CELPIP scores for Australian PR and visas
The exact CELPIP General scores Home Affairs needs for each English level, how many points each level earns, and the minimum for every common visa subclass. These apply to tests taken on or after 7 August 2025.
Updated · CelpipUni Academic Team
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CELPIP English levels and points
You must reach the score in each skill. One low skill drops you to the lower level. Scores are never averaged.
| English level | CELPIP General (per skill) | IELTS | PTE Academic | Points test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superior | L 10 · R 10 · W 12 · S 10 | 8.0 in each | L 69 · R 70 · W 85 · S 88 | 20 points |
| Proficient | L 9 · R 8 · W 10 · S 8 | 7.0 in each | L 58 · R 59 · W 69 · S 76 | 10 points |
| Competent | L 7 · R 7 · W 7 · S 7 | 6.0 in each | L 47 · R 48 · W 51 · S 54 | 0 points (minimum for 189 / 190 / 491) |
| Vocational | L 5 · R 5 · W 5 · S 5 | 5.0 in each | — | — |
| Functional | 5 overall | 4.5 overall | — | — |
CELPIP 7 = Competent (the PR minimum, 0 points). Proficient = +10 points. Superior = +20 points. These are the English points in the skilled migration points test, which has a pass mark of 65.
CELPIP requirements by visa subclass
| Visa | Minimum English | CELPIP General minimum |
|---|---|---|
| 189 Skilled Independent (PR) | Competent | 7 in each skill |
| 190 Skilled Nominated (PR) | Competent | 7 in each skill |
| 491 Skilled Work Regional | Competent | 7 in each skill |
| 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional | Competent | 7 in each skill |
| 186 Employer Nomination (Direct Entry) | Competent | 7 in each skill |
| 482 Skills in Demand | Visa-specific (below Competent) | See the 482 equivalence table |
| 485 Temporary Graduate | Visa-specific overall + per skill | See the 485 equivalence table |
| 500 Student | Visa-specific; lower with ELICOS | See the student equivalence table |
| Partner, parent, business, investor | Functional (or pay 2nd VAC) | 5 overall |
The 482, 485 and 500 use their own overall and per-skill CELPIP equivalents, which Home Affairs publishes on its English language page. Those tables have changed several times since 2024, so read the current one for your stream before you book.
Target scores by skill
CELPIP Writing score for Australia
Writing is where most Australian PR candidates get stuck. Proficient needs 10 and Superior needs 12, the maximum CELPIP score. A 12 needs precise, natural vocabulary and almost no grammar errors across both tasks (an email and a survey response). Study our CELPIP writing samples to see what each level looks like.
CELPIP Speaking score for Australia
Proficient needs 8 and Superior needs 10. Your speaking is rated by trained human raters, not AI. Clear, well-organised answers matter more than accent, so an Australian or Indian accent is not a disadvantage. See the CELPIP speaking guide.
CELPIP Listening score for Australia
Proficient needs 9 and Superior needs 10. The audio uses Canadian accents, which most candidates adjust to after a few practice sets. Practise CELPIP listening.
CELPIP Reading score for Australia
Proficient needs 8 and Superior needs 10. Reading is usually the easiest threshold to hit. Use the reading practice sets to check you are there.
What score should you aim for?
The pass mark for the points test is 65, but invitations, especially for the 189, usually go to EOIs with far more points. English is one of the few categories you can raise in weeks rather than years, so:
- Aim for Superior (+20) if you are in a competitive occupation or applying for the 189.
- Proficient (+10) is the minimum sensible target for a 190 or 491 nomination in most states.
- Competent only works if the rest of your points already put you well above the invitation cut-off.
Moving from Proficient to Superior is a 10-point jump, as much as going from under three years to five or more years of overseas skilled work. It is almost always worth one more attempt.
Using your CELPIP score in SkillSelect
- Sit CELPIP General in person and download your official score report.
- In your EOI, select CELPIP General as the English test and enter the test date and each skill score.
- SkillSelect calculates your English points from those scores.
- If you retake and improve, update your EOI. Your points update, and your date of effect may change.
- When invited, upload the score report with your visa application. It must still be within its 3-year validity. See CELPIP validity for Australia.
Frequently asked questions
What CELPIP score do I need for Australian PR?
At least CELPIP 7 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking (Competent English) for subclasses 189, 190 and 491. That earns 0 points. Proficient English (L9 R8 W10 S8) earns 10 points and Superior English (L10 R10 W12 S10) earns 20.
What is a good CELPIP target score for Australia PR?
Aim for Superior if you can. Invitations for the 189 usually go to EOIs well above the 65-point pass mark, and English is one of the few point categories you can raise quickly. Proficient (+10) is the realistic minimum target for most competitive occupations.
What does CELPIP 7 mean for Australia?
CELPIP 7 in every skill equals Competent English, the same level as IELTS 6.0 in each band. It is the minimum for points-tested skilled visas but adds no points. CELPIP 7 also equals CLB 7 in Canada.
Which CELPIP skill is hardest for Australian points?
Writing. Proficient English needs Writing 10 and Superior needs Writing 12, the highest CELPIP score. Listening is next (9 for Proficient, 10 for Superior), while Reading and Speaking need 8 for Proficient.
Can I combine scores from two CELPIP tests for Australia?
No. Home Affairs assesses each test sitting on its own. Your Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking scores must all come from the same CELPIP General test.
How do I add my CELPIP score to SkillSelect?
In your SkillSelect EOI, choose CELPIP General as the English test, enter your test date and each skill score from your official score report, and the system calculates your English points. Keep the score report ready to upload when you are invited.
Find out how far you are from Proficient
Take a free full CELPIP mock test and get an estimated score for every skill.