LanguageCert Academic for Australian visas: the scores you need in 2026

On 7 August 2025 the list of English tests accepted for Australian visas changed, and LanguageCert Academic was added. It is now approved for all visa types that require proof of English. There are two conditions to get right: where you take it, and the score you need in each skill.

The figures below are taken from the Department of Home Affairs English language pages as of October 2026. Always check the Home Affairs website for your own visa before you book.

Rule 1: take it at a test centre

LanguageCert also offers tests taken online at home. These are not accepted for Australian visas. Book a test-centre session of LanguageCert Academic. LanguageCert lists the test-centre version for Australian visas from AU$399 as of October 2026.

Rule 2: meet the minimum in every skill

Home Affairs sets a minimum score for each of the four skills. You need to reach all four in the same test.

Two things stand out. First, the Speaking minimum is the highest at every level up to Proficient. Second, Writing is set higher than Listening and Reading. For most candidates, the difficult skills for a visa are Speaking and Writing.

Which level do you need?

That depends on the visa, not the test. Competent English is common for skilled visas, and Proficient or Superior English can earn extra points on the points test for some skilled visas. Your migration agent or the visa page will tell you which level applies to you.

How LanguageCert compares with IELTS for a visa

For Competent English, IELTS asks for at least 6 in each component. LanguageCert asks for 57, 60, 64 and 70. The tests are different in format, so it is not a simple conversion. Some candidates find LanguageCert's two-time listening and role-play speaking more comfortable; others prefer the IELTS format they already know. See LanguageCert or IELTS for a fuller comparison.

A sensible plan if you need Competent English

1. Sit a timed practice test and compare each skill with 57, 60, 64 and 70.
2. If one skill is more than five points short, give it most of your study time for two to three weeks.
3. Practise Speaking out loud every day, including reading aloud. The read-aloud task makes pronunciation problems obvious.
4. In Writing Part 1, always finish with a clear opinion or recommendation based on the data.
5. Book the real test when your mock scores are a few points above the minimums, not just on them.

Our practice test report shows each of your scores against all four visa levels, so you can see exactly how far you are from the line. AIL is also an official LanguageCert test centre in Melbourne: details are on the AIL LanguageCert page.