English language tests for work visas and skilled migration

Reading time: 6 minutes

Many countries require applicants to prove their English language proficiency when applying for work visas or skilled migration pathways. Commonly accepted English tests include PTE, IELTS, TOEFL and CELPIP, depending on the destination country and visa route.

Requirements vary by immigration authority, visa category, occupation and English proficiency framework. This guide explains which English tests are commonly accepted for work visas, how English proficiency levels are assessed, and what to check before booking a test.

English tests for work visas by country*

Country

Commonly accepted tests

Regulating authority
United Kingdom PTE Academic UKVI, IELTS for UKVI, other approved SELT providers UK Home Office (through UK Visas and Immigration, UKVI) 
Canada PTE Core, IELTS General Training, CELPIP  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) 
Australia PTE Academic, IELTS, TOEFL iBT and other approved tests depending on visa pathway Department of Home Affairs (DHA) 
New Zealand PTE Academic, IELTS, TOEFL iBT and others depending on visa pathway Immigration New Zealand (INZ) 

*Note: Immigration policies, approved tests and minimum score requirements can change. Always confirm requirements directly with the official immigration authority before booking a test or submitting an application.

English proficiency levels for work visas

Many countries use recognized language frameworks to define English proficiency levels.

These include:

  • CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
  • CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark)
  • Country-specific immigration English categories, such as Australia’s Competent, Proficient, and Superior English level

PTE reports scores using Pearson’s Global Scale of English (GSE), an English proficiency scale aligned to CEFR levels. GSE scores can also help compare English proficiency across frameworks used in education and immigration systems, including Canada’s CLB system.

Learn more about how Pearson’s Global Scale of English (GSE) aligns with CEFR, CLB and other immigration English requirements

Work visa English requirements by country

Although English proficiency requirements follow similar principles, each country defines its own approved English tests and minimum score requirements for work-related visa applications.

United Kingdom

Most UK work visa routes require applicants to demonstrate their English language ability through a UKVI-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) taken at an authorized test centre.

Commonly accepted SELT tests include:

To learn more about which English test may be suitable for your UK work visa, see our guide to PTE SELT tests for UK.

Australia 

Australia's Department of Home Affairs (DHA) sets English language requirements for work visas by visa stream and occupation. Requirements vary depending on the visa subclass, occupation and whether the pathway is points-tested.

Some visa pathways require applicants to meet minimum scores in each communication skill assessed, rather than only an overall score. Additionally, some regulated professions, such as healthcare, may require higher English standards through professional registration bodies such as Ahpra.

For Australia-specific score requirements by visa subclass, see PTE for Australian visas.

Canada

Canada uses the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) system to assess English language proficiency across work permits and economic migration pathways, including Express Entry programmes.

For economic immigration pathways, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) accepts PTE Core rather than PTE Academic.

Commonly accepted English tests include:

  • PTE Core
  • IELTS General Training
  • CELPIP-General

Applicants must achieve scores that correspond to the required CLB level for their visa or immigration pathway. CLB conversion is assessed skill by skill rather than through an overall average score.

Different pathways require different CLB levels depending on the programme, occupation and Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) requirements.

Read more: English language requirements for Canadian work permits and immigration pathways

New Zealand

Accepted English language evidence and minimum score requirements are published by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

English language evidence is generally only required for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications for jobs classified at ANZSCO skill levels 4 or 5. Most ANZSCO skill level 1–3 roles do not require English language evidence.

Exemptions may apply for citizens of majority English-speaking countries, applicants with prior English-medium study, or applicants with qualifying work experience in English-speaking countries. The role’s ANZSCO classification helps determine whether English language evidence is required.

Learn more: English language requirements for New Zealand Visas (PTE resource)

What to check before booking an English test for your work visa

Before booking an English language test for your work visa application, confirm:

  • which tests are accepted for your visa route and destination country
  • whether the test must be taken at an approved test centre
  • the minimum scores required for each communication skill for your specific application
  • how long results remain valid
  • whether your profession has additional English language requirements

Countries often require specific versions of a test. For example:

  • UK work visa routes may require a Secure English Language Test (SELT)
  • Canada generally accepts PTE Core rather than PTE Academic for economic immigration pathways
  • healthcare professions may require additional English testing or credentialing processes

You should also consider test format, result turnaround times, test availability, scheduling flexibility, and other practical factors when choosing an English language tests for your work visa.

Related Content

  • Image - 2 Asian students - 800x600px
    Sitting PTE Academic for the first time
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Choosing to study or migrate abroad is a big decision and may require you to demonstrate your skills in English.

    The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) is widely trusted by universities, colleges, and governments around the world. Taking PTE Academic can create opportunities for you around the world.

    If you are taking the test for the first time, study each part of the test thoroughly to demonstrate your English skills as best you can.

    Even people that consider themselves to be fluent in English need to prepare as they can sometimes score fewer points than they should have as they have not prepared.

    We can help you achieve your best!

    What should I expect on test day?

  • Image - Woman reading- 800px
    Reading: Core English skills part 1
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    In PTE Academic Part 2: Reading, you will be required to read a text in each question to understand what it means in order to answer the question.

    To identify and develop your reading skills we’ve put together some information to help you.

    Grammar

    Grammar skills are important as they help you understand what you are reading. In Part 2: Reading you need to understand the meaning of the tense system, how articles work and how to use pronouns.

    Tense

    The tense system refers to the way in which you write about situations in the past, present or future. It’s important to be able to understand how time is expressed in reading texts in order to understand the meaning of the text.

    To learn more about the tense system view the Anglo-Link’s video on tenses.

    Articles

    In the reading section, you will also need to understand how articles work in English. Articles are words such as ‘the’, ‘a’ and ‘an’.

