Guide to English Language Requirements

Unless exempt from undertaking an English test, (see below for exemptions), the Student Visa requires you to do one of their specified English tests.

Full information is available at https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language/competent-english

The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) also has its own English requirements that are different to the Student Visa requirements (see below for CASA exemptions)

If you do need to do an English test, its important to choose the best test that satisfies both the Student Visa and CASA requirements.

IELTS is the best option to satisfy both Student Visa and CASA requirements

TOEFL iBT can be effective – if you score 71+ then all requirements are satisfied but if you score 64-70 you will meet student visa requirements but still need to be assessed on arrival by a CASA approved assessor,

Pearson, Cambridge English and the Occupational English Test (OET) are okay for the Student Visa however to meet CASA requirements you would need to be assessed on arrival by a CASA approved assessor.

Note: Your assessment with a CASA approved assessor will result in an ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) English Language Proficiency Level of between 1 and 6. The minimum required is Level 4 (a Native Speaker would usually be Level 6). You should be confident that if you achieve any of the test results outlined below, that you should achieve at least Level 4.

The minimum required IELTS score is 6.0 with none of the test scores (reading, writing, listening, speaking) below 5.5.

The IELTS test can ge “General” or “Academic”

Find an IELTS test center here: https://ielts.org/test-centres

The minimum TOEFL IBT test score for the Student Visa is 64 (at least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking) and for CASA the minimum overall test score is 71

Details of TOEFL test here: https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/about.html

Find a TOEFL IBT Test Center: https://www.ets.org/toefl/institutions/ibt/about/country-list.html

NOTE: The Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) only accepts scores from approved tests taken at secure test centers. The DHA does not accept scores from at-home or online tests, such as the TOEFL iBT Home Edition

The minimum Pearson PTE Academic test score for the Student Visa is 50.

Details of Pearson test here: https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-academic/test-format

Find a Pearson Test Center: https://www.pearsonpte.com/test-centers-and-fees

  • 1 Navigation Ruler
  • 1 Navigation Protractor
  • Navigation computer
  • Navigation lapboard
  • Aerodrome Information Publications (AIP’s)
  • Flight Training Manual
  • Maps and Charts (2 x WAC’s, PCA, VTC Melbourne, ERC)
  • ERSA
  • Visual Flight Rules Guide (VFRG)
  • Log Book

Minimum score: At least B for each of the 4 components

https://oet.com/

EXEMPTIONS FROM ENGLISH TESTING

Student Visa Exemptions

You do not need to give us evidence of an English test score with your visa application if one of the following applies:
  • you are a citizen and hold a passport from UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Republic of Ireland
  • you are enrolled in a principal course of study that is a standalone English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) – this means if you do not have the required English but are intending to undertake ELICOS first, then you don’t need to meet the standards outlined above. See below for minimum requirements to undertake ELICOS
  • you have completed at least 5 years’ study in English in Australia, UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, or the Republic of Ireland
  • in the 2 years before applying for the student visa you completed the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education in Australia in English while you held a student visa
  • in the 2 years before applying for the student visa you completed a substantial component of a course that would qualify you under the Australian Qualifications Framework at the Certificate IV or higher level, while you held a student visa.

Note: We may need you to give us evidence of an English test score with your visa application if you hold a British National Overseas (BNO) passport.

 
 
CASA Exemptions
 

To show your general English language proficiency you must provide proof that you:

  • Completed or are completing secondary school in Australia or New Zealand, or the equivalent in an English-speaking country
  • Worked in Australia or New Zealand for at least 3 of the last 5 years
  • Worked in a specified country for at least 3 of the last 5 years and successfully completed an English language proficiency test

What can I do if I don’t have the required level of English?

Depending on your current standard of English, you may have 2 options:

Option 1: Continue undertaking English training at home until you reach the required standard or at least one of the scores below for ELICOS

Option 2: If you have the required minimum standard for ELICOS (English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students), consider undertaking a preliminary course of English in Australia to reach the required level. We have a partner college in Melbourne that offers ELICOS.

The scores below are the minimum scores required it you intend doing ELICOS before starting your Pilot Training course with Australian National Airline College.

10-week program:

    • IELTS: Overall 5.5
    • PTE: Overall 42
    • TOEFL iBT: Overall 46
    • CAE: Overall 162

20-week program:

    • IELTS: Overall 5.0
    • PTE: Overall 36
    • TOEFL iBT: Overall 34
    • CAE: Overall 154
Contact Us
Translate »