Immigration SA has announced it will accept two new additional English tests in line with a recent broadening of accepted assessment formats by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
South Australian state-nominated applicants will be able to take either the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) or Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL IBT) when being assessed on their English-language competency.
The International English Language Test System (IELTS) and Occupational English Test for health professionals will also continue to be accepted.
The move follows the Department’s decision to accept the two new test formats last month, breaking the IELTS’ controversial monopoly on the English assessment testing market.
English-language consultant, Rohan Feegrade, said the decision to accept the two new alternative systems would likely increase their use amongst local visa applicants.
‘With the impending opening up of the TOEFL and Pearson tests of English as recognised English language test, more students will be encouraged to pursue studying for and sitting these tests in addition to the ever popular IELTS,” he said.
“This will increase demand on test preparation workshops for students to seek out external assistance in helping them prepare to pass the tests.”
Included in the announcement is a change to the English assessment system, which a new classification system having been introduced.
Minimum English-language requirements for State Nominated occupations will now be classified as either Competent, Competent Plus or Proficient across all four assessment bands.
A table outlining the equivalent scores across the various English tests can be seen here.
*Source: Immigration SA website
