Official 2026 Home Affairs Update

Is CELPIP Allowed in Australia?

Everything you need to know about CELPIP General acceptance for Australian immigration, PR point thresholds, test centres, and visa pathways.

1. The Quick Answer: Yes, CELPIP is Officially Accepted!

Yes, CELPIP General is officially recognized by the Australian Department of Home Affairs for Australian visas, Permanent Residency (PR), and citizenship applications.

Following the policy update effective August 7, 2025, in-person CELPIP General test scores are accepted on equal standing with IELTS and PTE Academic for General Skilled Migration (Subclasses 189, 190, 491), Employer Sponsored visas, and student visas.

2. Australian Visa Categories Accepting CELPIP

The Australian government accepts CELPIP General across virtually all major visa subclasses requiring proof of English proficiency:

Skilled Independent (Subclass 189)
Points-tested permanent residency visa for skilled workers.
Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190)
State/Territory nominated permanent residence visa.
Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491)
Provisional regional pathway leading to permanent residency.
Temporary Skill Shortage & Graduate
Subclass 482 (Employer Sponsored) & Subclass 485 (Graduate).

Crucial Test Requirement:

Only in-person tests completed at certified physical test centres are valid. Home-proctored or online CELPIP tests are strictly not accepted by the Department of Home Affairs. Furthermore, only CELPIP General (4 skills) is accepted; CELPIP General LS (Listening & Speaking only) is not.

3. CELPIP Score Equivalencies & PR Points

Australian skilled migration uses a points-tested system. Your CELPIP scores directly determine how many migration points you qualify for:

Proficiency LevelCELPIP Minimum ScoresIELTS EquivalentMigration Points
Superior EnglishL: 10, R: 10, W: 12, S: 10Band 8.0 in all bands+20 Points
Proficient EnglishL: 9, R: 8, W: 10, S: 8Band 7.0 in all bands+10 Points
Competent EnglishLevel 7 in each sectionBand 6.0 in all bands0 Points (Threshold)
Vocational EnglishLevel 5 in each sectionBand 5.0 in all bandsVisa specific

4. CELPIP vs PTE Academic vs IELTS General

Compare how the major English language tests stack up for Australian and international immigration:

Test NameAccepted in Australia?Accepted in Canada?Test Format
CELPIP General Yes (In-Person) Yes (IRCC)100% Computer-delivered, built-in spellcheck
PTE Academic / Core Yes (Academic) Yes (PTE Core)Computer-delivered, AI automated scoring
IELTS General Yes YesComputer or Paper; 1-on-1 human speaking interview

5. Why Choose CELPIP in Australia?

1

One Test for Two Countries

Applying for both Canadian Express Entry and Australian PR? CELPIP General is accepted by both IRCC and Home Affairs with a single score report.

2

Built-in Spellcheck & Word Counter

The CELPIP Writing module features automatic word count tracking and basic spellcheck assistance, reducing avoidable careless typos.

3

No Human Speaking Pressure

Unlike IELTS where you sit face-to-face with an examiner, CELPIP speaking is recorded digitally into a headset in your private station.

6. CELPIP Test Centres in Australia

In-person CELPIP General tests in Australia are administered through authorized Prometric test centres:

  • Sydney: Prometric Test Center - Sydney CBD
  • Melbourne: Prometric Test Center - Melbourne Central

Tip: Slots tend to fill up quickly. Make sure to book 3-4 weeks in advance on the official CELPIP portal.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

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