How long is CELPIP valid for Australia?
3 years from your test date for Australian visas. That is a year longer than the 2 years Canada allows. Here is how the clock works for an EOI, a visa application, and a dual Canada–Australia plan.
Updated · CelpipUni Academic Team
Part of Countries & visasOn this page5 sections
CELPIP validity: Australia vs Canada
| Australia (Home Affairs) | Canada (IRCC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | 3 years from the test date | 2 years from the test date |
| Checked at | Invitation (skilled visas) or lodgement | Express Entry profile and PR application |
| Which CELPIP | General, in person only | General (PR) or General LS (citizenship) |
| Earliest test date | 7 August 2025 | No limit |
CELPIP's own website says results are valid for 2 years. That is the Canadian rule. Home Affairs applies the same 3-year window to every approved English test, CELPIP included.
When does the 3-year clock start?
On the date you sat the test, not the date your results were released. A CELPIP General test taken on 10 March 2026 can be used for an Australian visa until 9 March 2029.
How validity interacts with your EOI
For points-tested visas (189, 190, 491), your English points are assessed on the day you are invited. If your CELPIP result passes 3 years while your EOI is still waiting in SkillSelect, it no longer counts. You fall to the English level of any other valid test you hold, or lose the claim entirely. Long waits are common, so diary the expiry date and retake 2–3 months before it.
Planning for Canada and Australia together
If one CELPIP General result is meant to cover both countries, Canada is the tighter limit. Your result works for Express Entry for 2 years and for Australia for 3. Lodge with Canada first, or plan a retake for year three. More on this in using one CELPIP test for Canada and Australia.
Frequently asked questions
How long is CELPIP valid for Australia?
3 years from the date you sat the test. For points-tested skilled visas (189, 190, 491), the result must be less than 3 years old on the day you are invited to apply.
Why does CELPIP say 2 years if Australia accepts 3?
The 2-year figure comes from IRCC (Canada), which only accepts language results under 2 years old. Australia sets its own rule: 3 years for all approved English tests. The same CELPIP score report is valid for 2 years in Canada and 3 years in Australia.
Does my CELPIP need to be valid when I lodge my EOI or when I'm invited?
For skilled visas, it is assessed at the time of invitation. A result that expires while your EOI is waiting in SkillSelect stops counting, and your English points drop. Retake before it expires if you are still waiting for an invite.
Is a CELPIP test from 2024 valid for Australia?
No. Only CELPIP General tests taken on or after 7 August 2025 are accepted. Earlier CELPIP tests were never approved for Australian visas, however recent.
Try CelpipUni free
Full mock exam, instant AI feedback. No credit card.