English Language Policy 

Purpose

This policy sets out the Immigration Advisers Authority’s (the Authority) English language standard required to become a licensed immigration adviser.

Competency standard 5: English language

Competency Standard 5 of the Immigration Advisers Competency Standards 2013 relates to English language.

To meet the minimum standard of competency the applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Registrar that they have the ability to complete written documentation and communicate orally in English to a professional standard.

Evidence required by the Registrar

Applicants must demonstrate their English language skills one of in the following ways:

• an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test
• a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-based test (pBT)
• a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test (iBT)
• 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.

The English language entry criteria for the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic’s Graduate Certificate in New Zealand Immigration Advice align with Competency Standard 5. The Authority will accept completion of the Graduate Certificate in New Zealand Immigration Advice (Graduate Certificate) as meeting the English language competency standard.

An applicant whose licence expired or was surrendered within six months prior to lodging their application will be required to demonstrate that they meet Competency Standard 5.

IELTS evidential requirements

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 only accept a certified copy of an original IELTS test report form.

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 test; and
• achieved a minimum academic overall band score of 7.0 in each test.

TOEFL pBT evidential requirements

Applicants may demonstrate their English language competence by completing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-based test (pBT) with a minimum total score of 600 and a minimum score of 5 in the Test of Written English (TWE).

The Authority will only accept a certified copy of an original TOEFL pBT test report.

TOEFL iBT evidential requirements

Applicants may demonstrate their English language competence by completing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based test with a minimum total score of 100 and a minimum score of 24 in writing.

The Authority will only accept a certified copy of an original TOEFL iBT test report.

Evidential requirements for primary and secondary schooling

Applicants may also demonstrate the minimum requirements of competency by:

• 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, or
• 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 in Form 101: Initial Licence Application.

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 may conduct a telephone interview with the applicant to verify their oral English language ability.

In any case of doubt regarding an applicant’s schooling in English the Registrar has the discretion to require the applicant to complete an IELTS, TOEFL pBT or TOEFL iBT test to the required standard.