Have you ever wondered why your partner visa application asks for proof of English, even if you plan to live with your spouse in Australia?
Many applicants get caught off guard by one simple requirement- proof of English.
The Department of Home Affairs expects applicants, and in some cases their sponsors, to show they meet a minimum standard known as Functional English. It’s not just a formality; it affects how quickly your visa is processed and whether it’s approved.
Recent updates to English test options and score requirements (effective August 2025) have added more confusion for applicants unsure about which tests count or how long results stay valid.
This guide explains what the English requirement means for partner visas, the accepted tests and scores, and how Knowbal can help you meet these requirements with confidence.
Let’s first understand who needs to meet these language requirements.
Please Note: This article serves as a general guide to help you understand the topic, with information accurate as of the publication date. We recommend consulting a registered migration agent or check The Department of Home Affairs for precise, up-to-date guidance tailored to your specific circumstances.
Key Takeaways
- Functional English is the minimum level required for partner visa applicants and, in some cases, sponsors.
- You can prove it through a passport, education in English, or an approved English test.
- Test results for Functional English are valid for 12 months and must be from a secure testing centre.
- New rules from 7 August 2025 expanded approved tests and introduced updated score systems.
- Applicants who don’t meet the standard can show reasonable efforts by enrolling in recognised English courses like AMEP.
- Preparing early and using reliable advice ensures your visa process runs smoothly.
Who Needs to Meet the English Requirement
The English requirement applies mainly to partner visa applicants and, in some cases, their sponsors. It ensures both partners can communicate effectively and integrate into life in Australia.
If you’re applying for a Partner Visa (subclass 820/801 or 309/100), you’ll need to show that you have at least Functional English, or that you’ve made reasonable efforts to learn it.
This requirement is usually assessed at the permanent visa stage, not when you first apply. That means even if your temporary partner visa is granted, you’ll still need to meet the English standard before receiving the permanent visa.
For sponsors who are permanent residents, the same condition can apply. The Government encourages sponsors to either meet Functional English or enrol in approved English classes before the final visa decision.
Before understanding how to meet it, let’s look at what “Functional English” actually means.
Functional English Requirements for Partner Visa Applicants
For partner visa applicants, Functional English is the minimum language level required by the Department of Home Affairs. It shows you can handle everyday communication in Australia, from speaking with employers to understanding official information.
You can prove Functional English in one of three ways:
1. By Citizenship
You automatically meet the requirement if you hold a valid passport from:
- The United Kingdom
- The United States of America
- Canada
- New Zealand
- The Republic of Ireland
2. By Education
You can qualify if you completed your studies in English. This includes:
- All years of primary school and at least three years of secondary school in English, or
- At least five years of secondary education in English, or
- One year of full-time study (or the part-time equivalent) toward a degree, diploma, or higher qualification in English, or
- Two years of full-time study or training for a trade certificate or diploma where all instruction was in English.
3. By English Language Test Results
You can submit an approved test result that meets the minimum Functional English score. The test must have been taken within 12 months before your visa application.
Understanding which tests are accepted and the scores you need is crucial, especially after the updates introduced in August 2025.
Approved English Tests and Required Scores (as of 7 August 2025)
To prove Functional English, you can submit results from one of several tests approved by the Department of Home Affairs. These results must be from a secure test centre, not an online or at-home version, and taken within 12 months before you apply for your visa.
| Test | Minimum Score Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic or General) | Average band score of 4.5 | One Skill Retake (OSR) allowed for eligible visas |
| PTE Academic | Overall score of 24 | New scoring applies from August 2025 |
| TOEFL iBT | Total score of 26 | Not accepted if taken as the “Home Edition” |
| CELPIP General | Overall band score of 5 | Newly accepted from August 2025 |
| Michigan English Test (MET) | Overall score of 38 | Single Section Retake (SSR) permitted |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Overall score of 38 | Accepted from August 2025 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | Overall score of 1020 | Mainly for health professionals |
If you took one of these tests before 6 August 2025, your results can still be used until 6 August 2026, provided they meet the earlier score thresholds:
- IELTS: Average band 4.5
- PTE Academic: Overall 30
- TOEFL iBT: Total 32
- Cambridge (CAE): Overall 147
The Department does not accept results from online or remote-proctored versions of these tests, such as IELTS Online, CELPIP Online, MET Digital, or TOEFL Home Edition.
These score updates and new test options have created more flexibility but also more confusion for applicants trying to accurately demonstrate their English level. Knowing which test to take and when can make all the difference in avoiding delays.
Understanding Other English Levels
While partner visa applicants usually need to meet only the Functional English standard, Australia’s migration system recognises several English proficiency levels. Each serves a different purpose depending on the type of visa or migration goal.
Here’s how the levels compare:
| English Level | Typical Use | Minimum IELTS Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Functional English | Required for partner and family visas | Average 4.5 |
| Vocational English | For trade and some employer-sponsored visas | Minimum 5.0 in each band |
| Competent English | Base requirement for skilled migration | Minimum 6.0 in each band |
| Proficient English | Adds extra migration points | Minimum 7.0 in each band |
| Superior English | Highest points level for skilled visas | Minimum 8.0 in each band |
For partner visa applicants, Functional English is sufficient. However, improving your English level can open future pathways, such as skilled migration or career advancement in Australia.
Understanding where your English ability fits on this scale helps you plan for both your visa and your long-term goals.
