Australian Migration News

Immigration Australia to recognize new English Language Tests for migrants

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship Australia (DIAC) are seeking to expand the number of English language tests that are accepted as evidence of English language proficiency.

Migrants wishing to live in Australia under certain visa types need to show proficiency in English in order to satisfy their visa conditions. English is the main language of Australia and migrants may struggle to settle comfortably unless they are able to communicate effectively with others.

DIAC are currently accepting submissions from test owners who believe they have the ability to provide English language testing for Australian visa applications.

The department has provided a "Benchmark" document for test owners, which outlines the requirements that must be met for an English language test to be approved by DIAC. Some important requirements are:

• Integrity - ensuring the test is up-to-date, results are reliable, and preventing fraud & forged documents.
• Content - Ensuring the test measures all 4 English language skills (reading, writing, speaking & listening), and should reflect the type of content candidates are likely to encounter in Australia.
• Administration - Provide online verification of test scores, ensuring testing centres are accessible to candidates without significant delays, and ensuring the test is affordable.
• Results - Ability for tests to be benchmarked against scores in other tests accepted by DIAC, availability of results to candidates in reasonable time, and organizing ongoing monitoring of performance trends to investigate any unusual patterns or changes.

The acceptance of more English language tests by DIAC is expected to provide a benefit to migrants hoping to live in Australia, as they will be able to choose from a wider variety of English language tests.

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