English test exemptions for Australian visas: what they cover (and what they don't)
Which Australian visas exempt UK, US, Canadian, New Zealand and Irish passport holders from an English test — and why that exemption doesn't earn you skilled-migration points. Covers the 189, 190, 491, 186, student visa 500, and the 485's own score requirement. Figures as at September 2026.
Read the full guide, with official sources →
Watch
Chapters
- 0:00 5 passports skip some English tests — but not all
- 0:16 The 5 exempt passports
- 0:37 Exemption ≠ points
- 0:51 Which visas offer it
- 1:05 186 TRT stream: exemption removed 16 November 2019
- 1:24 Student visa 500: same 5 passports, no test evidence needed
- 1:35 Other student visa exemptions
- 1:52 BNO passport holders may still be asked for a test
- 2:02 485: 6.5 overall, no band below 5.5 — no passport exemption
- 2:20 No exemption? Sit an approved test
- 2:30 Always check your specific visa subclass on Home Affairs
- 2:40 Where to read more
Transcript
If you hold a passport from the UK, the USA, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland, some Australian visas let you skip the English test entirely. But that exemption doesn't work the way most people think.
The exemption covers five passports: the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland.
It means you're treated as meeting the visa's English requirement. You don't sit IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or any other approved test to satisfy that requirement.
Here's the critical point. The exemption satisfies the requirement, but it does not hand you the 10 points for Proficient English or the 20 points for Superior English on the points test. For those, you still need to sit a test.
The exemption applies to the Skilled Independent subclass 189, Skilled Nominated 190, Skilled Work Regional 491, and to the Employer Nomination Scheme subclass 186 — but only its Direct Entry stream.
That last part is the trap. The passport exemption was removed from the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the 186 on 16 November 2019. A UK, US, Canadian, New Zealand or Irish passport does not exempt a TRT applicant from sitting a test.
The student visa, subclass 500, has its own separate exemption. The same five passport holders don't need to give any English test evidence at all.
Other exemption categories apply to the student visa too — enrolling in a registered postgraduate research course, a standalone English course, a course taught in another language, five or more years studying in English in specified countries, or completing a Certificate 4 or higher in Australia.
One catch. Home Affairs notes it may still ask for test evidence from a British National Overseas passport holder, even though they hold a UK passport.
Some visas set their own English score instead of using this exemption at all. The Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485, needs IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 5.5, achieved in the 12 months before you apply — regardless of your passport.
If your passport isn't one of the five, you sit an approved test at a secure, in-person test centre. Results are valid for up to 3 years.
Exemption rules are set separately for every visa. Always check the Home Affairs page for your specific subclass before assuming one applies to your case.
The full guide, with the official sources, is on migratio.com.au. The link is in the description.
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