Reasonable Efforts to Learn English
If you or your sponsor don’t currently meet the Functional English requirement, the Department of Home Affairs allows you to show that you’ve made reasonable efforts to learn English.
This applies particularly to applicants and sponsors who are non-native English speakers and are still improving their language skills while living in Australia.
The most recognised way to demonstrate this is by enrolling in the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), a government-funded initiative that provides up to 500 hours of free English lessons.
You can show reasonable effort by providing:
- Proof of AMEP enrolment or completion, or
- Evidence that you are actively studying English through an approved course before the permanent visa decision.
Taking these steps doesn’t just satisfy a visa condition, it also helps you adapt more easily to life in Australia, communicate confidently, and access better work opportunities.
Key Updates Effective from 7 August 2025
From 7 August 2025, the Department of Home Affairs introduced several important updates to how English language proficiency is assessed for Australian visas, including partner visas.
Here’s what’s changed:
- New approved tests added:
The CELPIP General, Michigan English Test (MET), and LANGUAGECERT Academic are now accepted for visa purposes. - Revised scoring standards:
Minimum scores have changed across all tests to reflect updated assessment frameworks. Applicants should always check the most recent test requirements before booking. - Shorter validity for Functional English:
Test results used to prove Functional English are now valid for 12 months instead of three years. - No acceptance of online or at-home tests:
Remote or “at-home” versions, such as IELTS Online or TOEFL Home Edition, are not accepted. Tests must be taken at a secure, approved test centre. - New formats for certain tests:
IELTS now allows One Skill Retake (OSR), and MET offers a Single Section Retake (SSR) option, helping applicants improve one section without retaking the full test.
These changes make it easier to choose from more test options but also mean applicants need to plan carefully to ensure their scores remain valid when their visa is processed.
Common Issues Faced by Applicants
Many partner visa applicants meet the English requirement without difficulty, but others face avoidable setbacks due to timing, test choice, or missing documentation. Here are some of the most common challenges, and how to overcome them.
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| Unsure which test to take | Choose an approved test like IELTS or PTE Academic. Both are widely accepted and available across most countries. Always confirm the test centre is government-approved. |
| Low score or failed section | Use options like IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) or MET Single Section Retake (SSR) to improve only the section where you fell short. |
| Score validity expired | Retake the test before applying. Functional English results remain valid for 12 months, so plan your timing carefully. |
| Studied in English but have no documents | Request a letter or transcript from your school or university confirming that the language of instruction was English. |
| Difficulty accessing test centres | Book early to secure a test date that aligns with your visa timeline. Knowbal can help identify nearby authorised centres. |
| Unclear about when to meet the requirement | Remember, English proof is checked at the permanent visa grant stage, not the initial application. Preparing early prevents last-minute issues. |
These are small details, but overlooking them can delay a visa decision or lead to unnecessary stress. Getting accurate advice early ensures your English evidence is complete and valid when it matters most.
Simplify Your Partner Visa English Requirements with Knowbal
Meeting the English requirement can feel complicated, especially when test formats, score rules, and visa timelines keep changing. Knowbal Migration and Education helps simplify this process with tailored, step-by-step support.
Here’s how we assist partner visa applicants and sponsors:
- Assess your eligibility – We review your background, education, and test history to confirm if you already meet Functional English or need to take a test.
- Guide your test preparation – We advise which approved English test suits your situation, where to take it, and how to plan around the 12-month validity period.
- Verify and compile evidence – From education transcripts to English test results, we help ensure every document aligns with Department of Home Affairs requirements.
- Support both applicant and sponsor – We assist sponsors who must also show Functional English or demonstrate reasonable efforts to learn.
- Align visa and English timelines – We coordinate your English test results with your visa lodgement and grant stages to avoid expiry or re-testing.
Our goal is simple: help you meet the English requirement confidently, without delays or uncertainty.
Conclusion
Meeting the English requirement for a partner visa doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right guidance, you can prepare your documents, choose the correct test, and meet the Department of Home Affairs standards without delays.
At Knowbal Migration and Education, we help you every step of the way, from confirming eligibility to submitting complete, accurate evidence for your partner visa. Our migration experts make sure your English requirement is never the reason for a setback.
Ready to move forward with confidence?
Contact Knowbal today for tailored advice on meeting your English requirements and securing your Australian partner visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do all partner visa applicants need to meet the English requirement?
Yes. Most partner visa applicants must show evidence of Functional English. In some cases, the sponsor may also need to meet this requirement or show reasonable efforts to learn English through a recognised program such as AMEP.
2. When is the English requirement assessed for a partner visa?
The Department of Home Affairs usually checks English evidence at the permanent visa stage, not when you first apply. This means you have time after lodging your temporary partner visa to meet the requirement before your permanent visa is decided.
3. How long is my English test result valid for?
From 7 August 2025, English test results used to prove Functional English are valid for 12 months from the date you took the test. For higher English levels (such as Vocational or Competent English), results can be valid for up to three years, depending on the visa subclass.
4. Can I use IELTS Online or TOEFL Home Edition for my partner visa application?]
No. The Department of Home Affairs does not accept online or at-home English tests. You must take your test in person at a secure, approved test centre.
5. What if I don’t meet the Functional English requirement?
You can still meet the condition by showing you’ve made reasonable efforts to learn English. This includes enrolling in or completing up to 500 hours of free English classes through the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP). Providing proof of enrolment or completion can satisfy this requirement.
