‘NO ENGLISH, NO PERMANENT RESIDENCY’: NEW RULES FOR AUSTRALIAN PARTNER VISAS FROM LATE 2021

The Morrison Government has revived its push for migrants to demonstrate English language skills as they seek to maximise employment opportunities for new arrivals in a post-pandemic Australia.

Minister Tudge said the English language skills will empower migrants and protect them against family violence and exploitation at work once they start to live in Australia permanently.

“We also know that without sufficient English language skills, migrants are particularly vulnerable to family violence and other exploitation and are less likely to know how and where to seek assistance,” Minister Tudge said in a press release last month.

When will this new requirement come into effect?

The test which applies to both the applicant and their sponsor if they are a permanent resident rather than an Australian citizen will come into effect in late 2021.

Minister Tudge said both the prospective applicants and their sponsors will be required to have "functional-level English" or to demonstrate that they have made "reasonable efforts to learn English".

“People will be able to demonstrate this through, for example, the completion of 500 hours of free English language classes through the Adult Migration English Program (AMEP),” he said.

'No English, no permanent residency'

It is important to point out that as per the new policy, applicants and sponsors will NOT be required to demonstrate their English language competency at the time of lodgement of a provisional visa (309/820) but will have to demonstrate it at the time of applying for a permanent visa (100/801).

What is a ‘functional level’ of English?

While the government has not yet revealed the criteria for the English language requirement for partner visas, here’s what ‘functional’ English language means as per the Department of Home Affairs website.

In terms of language tests, a person’s English can be assessed as functional if they have scored an average band score of at least 4.5 based on the 4 test components in IELTS, an overall band score of at least 30 for each component in PTE, a total band score of at least 32 if they take TOEFL and an overall band score of at least 147 for each of the 4 components if they sit for CAE.

Source: SBS Punjabi

If you require any more info or need assistance with any visa type please get in touch with me at info@radiantmigration.com.au or visit www.radiantmigration.com.au and contact me via Contact us page.

Roshani Joshi

Registered Migration Agent; MARN: 2015750

Director

Radiant Migration Australia Pty Ltd

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