian-skilled-migration","Is IELTS better than PTE for Australian skilled migration?",[11,262,263],{},"Neither test is preferred by the Department — both are approved, and both produce equivalent outcomes at each level tier. The choice comes down to which test you perform better on. Many applicants find PTE Academic more predictable in scoring due to its computer-based format, but individual results vary.",[153,265,267],{"id":266},"what-if-my-test-has-expired-can-i-still-use-it","What if my test has expired — can I still use it?",[11,269,270],{},"Generally, test results must be recent at the time of visa application lodgement, not just at EOI submission. If your result has passed its validity period, you will typically need to resit before lodging a visa application. See the Department of Home Affairs page for current validity rules, as these can differ by test type.",[153,272,274],{"id":273},"do-english-points-apply-to-employer-sponsored-visas-like-the-482","Do English points apply to employer-sponsored visas like the 482?",[11,276,277,278,282],{},"The points test does not apply to the ",[15,279,281],{"href":280},"\u002Fvisas\u002F482-skills-in-demand-sid-visa","Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482)",". That visa has its own English requirement, but it is a pass\u002Ffail threshold — there are no bonus points for higher English proficiency. English points are specific to the points-tested visas: 189, 190, and 491.",[31,284,286],{"id":285},"where-to-go-next","Where to go next",[11,288,289,290,54],{},"See how English points interact with your occupation's current invitation cutoffs on the ",[15,291,292],{"href":165},"Migrant Hub occupation rankings dashboard",{"title":294,"searchDepth":295,"depth":295,"links":296},"",2,[297,298,304,308,315],{"id":33,"depth":295,"text":34},{"id":137,"depth":295,"text":138,"children":299},[300,302,303],{"id":155,"depth":301,"text":156},3,{"id":170,"depth":301,"text":171},{"id":177,"depth":301,"text":178},{"id":196,"depth":295,"text":197,"children":305},[306,307],{"id":206,"depth":301,"text":207},{"id":226,"depth":301,"text":227},{"id":241,"depth":295,"text":242,"children":309},[310,311,312,313,314],{"id":245,"depth":301,"text":246},{"id":252,"depth":301,"text":253},{"id":259,"depth":301,"text":260},{"id":266,"depth":301,"text":267},{"id":273,"depth":301,"text":274},{"id":285,"depth":295,"text":286},"\u002Fblog\u002Fcovers\u002Fenglish-language-points.svg",null,"Your English language score is one of the fastest ways to add points in Australia's skilled migration points test. Depending on whether you demonstrate Competent, Proficient, or Superior English, you can pick up 0, 10, or 20 additional points toward the 65-point minimum required for the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190), and Skilled Regional (Subclass 491) visas.","md",[321,322,324,326,327],{"question":246,"answer":249},{"question":253,"answer":323},"Yes. You can update your EOI in SkillSelect to reflect a new test result if you resit and achieve a higher score. Your date of effect may change depending on how SkillSelect treats the update, so check the current rules before making changes.",{"question":260,"answer":325},"Neither test is preferred by the Department — both are approved and produce equivalent outcomes at each level tier. The choice comes down to which test you perform better on. Many applicants find PTE Academic more predictable in scoring due to its computer-based format, but individual results vary.",{"question":267,"answer":270},{"question":274,"answer":328},"The points test does not apply to the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482). That visa has its own English requirement, but it is a pass\u002Ffail threshold — there are no bonus points for higher English proficiency. English points are specific to the points-tested visas: 189, 190, and 491.",{},true,"\u002Fblog\u002F2026-06-12-english-language-points","2026-06-12",{"title":5,"description":318},"blog\u002F2026-06-12-english-language-points","Competent, Proficient, and Superior English each earn different points scores in Australia's skilled migration points test. Here's exactly how it works.",[213,216,219,337,338,339,340],"points-test","english","skilled-migration","explainer","3sLllpPII8Xl8E3yJBV4IUEWgKlAiFDs6kxou62CshQ",1786354963981]