Yes, CELPIP is valid for Australia. The Department of Home Affairs accepts CELPIP General for visa applications when the test was taken on or after 7 August 2025 at a secure test centre. CELPIP Online is not accepted, and only the full CELPIP General test is listed, not CELPIP General LS. For skilled and permanent visas the result counts for 3 years. This guide gives the score you need for each English level and for the student visa, and what changed in August 2025.
What Is CELPIP?
Before we dive into the details, here is a quick information:
CELPIP stands for the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program. It tests four English skills: listening, reading, writing, speaking.
It has been used primarily for Canadian immigration, citizenship, and professional purposes.
It’s computer-delivered (in test centres), and designed to reflect everyday English usages.
What changed in August 2025:
From 7 August 2025, the Department of Home Affairs expanded its list of accepted English tests from five to nine. CELPIP General was added alongside LanguageCert Academic and the Michigan English Test; IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training are counted separately. The full list for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025: Cambridge C1 Advanced, CELPIP General, IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, LanguageCert Academic, Michigan English Test, OET, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT. Every test must be taken at a secure test centre; fully online versions, including CELPIP Online, are not accepted.
- IELTS
- PTE Academic
- TOEFL iBT
- Cambridge C1 Advanced
- OET
- LanguageCert Academic
- Michigan English Test (MET)
- CELPIP General
CELPIP score for Australian visas, by English level
| English level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | Typical use |
| Vocational | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | Some employer-sponsored and regional visas |
| Competent | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | Threshold for skilled visas (189, 190, 491) and most PR pathways |
| Proficient | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | Extra points in the skilled points test |
| Superior | 10 | 10 | 12 | 10 | Maximum English points in the skilled points test |
CELPIP score for the Australian student visa (Subclass 500)
For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, the student visa accepts CELPIP General at these overall scores:
| Test | Standard | With at least 10 weeks of ELICOS, Foundation or an eligible pathway program | With at least 20 weeks of ELICOS |
| CELPIP General | 7 | 6 | 5 |
| IELTS Academic or General Training | 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| PTE Academic | 47 | 39 | 31 |
How long is CELPIP valid for Australia?
A CELPIP General result is valid for an Australian skilled or permanent visa for 3 years from the test date, as long as the test was taken on or after 7 August 2025. A CELPIP test taken before that date cannot be used for any Australian visa, because CELPIP was not on the accepted list until then. Canada uses a 2-year window for the same test, so a result can be in date for Australia and out of date for IRCC at the same time.
Is CELPIP Online accepted in Australia?
No. Home Affairs does not accept any English test delivered completely online, so CELPIP Online results cannot be used for an Australian visa even though IRCC accepts them for Canada. Book the test-centre version. Only the full CELPIP General test is listed; CELPIP General LS, which covers listening and speaking only, is not accepted because every Australian English level requires all four components.
Before you book CELPIP for Australia
- Find the English level your visa subclass needs (Vocational, Competent, Proficient or Superior) and match it to the table above.
- Book the test-centre version of CELPIP General, not CELPIP Online and not General LS.
- Take the test on or after 7 August 2025 and within 3 years of your visa application.
- Expect results in 2 to 4 business days, which is useful if your invitation or course start is close.
- If you already hold an in-date IELTS or PTE Academic result that meets your level, you do not need CELPIP; it is an extra option, not a replacement.
CELPIP suits candidates who prefer a fully computer-based test with North American accents and everyday-English tasks. Candidates comfortable with PTE Academic or IELTS lose nothing by staying with them.
Advantages & Things to Watch Out of CELPIP for Australia
Advantages:
- More options: With CELPIP added, more people who maybe preferred its format (computer-based, familiar accent, test structure) get viable choices.
- Potentially quicker results: Because of its computer-based model and the way CELPIP is run, in many cases people report faster result turnaround vs some paper-based tests.
- Realistic English: CELPIP is often said to emulate “real life” English usage (everyday tasks, communication) which may suit some test-takers better.
Things to watch out:
- Score mapping: As CELPIP for Australia is newly introduced, you must understand how test scores translate to visa English levels.
- Older results: If you took CELPIP before August 2025, there’s a chance it won’t suffice or might be valid only for certain visa subclasses. Always check the date.
- Test availability: Check the availability depending on your location, booking slots might be limited
- Test format comfort: Computer-based means typing writing tasks, speaking into mics, etc. If you prefer paper or face-to-face speaking, that might be a factor.
What You Should Do
- If you’re planning for student visa: Now you can take CELPIP General (after 7 August 2025) to satisfy English requirements for many study visas (Subclass 500 and others), provided your institute accepts it (most likely do, since it’s government-approved).
- If you’re applying for skilled migration: Check what English standard is needed (Competent, Proficient, Superior). If your CELPIP score meets that (in all components), then good. If not, you might prefer another test. Also make sure your CELPIP test was taken in the correct format.
- If you already have a test result (IELTS / PTE etc.): If you are satisfied with those, there’s no need to rush to switch. CELPIP just gives more flexibility. But compare cost, convenience, how comfortable you are with each test’s format.
FAQs
Is CELPIP accepted in Australia?
Yes, the Department of Home Affairs accepts CELPIP General for visa applications when the test is taken on or after 7 August 2025 at a secure test centre. It sits alongside IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, C1 Advanced, LanguageCert Academic and MET.
What CELPIP score do I need for Australian PR?
What CELPIP score do I need for an Australian student visa?
How long is CELPIP valid for Australia?
A CELPIP General result is valid for 3 years from the test date for Australian skilled and permanent visas, provided the test was taken on or after 7 August 2025. Earlier CELPIP results are not accepted.
If you’re planning to take the CELPIP General test, start your preparation with Gurully. Our online practice platform offers full-length CELPIP mock tests with instant and accurate AI-scoring, help you track your progress effectively. Experience a real-time exam simulation that mirrors the actual test environment—so you can feel confident and exam-ready.
Also Read:
- CELPIP Vocabulary: Learn 150+ Words To Score High
- Decoding the CELPIP Score Chart – Set Yourself Up for 2025 Success
- PTE Score Changes for Australia Visa- Updated Requirements Explained
