Our Policy Manual

English language policy

Purpose

This policy sets out the Authority’s English language standard to become a licensed immigration adviser.

Competency standard 5: English language

Competency Standard 5 of the Immigration Advisers Competency Standards 2010 relates to English language.

To meet the minimum standard of competency a person must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Registrar that they can “competently complete documentation in the English language to a high standard” and “competently conduct oral communications in the English language to a high standard”.

Evidence required by the Registrar

Applicants may demonstrate their English language skills in the following ways:

an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test
evidence of primary schooling and at least three years secondary schooling or equivalent where the education was conducted in the English language
evidence of five years secondary schooling in schools where the education was conducted in the English language.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Applicants can provide evidence of competency by completing the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test with minimum academic scores of reading 6.5; listening 6.5; speaking 6.5; and writing 6.5 with a minimum overall IELTS academic band score of 7.0 or over:

The Authority will accept the following conditions for IELTS test results only:

the test report form must be either the original or a certified copy
the test was taken by the applicant in the five years preceding the date on which the Authority receives an application
the test was taken by the applicant more than five years before the date on which the Authority receives an application but is accompanied by evidence that they have lived and worked in an English speaking country since taking the test.

The Authority accepts evidence of IELTS test scores achieved in more than one sitting if the applicant has:

taken the second and any subsequent IELTS tests within 12 calendar months of taking the first
achieved a minimum academic overall band score of 7.0 in each test.

IELTS evidential requirements

Applicants can provide evidence of competency by completing the IELTS test with minimum academic scores of reading 6.5; listening 6.5; speaking 6.5; and writing 6.5 with a minimum overall IELTS academic band score of 7.0 or over.

The Authority will accept the following conditions for IELTS test results only:

the test report form must be either the original or a certified copy;
the test was taken by the applicant in the five years preceding the date on which the Authority receives an application; or
the test was taken by the applicant more than five years before the date on which the Authority receives an application but is accompanied by evidence that they have lived and worked in an English speaking country since taking the test.

The Authority accepts evidence of IELTS test scores achieved in more than one sitting if the applicant has:

taken the second and any subsequent IELTS tests within 12 calendar months of taking the first; and
achieved a minimum academic overall band score of 7.0 in each test.

Evidential requirements for primary and secondary schooling

AApplicants may also demonstrate the minimum requirements of competency by one of the following:

completion of primary schooling (or equivalent) and at least three years secondary schooling (or equivalent) in schools where the education was conducted in the English Language
completion of at least five years secondary schooling (or equivalent) in schools where the education was conducted in the English Language.

The Registrar will accept attendance at a primary school equivalent or at a secondary school equivalent:

where all the school tuition was conducted in the English language
where the applicant either has provided copies of school records or if school records are not available has signed the statutory declaration on page 19 of the application booklet.

In the absence of schooling records, the Registrar may accept a statutory declaration submitted with an application for a licence.

The Authority may prosecute any applicant who knowingly provides false or misleading information about schooling records. This offence could result in a fine, imprisonment or the cancellation of their licence.

Evidence of tertiary study not accepted

The Registrar will not accept evidence of the completion of a tertiary qualification, as proof of English language skills.

The Registrar does not consider evidence of the completion of a tertiary qualification as valid or sufficient evidence on its own that an applicant meets the English language competency standard. There is considerable variance between tertiary courses in course length, minimum contact time, course structure, assessment and teaching methods.

This means that even when the tuition is in English, it is possible for a student to obtain a tertiary qualification with minimal exposure to an English-speaking environment.

Verification of evidence during assessment process

As part of the assessment process, the Authority will assess all documentation provided by the applicant.

An assessor will conduct a telephone interview with the applicant to verify their oral English language ability.

The Registrar has the discretion in all cases to require an applicant to sit an IELTS test to confirm that they meet the minimum level of competence.

Immigration Advisers Authority