The English language threshold for this visa is at the competent English level, which requires a minimum score of six in each of the four components of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test or other language test and score specified by the Minister.

Meeting the English language threshold is necessary to apply for a visa, but no points will be awarded for competent English.

If you are a passport holder or citizen of Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom (UK), or United States of America (USA), you automatically meet the English language threshold.

To claim points for proficient or superior English language ability, you must complete a relevant English language test and obtain the necessary score.

Your test results must be no more than two years old when you make your visa application and must be completed before your application is lodged.

The following table shows the evidence required and points awarded for each English language level:

Level: Superior Evidence required: IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) Number to show you have a band score of at least eight on each of the four components - speaking, reading, listening and writing, or evidence that you undertook a language test and attained a score as specified by the Minister Points awarded: 20

Level: Proficient Evidence required: IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) Number to show you have a band score of at least seven on each of the four components - speaking, reading, listening and writing, or evidence that you undertook a language test and attained a score as specified by the Minister Points awarded: 10

Level: Competent Evidence required: evidence that you hold an eligible passport, or IELTS TRF Number to show you have a band score of at least six on each of the four components - speaking, reading, listening and writing, or evidence that you undertook a language test and attained a score as specified by the Minister.

Points awarded: 0

What English language test is necessary?

In most cases, you will need to take the general training test of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). However, for some occupations, a higher level of English proficiency may be required as part of the skills assessment application. In such cases, the relevant skills assessing body may request that you take the academic test.

For secondary applicants who need to demonstrate functional English proficiency, an IELTS test may be used if the test was taken no more than 12 months before the visa application was submitted.

It is mandatory for you and any accompanying applicants to undergo a medical examination to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the Australian community. This examination is aimed at identifying any potential health risks or conditions that may pose a threat to the health of the community.

To be deemed free from any health risks, you and your accompanying applicants must not have any diseases or medical conditions that are considered to be a risk to public health.

The medical examination is important for several reasons, including:

• reducing public expenditure on healthcare and community services, which has an impact on social security, pensions, and allowances;
• minimizing the risk of exposure to potential health hazards and illnesses for the Australian community;
• improving access to healthcare and community services that are in short supply.

In most cases, all visa applicants must meet the health requirements, and sometimes even their dependents must meet the requirements, irrespective of whether they are immigrating to Australia or not.

In certain circumstances, if a condition or disease that requires further medical examination is identified, you may be required to sign a Health Undertaking and Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC) to meet the health requirement.

Being of good character is a requirement for all visa applicants. As part of this, you will be required to provide police clearance certificates from any country where you have lived for more than 12 months in the last 10 years since turning 16 years of age. This is to ensure that you have not been involved in any criminal activity that would make you a risk to the Australian community. It is important that you provide accurate and complete information about your criminal history, as failure to do so could result in your visa application being refused.

You are required to provide a certified copy of the full birth certificate for the primary applicant as well as any secondary applicants. In case the birth certificate is not available in the country of birth, other documents that can be submitted to confirm the birth details are:

• Baptism certificate
• Court documents that verify the date of birth
• Copies of military service records or discharge papers
• Family book showing the date of birth
• Hospital birth records
• Government-issued ID document
• Passport
• School records

Note that this list is not exhaustive, and there may be other acceptable documents that can be submitted to confirm the birth details.