20 points
How good English
can help secure your
Australian Work Visa
The test-takers queuing to check in for their English language test at the Pearson Professional
Test Centre on a Wednesday in late August are from a multitude of different industries, careers
and backgrounds. A programmer and a software engineer mingle with a start-up entrepreneur,
an HR specialist and an accountant. All represent a fast-growing skilled professional and
business elite and all have a driving ambition: to be approved for a skilled migration visa that will
allow them to emigrate and work in Australia.
Australia has long been a magnet for migration and remains a popular destination for British
citizens looking to make a fresh start in a new country. According to the Australian Department
of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) statistics for 2013/2014, 23,220 migrants hailed
from the UK. Of the 190,000 migration places offered for 2013/2014, more than 128,000 were
reserved for skilled migrants – those with attributes and skills that make them attractive to
the Australian public and private sectors. Some skilled migrants are sponsored by companies,
others apply as independents. Australian territories and states can sponsor migrants and some
visas are reserved for entrepreneurs and investors. All, however, need to meet the exacting
entry requirements.
The Australian skilled migration application process includes selection based on a points
system. The current pass mark for general skilled migration visas is 65 points; points are
awarded based on factors that include age, post-secondary qualifications, occupation and
English language competency.
Demonstrating English proficiency and
superior English to earn visa points
If you are a citizen of a select group of English-speaking countries, including the UK, language
competency will be taken as read. However, English language speakers who can demonstrate a
higher level of proficiency can net up to 20 additional points towards their visa.
The reward for reaching proficient English level is 10 points towards your skilled migration visa
application. If you can show superior English then you add a further 10 points to the tally. For
applicants who haven’t scored highly on work experience or qualifications this can make a
crucial difference to the chances of getting a visa. Consequently, being able to exhibit English
language proficiency has become a critical part of the visa application process.
IELTS has long been the standardised test approved by the Australian government and the test
of choice for visa applicants both for work and study. Since November 2014, in an effort to make
it more convenient for applicants, the DIBP has approved a number of additional tests that can
be used as proof of English language skills, including TOEFL iBT, Cambridge English Advanced
(CAE) and the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic).
Preparing for success
As with all tests, adequate preparation is crucial. For many aspiring migrants needing to take
an English test, it may have been several years since they took an official exam. Knowing how
to prepare effectively and what to expect on the day are key when it comes to securing a
successful outcome.
A good place to start is by checking how your current skills compare to those you’ll need to
demonstrate competence or higher level skills. All providers offer practice tests and practice
papers that are designed to replicate the real test and deliver a score across reading, writing,
speaking and listening. A detailed understanding of current English proficiency makes it
easier to focus on any weaker areas ahead of taking the test. Many people find that taking a
practice test in exam-like conditions helps to improve time management skills and set realistic
expectations on your potential performance.
Many test-takers take advantage of the large amount of free preparation material that includes
everything from print and digital course guides to practice tests. A huge amount of information is
also posted on YouTube, including tutorials and advice covering the range of different tests on offer.
For those with limited time, the Official Guides published by the testing bodies are an excellent
source of information to help you fast track your learning. They offer materials that replicate the
real test questions as well as guidance and strategies for dealing with every task set. Many
providers offer complete practice tests with test questions that replicate those you can expect
to be asked and overviews of each part of the test so you know what to expect. These come
with detailed guidance, strategies and tips to teach you how to tackle each task.
Coursebooks are a good option if you have a little more time to study in the run-up to the test.
A rigorous preparation course structure will take you through a series of normally class-based
lessons designed to prepare you for the test.
Sometimes, however, the best way to prepare for a test is to join a class and receive tuition
face to face. There is a multitude of courses and they offer class-based or individual tuition, from
intensive week-long courses to six-month programmes to help brush up on your English skills.
5 tips for success
1 Familiarise yourself with the type of test questions you will be asked and know what to
expect on the day.
2 Give yourself enough time by setting clear, measurable and achievable goals. This will help
keep your motivation up and your end goal in sight.
3 Seek English instruction that works for you and matches your specific needs and learning goals.
4 Choose quality materials that are at the right level for you – they should stretch you a bit
to help you progress so you stay motivated. Digital learning can be very useful, providing
opportunities to study at a time that suits and giving lots of feedback opportunities.
5 Be persistent – keep practising at every opportunity.
PTE Academic is taken in a single three-hour sitting using a computer monitor, keyboard and
headset. PTE Academic, scored on the 10 to 90 Global Scale of English, is machine marked
which significantly speeds up the results process. Score reports are normally available to test
takers five days after the test date, which makes it an extremely attractive option for those who
have limited time to submit their visa application.
As Neal, a programmer with a large multinational software developer, says:
“There’s nothing worse than waiting. Knowing that my score will be sent to me quickly made
me feel that PTE Academic would be the right choice of test for me.”
On the day
As well as preparing for the test itself it helps to know what to expect when you get to the test
centre. As with all high stakes tests, security arrangements at the test centre are strict. Test
takers need to prove their identity via a passport or similarly approved document, so it’s a good
idea to arrive at least 30 minutes before the test time and have your documents to hand. You
should also expect to have your photo taken at the test centre and to provide a biometric scan
of your palm, which is a more accurate form of identification than the more usual fingerprint.
As the test takers head into the Pearson Professional Test Centre for their session, the
apprehension is palpable. They know that the test is key to a successful application and the new
opportunities an Australian skilled migration visa will generate. They know that their new skills
will also give them the “real life” English they need to get life down under off to a great start.
About PTE Academic
PTE Academic is the world’s leading computer-based test of English for study abroad and
immigration. It offers fast, flexible English testing: candidates can schedule their test as little
as 24 hours in advance and typically receive their results within five business days. There are
test centres in more than 50 countries worldwide and the test is accepted by governments,
including the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection, and thousands of
academic programmes worldwide.
About the author
Charles Hamilton, International Client Relations Director for the
Pearson Test of English Academic.
Based in London, Charles is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with
institutions, industry and professional bodies, government agencies and testing partners across
the world and principally in the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
Charles joined Pearson in 2013 and has previously held senior global client engagement and
business development roles at Nielsen and Symphony IRI
This article originally appeared in Australia & New Zealand Magazine