    Knowing how articles work will help you to understand the topic sentence in a paragraph and that will help locate an answer in a reading passage. This will help you with the Re-order Paragraphs question types in the test.

    Indefinite articles (a or an) usually come before the definite article (the) before the same noun.

    For example, An eminent scientist worked for years trying to find a new species of exotic bird. She led a team of three field researchers. One of the team members found the bird in a tropical forest. Two years later the same team found another new species in the forest.

    You can learn how to use the correctly in this Oxford Online English video.

    Pronouns

    It’s important to also know what pronouns are to better understand the text you are reading. Pronouns are used to replace nouns so we do not have to keep repeating the same noun.

    Knowing how to use pronouns will help in the test, particularly in the Re-order Paragraph questions, as they help you identify the correct position of sentences within a paragraph.

    For example, Dr Gomez felt he needed to spend more time with his students when they were new to his faculty. There was so much information that he wanted to give them that he needed to spend more than a whole day with them, which surprised even himself.

    To learn more and practice using pronouns, visit Ginger Software’s pronoun page.

    Vocabulary

    Having a wide vocabulary will help you succeed in the PTE Academic test as you will not need to slow down for as many words that you do not understand.

    To widen your vocabulary you should:

    • Choose reading texts across a wide range of topics. Tip: Do not choose difficult texts.

    • Try to read the text and find words you do not understand, then try to work out the meaning from the context first. If you are still not sure, look the words up in a

       

    Word families

    When it comes to learning vocabulary, make sure to learn the word family of a word.

    For example, progress (noun/verb), progressive (adjective), progression (noun). To learn the words, use it ten times, in different ways, such as writing, speaking and reading within a short time.

    In PTE Academic you will need to know and demonstrate how to read a word, pronounce it correctly and how to spell it. You will also need to know if it is an academic or informal word and how to use it in a sentence.

    Learn more about three aspects of academic vocabulary in the Griffith University’s Learn English- Academic Vocabulary video.

    Context

    Another important skill to improve vocabulary is inferring unknown vocabulary from context. You should be able to guess the meaning of new words or phrases based on the words around it (the context).

    For example, you can guess the meaning of profligate from this sentence: The young man who spent all his money on expensive cars and holidays was so profligate that he wasted his whole fortune.

    Sometimes you will be unable to work out the meaning of a word from the context and will need to look it up in a dictionary.

    Collocations

    Lastly, you will need to understand collocations. Collocations are words that often go together. You will need to have a good understanding of collocations in order to answer the Reading: Fill in the Blanks and Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks questions.

    The more you read and listen to English, the more collocations you will learn. The PTE Academic Collocation List will also help you to learn these.

    You’ll also need to learn reading methods and styles of writing in order to do well in this part of the test. Read some helpful tips on how to improve these skills.

  • Image - Australian city hall- 800px
    How to find work in Australia
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Have you ever dreamt of migrating to Australia for work or study? As one of the world’s most attractive places to both work and live, you’re not alone, however, there are a number of things to keep in mind before you start planning to apply for jobs in Australia.

    Let’s explore some of the major things that you need to keep in mind when looking to find work in Australia.

    Organizing your visa

    In order to legally apply for work in Australia, you’re going to need a visa that gives you permission to enter the country with a view to seeking employment.

    It’s important to remember that the appropriate visa depends on your career type and industry that you’re applying to. To understand what visa applies to your specific skills, use the visa finder on the government’s Home Affairs site.

    Learn the culture

    The workplace culture in Australia is unique for many reasons. Whilst Australian’s are known to be laid-back, this isn’t to be confused with their approach to hard work. Australian’s work hard though also have strict workplace laws that protect the health and wellbeing of all employees.

    Australian’s like to keep things casual in the workplace and it is common that everyone is encouraged to speak up during meetings. This can cause culture shock for those that migrate from countries where the workplace hierarchy dictates your ability to speak up.

    In-demand skills

    As with all countries, certain professions are in demand in Australia. It’s important to remember that seasonality can impact the demand for certain jobs at different times of the year so it’s important to do your own research to understand job availability in your specific area of expertise.

    To learn more about careers in demand in Australia, visit the government’s Job Outlook site.

    Choosing where to work in Australia

    If you’re looking to migrate to Australia for work, you’ve probably done some research on where you’d like to live. The major capital cities in Australia are:

    • Adelaide, South Australia

    • Brisbane, Queensland

    • Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

    • Darwin, Northern Territory

    • Hobart, Tasmania

    • Melbourne, Victoria

    • Perth, Western Australia

    • Sydney, New South Wales

    Whilst Sydney is best known for tourism, each capital city has a unique look and feel and all have unique attributes. The major Australian universities are largely spread across Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne and the two most dominant cities for professional careers are Sydney and Melbourne.

    Writing a resume and cover letter

    It’s a common misconception that applying for a job in a new country requires a unique resume and cover letter style. Whilst there isn’t a specific formula when applying for a job in Australia, it’s important to consider that an employer in Australia may not have any context around the businesses that you’ve worked with in your home country. As a result, it’s a good idea to ensure that this context is shared in your cover letter to ensure that key skills aren’t overlooked.

    Applying for jobs in Australia

    As is the case in virtually all major job markets, applying for jobs in Australia is largely an online experience. The Australian market has a number of major job listing sites and it’s on these sites that you’ll also be required to file job applications. In addition to the major job listing sites, LinkedIn is commonly used in Australia for connecting with recruiters and applying for jobs too, however, this can vary depending on your job category and what you’re hoping to apply for.

    The most appropriate site to apply for jobs really depends on what industry you’re applying for, so it’s best to do your own research to find what job site best suits your needs.