More English Language test Options.

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, has announced three additional English language test options for student visa applicants to address the current shortage of test places.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) will be expanded for use by applicants from all countries, and the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) and the Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) from Cambridge ESOL will shortly be added to the existing English language tests for student visa purposes specified in the Migration Regulations 1994. The Government anticipates these new tests will be accepted for student visa applications later this year.

‘We have given careful consideration when selecting these three English language test providers to ensure that high standards of integrity are maintained and that test score results are appropriately safeguarded,’ Mr Bowen said.

‘The integrity of English language testing is important because the language test results are a key component in visa application requirements.

‘These additional English language test options will help to create competition in the English language testing market, while creating more test places for student visa applicants.

‘They will also provide candidates with greater choice and enable them to more quickly obtain test results needed for visa applications.’

Currently, the main English language test accepted by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for Australian visa purposes is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The Government has had a good working relationship with IELTS and we expect that to continue into the future.

The Government will closely monitor and review the implementation of the new tests to determine whether these should be introduced for other visa programs at a later date.

Further information will soon be available on DIAC’s website
See: www.immi.gov.au

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