If you’re looking to apply for a study visa in Australia, the Cambridge English Scale is indeed recognized for visa and immigration purposes. The Australian Department of Home Affairs accepts the C1 Advanced level, formerly known as the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), for student visa applications and many other visa programs.
Most Australian universities and TAFE (Training and Further Education) institutions accept the C1 Advanced score for admissions. It’s important to note that only the paper-based version of the C1 Advanced test is recognized for visa purposes, and any digital tests taken from 12 February 2024 will not be accepted.
However, scores from both paper-based and computer-based tests taken before this date are still valid, provided they are within the respective visa validity period.
What
The Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), also known as C1 Advanced, is a high-level qualification in English for demanding academic and professional situations. It is one of the exams provided by Cambridge Assessment English, part of the University of Cambridge.
Why Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) for Australia?
The CAE, or C1 Advanced, is a high-level English language qualification that is recognized by the Australian Department of Home Affairs for visa and immigration purposes. It is particularly useful for those planning to study or work in Australia, as it is accepted by most Australian universities and TAFE (Training and Further Education) institutions for admissions purposes.
Here are some reasons why the CAE is beneficial for Australia:
- Visa Applications: The CAE score is accepted for various visa programs, including Student Visa, Temporary Graduate, Skilled, Former Resident, and Work and Holiday visas.
- Academic and Professional Recognition: It demonstrates the language skills that employers and universities are looking for, showing that you can follow an academic course at university level or communicate effectively in a professional environment.
- Global Acceptance: More than 9,000 educational institutions, businesses, and government departments around the world accept C1 Advanced as proof of high-level achievement in learning English.
- Preparation for English-speaking Environments: Preparing for the CAE helps learners develop the skills to make the most of studying, working, and living in English-speaking countries.
The Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs has renewed its recognition of the Paper-Based C1 Advanced qualification for visa and migration purposes. However, any C1 Advanced Digital tests taken from 12 February 2024 will not be accepted for Australian visa purposes. Test scores for both the paper-based and computer-based C1 Advanced tests taken before 12 February 2024, within the respective visa validity period, are still accepted.
Minimum Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) Scores for various visa subclasses
CAE scores, also known as C1 Advanced scores, are highly regarded by universities for academic purposes and by immigration authorities for visa applications. Here’s how they are evaluated:
Universities:
- Individual Skill Scores: Universities look at the separate scores for reading, writing, listening, speaking, and use of English. These scores provide a clear understanding of a candidate’s performance in each area1.
- Overall Score: The overall score is an average of the five individual scores, which is also considered by universities when assessing a candidate’s language proficiency.
- CEFR Level: The scores correspond to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels. A score of 200–210 is graded as A at C2 level, 193–199 as B at C1 level, and 180–192 as C at C1 level. Scores of 160–179 are reported at the B2 level.
- Score Verification: Universities can verify CAE scores online using the candidate’s date of birth and reference number found on the Certificate or Statement of Results.
Immigration:
- Minimum Score Requirements: For Australian immigration, a minimum score of 185 in each of the four test components is required to prove proficient English.
- Paper-Based Test Recognition: From 12 February 2024, only results from the paper-based Cambridge C1 Advanced test will be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. Scores from both paper-based and computer-based tests taken before this date are still accepted within the respective visa validity period.
- Visa Application: The CAE score is accepted for various visa programs, including Student, Temporary Graduate, Skilled, Former Resident, and Work and Holiday visas.
It’s important for candidates to check with the specific university or visa program for the exact score requirements, as these can vary depending on the institution or the type of visa being applied for.
