Changes to the time of provision of evidence of English language ability

There are new arrangements for the provision of evidence for English language ability. Applicants for the following GSM subclasses have until the time of decision to provide evidence of their English language ability.

• Skilled – Independent (Residence) visa (subclass 885)
• Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) visa (subclass 886)
• Skilled – Independent (Migrant) visa (subclass 175)
• Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) visa (subclass 176)
• Skilled – Provisional (Regional Sponsored) visa (subclass 475)
• Skilled – Provisional (Recognised Graduate) visa (subclass 476)
• Skilled – Provisional (Graduate) visa (subclass 485) (where the application was made on or after 27 October 2008).

Applicants should not delay in providing their evidence of English language ability. The department will not delay finalising applications where English language test results have not been provided at time of application. Applicants will have 28 days from the date of application to provide their English language results if they did not provide them at time of application. At this point in time, if evidence has not been provided the application will be refused.

There is no change in the requirements for Skilled – Provisional (Graduate) visa (subclass 485) where the application was made before 27 October 2008 or the Skilled Provisional (Regional Sponsored) visa (subclass 487). The applicant must either provide evidence of English language ability at time of application or provide evidence that they have made a booking to undertake an English language test