CELPIP for Australian visas: what Home Affairs accepts
Yes, Australia accepts CELPIP. The Department of Home Affairs lists CELPIP-General among its approved English tests for visa applications, for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025 at a secure test centre. Checked November 6, 2026.
The short version
- CELPIP-General is accepted for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025.
- It must be taken at a test centre. Home Affairs does not accept online or remote-proctored tests and names CELPIP Online among them. CELPIP is currently delivered only at test centres anyway.
- Competent English is at least 7 in each of the four skills.
- Most levels want a score from the 3 years before you apply; functional English wants one from the last 12 months.
- Your visa decides the level. CELPIP is approved at every level Home Affairs uses.
Minimum CELPIP-General scores by English level
Which visa needs which level?
Home Affairs sets the English level on each visa's own page. For example, the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) points-tested stream asks for at least competent English.
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CELPIP and Australia: questions people ask
Does Australia accept CELPIP?
Yes. The Australian Department of Home Affairs lists CELPIP-General among the English tests it accepts for visa applications, for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025 at a secure test centre. CELPIP announced the designation on August 6, 2025.
Is CELPIP Online accepted for Australian visas?
No. Home Affairs does not accept tests delivered completely online (remote-proctored or at-home), and it names CELPIP Online as an example. Take CELPIP-General at a test centre.
What CELPIP score is competent English for Australia?
At least 7 in each of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, on a CELPIP-General test taken on or after 7 August 2025.
What CELPIP score is proficient or superior English?
Proficient English needs at least 9 Listening, 8 Reading, 10 Writing and 8 Speaking. Superior English needs at least 10 Listening, 10 Reading, 12 Writing and 10 Speaking. Note that Writing has the highest bar at both levels.
How long is a CELPIP score valid for Australia?
For competent, proficient, superior and vocational English, Home Affairs asks for a score achieved in the 3 years before your visa application, depending on the visa subclass. For functional English the window is 12 months.
Which visas accept CELPIP?
Home Affairs does not keep a separate CELPIP list. Each visa asks for an English level (functional, vocational, competent, proficient or superior), and CELPIP-General is an approved test at every one of those levels. For example, the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) points-tested stream asks for at least competent English. Check the level your visa needs on its own Home Affairs page.
I took CELPIP before 7 August 2025. Does it count?
CELPIP is not on the Home Affairs list of tests taken on or before 6 August 2025, so plan on a CELPIP-General test taken on or after 7 August 2025.
Is CELPIPReady practice official?
No. CELPIPReady is an independent practice site. Our practice scores are estimates to help you prepare, not official results, and they are not accepted by Home Affairs or anyone else.
Sources (checked November 6, 2026)
CELPIP® is a registered trademark of Paragon Testing Enterprises. CELPIPReady is independent and not affiliated with Paragon or the Australian Government. This page is general information, not migration advice.
CELPIP® is a registered trademark of Paragon Testing Enterprises. CELPIPReady is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Paragon Testing Enterprises.