Australia is predominantly an English-speaking country. In all the official sectors, people interact with each other in English. Therefore, if you have to study in an Australian institute, you must be fluent in at least Functional English. One of the main Requirements For Visa of the Australian Student Visa 500 is also English language proficiency . However, the required score of an English test can vary from one university to the other and according to course levels.
So, before applying, you must check it from the website. In this write-up, we discuss the English language requirement in more detail.
What is Cl. 500.213?
Cl. 500.213 is the code for the English language proficiency requirement. It states that as per the requirement by the Ministry, the applicant should provide evidence that they have the English language proficiency level that satisfies the requirements standardized in the IMMI 18/015.
What are the specific English language requirements you should fulfil for the visa application?
Before you apply for the Student Visa Subclass 500, you can look at the Document Checklist Tool available on the website of the Department of Immigration.
After you submit your application, the Department can ask you for your English language evidence anytime during the application assessment, even if the Document Checklist Tool tells that the English language skill is not required.
The evidence of your English language skill includes the following.
- You should have obtained a specific test score in an internationally recognized English language test, which the Department approves.
- Someone falling into an exemption category will not be required to submit the test score.
Which English language tests can you take?
There are usually five English language tests you can choose from. A table is given here showing the names of the English language test providers and the minimum score requirements that you must meet for your Visa Subclass 500 application. One point to note here is that the results of the tests remain valid for only 2 years, and you have to make the application within that period.
| English Language Test Provider Name | Minimum Overall Band Score Requirement | Minimum Score and at least 10 Weeks English Language Intensive Courses For Overseas Students (ELICOS) | Minimum Score and at least 20 Weeks ELICOS |
| IELTS – International English Language Testing System | 5.5 | 5 | 4.5 |
| Cambridge English Advanced (Certificate in Advanced English) | 162 | 154 | 147 |
| TOEFL iBT – Internet-Based Test of Test Of English As Foreign Language | 46 | 35 | 32 |
| OET – Occupational English Test | B in each component | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| PTE Academic – Pearson Test for English Academic | 42 | 36 | 30 |
Who is exempted from providing an English test score?
You will not need to submit an English test score with the visa application if you satisfy one of the following conditions.
- You are a passport holder and citizen from English-speaking countries like the USA, the UK, New Zealand, Canada, or the Republic of Ireland.
- If you are a Defense-sponsored or Foreign Affairs student, you will not need to prove your English language skills. The Requirements For Visa also applies to a Secondary Exchange Student.
- Enrolling in specific courses is also an exemption condition. If you enroll in a registered school course, a registered postgraduate research course, a course registered to be delivered not in English, or an ELICOS, you can get this benefit.
- Suppose you have studied for 5 years in English in any country like Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA, South Africa, Republic of Ireland, or Canada. In that case, you will not need to show any English language proficiency.
- You have studied and completed either the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education or any other course that leads to an AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) qualification at a higher level like Certificate IV. The course should have been taught in English.
What are the other requirements you should meet?
Having fluency in the English language is one of the criteria. But a Requirements For Visa application requires other criteria too. A visa consultant from Perth can help you understand these conditions.
Age
If you are taking admission in a school, your age must be at least 6. For years 9, 10, 11, and 12, your age should be under 17, 18, 19, and 20, respectively.
Confirmation of Enrolment
Before you apply, you must get the CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment) statement from your university. It will confirm that the university accepts you in a registered course.
Welfare arrangements
This condition applies explicitly to applicants whose age is less than 18. The arrangements will include the following.
- You have to nominate a guardian for you. The person can be your parent, a relative, or a legal custodian who must be above 21.
- You have to arrange the CAAW (Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare).
- If you are a Secondary Exchange Student, you have to provide the AASES form. AASES stands for Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Student form.
- If you are a Defense or Foreign Affairs student, you must have your arrangements approved by the relevant Ministry.
Health insurance cover
- All the overseas students in Australia must have an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
- The OSHC should start from the day you set your feet on Australian soil. That is why you should not enter Australia before the OSHC begins, and it should remain valid throughout your stay period.
- For applicants within Australia, there should be no gap between the health cover required for the previous visa and the OSHC.
- For the arrangement of the health cover, you can take help from your education provider.
- If you bring your family members to Australia, you should go for a family policy.
Financial requirements
You must provide evidence of having enough financial strength to support your stay. As per the current regulations, an international student in Australia must have AUD 20290 to cover all the necessary costs in a year. If your parents or spouse takes the financial responsibility, they must provide this evidence.
Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement
You must prove to the Australian Immigration Department that you are coming to Australia to study and have no intention to settle down here. In the personal statement, you have to include the following information:
- Previous academic details
- A gap in the study, if applicable
- Details of your current employment
- Obligations to your home country
- The political and economic situation in the home country
- Prospects of this course
Health requirements
- You must not have any disease that may threaten Australian public life.
- Your health condition should not lead to any significant community service or healthcare costs.
- You have to pass the health examinations if suggested by the authorities.
Character requirements
- You should not have any serious criminal record.
- You should not have been involved in any criminal activity or any illegal organisation.
- You should answer all the answers truthfully.
Australian values statement
You must sign the Australian values statement, thus confirming that you will respect Australian laws and lifestyle.
Where to find help?
A professional and experienced migration agent Perth will be the perfect person for help. There are many migration consultancy firms whom you can approach. They usually have top-rated immigration lawyers and consultants who can help you understand the Australian immigration procedure and get the best outcome.