In an announcement in Melbourne yesterday Australia’s immigration department confirmed that as of November 2014 English proficiency test scores of TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic would be accepted across several visa categories.
These tests will add to the options of qualifying for the language requirements of visa applications and will be accepted in addition to the currently accepted International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Occupational English Test (OET).
“From November 2014, the department will accept English language test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) and the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) across visa programmes,” according to the Department of Immigration and Border protection.
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection also stated that; “The TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic tests have been accepted for the Student visa programme since 2011. From November 2014, the visa subclasses from the Temporary Graduate, Skilled and Work and Holiday visa programmes will also accept a TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic test score as evidence of English ability.”
Visa categories included in this extension, beyond student visas, are; Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme, business Innovation & Investment (provisional), Skilled – Independent, skilled – Nominated, work and Holiday (temporary), skilled – Recognised Graduate and Temporary Graduate.
Melbourne- based education expert Intaj Khan said “this is very good news for the intending migrants wishing to come to Australia. It will allow them to save time as they now would have more options for test centres of giving the English test and it will also break the monopoly of IDP IELTS Test centres.”
