Cambridge English for Australian visas and immigration

Visas and immigration
- UK
- Australia
- USA
- Canada
- Ireland
- New Zealand

Thinking of studying in Australia?

Hundreds of institutions across Australia accept Cambridge English Qualifications for admission.

The Department of Home Affairs in Australia accepts C1 Advanced scores as proof of English language ability for Student visa applications, and many other programmes, including Temporary Graduate, Skilled, Former Resident, and Work and Holiday visas.

Find out more

Australia accepts C1 Advanced

The Australian Department of Home Affairs accepts C1 Advanced, formerly known as Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), scores for student visa applications and many other visa programmes.

This means that for studying in Australia, you only need one exam to apply for your university place and your visa because most Australian universities and TAFE (Training and Further Education) institutions accept C1 Advanced for admissions purposes.

Department of Home Affairs – English language requirements for visa applications

Before travelling to study or work in Australia, you may need to apply for a visa. As part of your application, you may have to prove you have a particular level of English language ability, or your language skills may be taken into account in other ways when your visa application is considered.

There are different types of visa, depending on your reason for entering the country. C1 Advanced is accepted for Student, Temporary Graduate, Skilled, Former Resident, and Work and Holiday visa programmes. Check visa requirements for immigration to Australia with the Department of Home Affairs.

Please note that for your C1 Advanced score to be accepted, your centre must take a photo of you on the test day.

C1 Advanced score needed to apply for Australian student visas

Australia’s Department of Home Affairs accepts all C1 Advanced scale scores of 147 and higher for exams taken up to two years before a candidate’s application. Exact scores for different visa categories and assessment levels will be published by the Department of Home Affairs.

Find out more

IELTS score needed to apply for Australian student visas

Australia’s Department of Home Affairs accepts IELTS scores of 4.0 and higher for exams taken up to two years before your application.

About IELTS

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the world’s proven English test. Each year, over 2 million IELTS tests are taken around the world.

Find out more about IELTS

C1 Advanced scores needed for other visas

You can find out what scores are required for other visa programmes at the Department of Home Affairs website.

What to do next

Check visa requirements for immigration to Australia with the Department of Home Affairs.

Find educational institutions and employers in Australia that accept Cambridge English exams as proof of your language ability.

Search our database now